British Man Living in the United States Explains Why Americans Don’t Need to Be “Well Traveled”

"As an American. I’m shocked that it takes so little time to go from the UK to Germany and France."

Mustafa Gatollari - Author
By

Mar. 18 2024, Published 7:16 p.m. ET

Brit Explains Why Americans Aren’t “Well Traveled”
Source: Instagram | @imjoshfromengland2

"Some things are so big, you just have to witness it for yourself."

This could be a tagline for someone try to eat the Vermonster for the first time, or the type of film you'd probably watch by yourself with a pillow on your lap.

But for English social media influencer, Josh (@imjoshfromengland2) it sums up his impression after visiting the United States of America for several months.

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In a Instagram clip, he fights back against the notion that Americans are not "well traveled," stating that they very well are — just within their own country which is absolutely ginormous compared to many European nations.

In fact, the entire continent of Europe, which contains 44 separate countries as of this writing, isn't that much larger than the United States.

Josh says that he hasn't even "scratched the surface" of visiting everywhere in America, stating that each individual state is like its own country, and that comparing a European's ability to visit numerous countries is akin to Americans flying to different states, saying that within 45 minutes he can be in Amsterdam, or Germany, or France from the United Kingdom.

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Source: Instagram | @imjoshfromengland2

"Brit in America here and I now know why Americans aren't well traveled. Trust me they are 'well traveled' but there's a reason why. I've spent many months in America, like actively trying to get to as many states as possible in America," the British Influencer says.

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He continues, "And I haven't even scratched the surface. Americans don't need to venture outside America because America is that big. Americans go on vacation in America. In the UK back home, it can take me 45 minutes to get to France, Germany, right, Amsterdam, these are whole different countries across water, 45 minutes," he says.

"I just don't think Europeans are clued upon on how big America really is, like Americans don't need to venture out. You'll be surprised that a lot of Americans will not have passports, they don't need them. Every single state in America is like its own country — literally like its own country."

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why americans arent well traveled
Source: Instagram | @imjoshfromengland2

"Isn't like the UK where things are similar, in America you go to a different state it's like a whole different world. So now I get it why American's aren't 'well traveled' Americans are well traveled. Just in their own country. Their country is massive, mate. I don't think people really understand the scale and the size of America. It is insane."

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Josh's comments seem like a welcome reprieve from the social media feeds of jet setters who are constantly posting about their visits to other countries.

We've all met travel-obsessed people: folks whose personalities are deeply embedded in the fact that they think the more stamps they get on their passports that this automatically enlightens them into becoming better people.

They have a better understanding of the globe than you do because they've taken advantage of the economy of another part of the world and maybe partook in a little bit of animal subjugation by riding an elephant. Maybe they snap with grinning selfies with shoeless kids before getting food poisoning, snapping some pics from the gram and going back to a job they hate while uttering phrases like "Take me baaaaack" and "I need a vacation after my vacation lol."

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why americans arent well traveled
Source: Instagram | @imjoshfromengland2

While globetrotters who shirk their own long time personal dreams and think that constantly being on the move in beautiful destinations, which they can afford to do by performing a job the childhood versions of themselves would probably think was lame are common, that's not to say there aren't benefits to being well traveled.

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Doing so exposes to different points of view and may help you gain a greater appreciation for your own country — maybe visiting a place where tweeting your honest opinion of your country's leader could leader to your family getting slaughtered or thrown in concentration camps, could help you gain a greater appreciation for your own homeland.

why americans arent well traveled
Source: Instagram | @imjoshfromengland2
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There were throngs of other Instagram users\ who responded to Josh's video who agreed with his assessment. One person pointed out the fact that even within the Lone Star State that they could be driving for a very long time and still be within its borders: "I can drive for 12 hours and still be in Texas"

Another expressed just how shocked they were at how little time it takes for Europeans to travel from one country to another: "I know the point of this video is that Europeans will be shocked at how big America is and how far you can go while staying in the country, but as an American. I’m shocked that it takes so little time to go from the UK to Germany and France. For some reason, I thought in my head that it would take, like, AT LEAST 5 hours. Certainly not LESS THAN AN HOUR"

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why americans arent well traveled
Source: Instagram | @imjoshfromengland2

Someone else replied: "I'm in Florida and will literally vacation in other parts of Florida"

As a northern New Jersey resident, I can appreciate driving down to Stone Harbor or Cape May with my kids for a few days and it being an awesome vacation. No need to go through customs or drive on the opposite side of the road, either.

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