But who would finance these excursions?? Some countries cannot even fund their healthcare, infrastructure and/or social services let alone trips for young people. requirement is such a big thing and impossible to achieve for many.

And the travel is only a good thing if it is educational. If all the people do is visit tourist resorts and not interact with any locals, only others from their nation/group, they haven't really learned much beyond climate/weather differences between their nation and the resort's.

@demifeministgal Of course I’m talking theoretically...in an ideal world etc. I made the assumption that others here would understand that. I agree about travelling beyond tourist resorts...I was thinking more like the school exchange schemes which do already exist, where two children from different countries are matched up to host each other in their respective families on a reciprocal basis. Both of my sons did an exchange with French and German children.

@Marionville Too bad those school excursions are damn costly too. My university friend did one of those, but not with a family, but on her own, as in she had to find and pay for her own accommodations. She went to Australia. And yes, I knew you were being hypothetical. I was just thinking it through realistically and practically for ya.

How exciting! I envy you having lived the lifestyles of so many different places, and gotten to know so many interesting people.

When we were transferred to Ohio once, there were more people who didn't want to leave the state than anywhere I've ever been. I'm still stymied as to how they could know they wouldn't like somewhere else without having given it a try - some, not even for a vacation. I think that limited mindset gets more and more entrenched in your thinking the longer you live with it.

@Lauren I will say it is a hard life, and very hard on the kids. My oldest was very shy and starting with a new group of kids every time she had to change school was hard for her, but it made her a very competitive, driven student. But it also made my kids very savvy, very independent thinkers, and they are adventurous eaters! They love all sorts of ethnic foods. It made me an outspoken liberal and a great survivor. There are some really dark coping skills in there, but I'm proud of who I've become.

@HippieChick58 Being a survivor is an admirable and rare skill. I'm proud of you, too. I hope the repercussions are easier as time goes on.

I thought about joining the military so I could travel but I knew enough about my nature that the regimentation of the military and me would be a very bad fit.

@silverotter11 I totally understand. I was a poor fit, which is part of the reason I was more than happy to bail when the chance came up. Ex was actually a poor fit as well, but he had skills they needed. However, he was not given the opportunity to extend beyond his 20 years. He got his retirement, and I got my slice of it in the divorce.

What?! You don't like NYC?!

@Cutiebeauty love NYC! But way too expensive. I visit all the time.

But it is also a good way to leave some baggage behind and pick up new ones.