In an era where movement is easier than ever, defining what travel truly means has become both a philosophical and professional challenge. As part of our Assignment 1: Definition of Travel, students from the School of Travel Journalism were asked to craft a personal and theoretical vision of what travel represents to them — not only as individuals, but as future travel journalists.
The result? Eleven unique texts that go far beyond planes, backpacks, or Instagram-worthy destinations.
Travel as Personal Transformation
A recurring theme in many of the students’ submissions was the idea of travel as an act of personal discovery and transformation. Whether described as “a missing piece” (Torunn Seldal), “a way to become whole” or “the best school I’ve ever signed up for,” travel emerges as more than movement — it becomes meaning.
For many, stepping outside of one’s environment sparks creativity, introspection, and renewal. These definitions echo a deeper human need: to rediscover ourselves by navigating the unfamiliar.
Travel as Dialogue and Ethical Practice
Several students offered a more analytical perspective, seeing travel as a dialogue — between people, cultures, and ideas. As BinduSree Gondipalli wrote, “travel is a form of research that blends immersion with reflection.” This resonates strongly with today’s global challenges in tourism: authenticity, sustainability, and respect for local communities.
The concept of ethical travel — listening before telling, observing before writing — is increasingly vital in a saturated media landscape. Journalism is no longer about the exotic; it’s about giving voice to the overlooked, telling stories with care, and understanding the cultural responsibility of reporting.
Humor, Irony, and Breaking Routines
Some students stood out with a bold and personal tone. Fatma Büşra Çalış, for instance, used irony and wit to critique the routine of life and framed travel as a source of vitality and human connection. Her definition reminds us that journalism, too, must resist stagnation. To stay alive as storytellers, we must keep moving — not just physically, but ideologically.
Common Threads in Diverse Voices
Despite their diverse cultural backgrounds and writing styles, all eleven definitions share a few key traits:
- Curiosity as a driving force.
- A rejection of superficial tourism in favor of depth and authenticity.
- The understanding that travel reshapes the self — and therefore, reshapes the way stories are told.
For our students, travel journalism is not about listing landmarks. It’s about telling stories that matter, and finding those stories in places often ignored by mainstream narratives.
Why This Matters for Travel Journalism Today
In 2025, travel journalism needs voices that go beyond clichés and dive into the real impact of travel — on people, communities, and ecosystems. The future of the profession depends on writers who can see the world not just as a destination, but as a conversation.
These definitions show that our students aren’t just learning how to report. They’re learning how to observe with humility, connect with empathy, and write with purpose.
And that — more than any itinerary — is the journey worth taking.
