Watch the Video
Listening Exercise
Listen and fill in the blanks:
Host (Brian): "Alright, in today’s conversation, we have two friends—Lisa and Mark—talking about whether traveling is beneficial for young people. Lisa believes that travel is an essential part of growing up, while Mark thinks there are other priorities to on. Let’s listen to what they have to say."
Lisa: I just got back from my trip to Italy, and let me tell you, Mark, it was an eye-opener! I feel like I’ve grown so much just from experiencing a new . It really broadened my horizons.
Mark: I’m glad you had a good time, Lisa, but do you really think traveling is that big of a ? I mean, sure, you get to see new places, but is it really necessary, especially when you're young? Shouldn’t we focus more on studying or building a career first?
Lisa: I get your point, but traveling doesn’t mean you're not being . It’s not just about ticking places off a list. When you travel, you’re stepping out of your comfort zone. You learn how to deal with different situations, meet people from all walks of life, and it forces you to become more independent. It’s like gaining life skills you can’t pick up from a textbook. Plus, experiencing different cultures can really open your mind in ways you wouldn’t expect. It’s not just about the places, it’s about the people, the customs, even the way of thinking. You come back with a new perspective.
Mark: I guess there’s some truth to that, but it’s ! Most young people can’t afford to travel without breaking the bank. And let’s face it, not everyone has the luxury of dropping everything and taking off. Don’t you think it’s more practical to save money, work hard, and build a stable life first?
Lisa: True, travel does cost money, but it doesn’t always have to be about expensive trips. There are ways to travel on a budget, like staying in hostels, backpacking, or even working part-time while traveling. Have you ever heard of programs like Workaway or volunteering abroad? You can actually work while you explore new places, which helps keep the costs down. And honestly, I think of it as an investment in . The experiences I’ve gained are priceless, whether it’s learning a new language, making connections, or just getting out of my bubble. It’s like the return on investment shows up in ways you can’t predict.
Mark: Yeah, but what if something goes while you're traveling? Like, traveling alone and you run into a difficult situation. I mean, doesn’t that stress you out? There’s so much uncertainty, and what if you end up stuck in a foreign country?
Lisa: That’s actually part of the ! Dealing with the unexpected is how you grow. Sure, things don’t always go as planned, but that’s where the real learning happens. You learn how to problem-solve on the go, and honestly, those moments are often the most memorable. For example, I got lost in Rome one night—my phone died, I didn’t speak much Italian, and at first, I panicked. But then I figured it out, asked for directions, and ended up having the best conversation with a local who walked me back to my hotel. That’s the kind of experience that teaches you resilience. Every problem you solve makes you stronger and more adaptable. I think those challenges are what make traveling so valuable.
Mark: I see where you’re coming from, but I still think it’s not for everyone. Some people would rather focus on building their future first and traveling later when they’re more financially secure or when they’ve settled down. Don’t you think there’s some value in waiting until the right ?
Lisa: I hear you, Mark, but the thing is, life is unpredictable. If we always wait for the 'perfect time,' it might never . And while there’s nothing wrong with focusing on building your career, traveling while you’re young gives you a different perspective on the world. It can shape your future in ways you didn’t expect. I mean, you can find inspiration for your career or business ideas from the places you visit, or even meet people who could help you in the future. You don’t have to put your life on hold to travel, and it’s about balance, really. You can build your career and travel at the same time, even if it's just small trips in between jobs or study breaks.
Mark: Fair point. I guess it does come down to personal . It’s just hard to see myself dropping everything to go travel right now. Maybe I’ll take the plunge and try it out one day. Who knows?
Lisa: You should! Once you start, you might not want to . Trust me, it’s a game-changer. And it doesn’t have to be a grand trip around the world. Even exploring nearby countries or just visiting a new city can give you that sense of adventure. You never know how it’ll impact you until you experience it.
Mark: Yeah, maybe a short trip would be a good way to . I’ll think about it. It sounds like it really changed your perspective.
Lisa: It did! And you’ll be surprised at how much you learn about yourself along the way. You discover strengths you didn’t know you , and you get a clearer idea of what you want in life. Plus, the memories you make are worth every penny.
Mark: Alright, you’ve convinced me to at least consider it. Maybe next year I’ll start planning something. Just a short trip, like you . I could use a break from the daily grind anyway.
Lisa: That’s the spirit! Start small, and who knows? You might catch the travel bug and never look back. Just remember to enjoy the journey and keep an open . The world has so much to offer.
Answer Key:
- 1. focus
- 2. culture
- 3. deal
- 4. productive
- 5. expensive
- 6. myself
- 7. wrong
- 8. adventure
- 9. moment
- 10. come
- 11. preference
- 12. stop
- 13. start
- 14. had
- 15. said
- 16. mind
Transcript:
Host (Brian): "Alright, in today’s conversation, we have two friends—Lisa and Mark—talking about whether traveling is beneficial for young people. Lisa believes that travel is an essential part of growing up, while Mark thinks there are other priorities to focus on. Let’s listen to what they have to say."
Lisa: I just got back from my trip to Italy, and let me tell you, Mark, it was an eye-opener! I feel like I’ve grown so much just from experiencing a new culture. It really broadened my horizons.
Mark: I’m glad you had a good time, Lisa, but do you really think traveling is that big of a deal? I mean, sure, you get to see new places, but is it really necessary, especially when you're young? Shouldn’t we focus more on studying or building a career first?
Lisa: I get your point, but traveling doesn’t mean you're not being productive. It’s not just about ticking places off a list. When you travel, you’re stepping out of your comfort zone. You learn how to deal with different situations, meet people from all walks of life, and it forces you to become more independent. It’s like gaining life skills you can’t pick up from a textbook. Plus, experiencing different cultures can really open your mind in ways you wouldn’t expect. It’s not just about the places, it’s about the people, the customs, even the way of thinking. You come back with a new perspective.
Mark: I guess there’s some truth to that, but it’s expensive! Most young people can’t afford to travel without breaking the bank. And let’s face it, not everyone has the luxury of dropping everything and taking off. Don’t you think it’s more practical to save money, work hard, and build a stable life first?
Lisa: True, travel does cost money, but it doesn’t always have to be about expensive trips. There are ways to travel on a budget, like staying in hostels, backpacking, or even working part-time while traveling. Have you ever heard of programs like Workaway or volunteering abroad? You can actually work while you explore new places, which helps keep the costs down. And honestly, I think of it as an investment in myself. The experiences I’ve gained are priceless, whether it’s learning a new language, making connections, or just getting out of my bubble. It’s like the return on investment shows up in ways you can’t predict.
Mark: Yeah, but what if something goes wrong while you're traveling? Like, traveling alone and you run into a difficult situation. I mean, doesn’t that stress you out? There’s so much uncertainty, and what if you end up stuck in a foreign country?
Lisa: That’s actually part of the adventure! Dealing with the unexpected is how you grow. Sure, things don’t always go as planned, but that’s where the real learning happens. You learn how to problem-solve on the go, and honestly, those moments are often the most memorable. For example, I got lost in Rome one night—my phone died, I didn’t speak much Italian, and at first, I panicked. But then I figured it out, asked for directions, and ended up having the best conversation with a local who walked me back to my hotel. That’s the kind of experience that teaches you resilience. Every problem you solve makes you stronger and more adaptable. I think those challenges are what make traveling so valuable.
Mark: I see where you’re coming from, but I still think it’s not for everyone. Some people would rather focus on building their future first and traveling later when they’re more financially secure or when they’ve settled down. Don’t you think there’s some value in waiting until the right moment?
Lisa: I hear you, Mark, but the thing is, life is unpredictable. If we always wait for the 'perfect time,' it might never come. And while there’s nothing wrong with focusing on building your career, traveling while you’re young gives you a different perspective on the world. It can shape your future in ways you didn’t expect. I mean, you can find inspiration for your career or business ideas from the places you visit, or even meet people who could help you in the future. You don’t have to put your life on hold to travel, and it’s about balance, really. You can build your career and travel at the same time, even if it's just small trips in between jobs or study breaks.
Mark: Fair point. I guess it does come down to personal preference. It’s just hard to see myself dropping everything to go travel right now. Maybe I’ll take the plunge and try it out one day. Who knows?
Lisa: You should! Once you start, you might not want to stop. Trust me, it’s a game-changer. And it doesn’t have to be a grand trip around the world. Even exploring nearby countries or just visiting a new city can give you that sense of adventure. You never know how it’ll impact you until you experience it.
Mark: Yeah, maybe a short trip would be a good way to start. I’ll think about it. It sounds like it really changed your perspective.
Lisa: It did! And you’ll be surprised at how much you learn about yourself along the way. You discover strengths you didn’t know you had, and you get a clearer idea of what you want in life. Plus, the memories you make are worth every penny.
Mark: Alright, you’ve convinced me to at least consider it. Maybe next year I’ll start planning something. Just a short trip, like you said. I could use a break from the daily grind anyway.
Lisa: That’s the spirit! Start small, and who knows? You might catch the travel bug and never look back. Just remember to enjoy the journey and keep an open mind. The world has so much to offer.
