"There is no foreign land; it is the traveler only that is foreign"

The heart of this quote lies in the idea that the feeling of foreignness doesn’t come from the land itself but from the traveler’s perspective. In simpler terms, it's not the place that feels strange; it's us who feel out of place because we're the ones who are different. Every land is home to someone, with its own culture, norms, and routines that are perfectly ordinary to the locals.

Think about when Robert Louis Stevenson, the author, might have felt this way. During the 19th century, travel wasn’t as common as it is today. Journeying to a new country meant immersing yourself in a completely different world. Stevenson traveled extensively, and this quote likely came from his own experiences of stepping into other cultures and realizing that his feeling of being an outsider was all about him, not the place.

Let’s dive into a real-life example. Picture a college student from the U.S. named Emily who decides to spend a semester studying in Japan. When she first arrives, everything seems alien — the language, the food, the social customs. She struggles to order food, navigate the train system, and even greet people properly. But as she spends more time there, something magical happens. She starts to pick up the language, makes friends with her classmates, and finds her favorite ramen shop. By the end of the semester, she’s navigating Tokyo like a pro. What changed? Not Japan — it was Emily. She adapted, learned, and grew.

So, how can we apply this wisdom in our own lives? Simple: when you’re somewhere new and everything feels strange, remember it’s not the place — it’s just that you’re not used to it yet. Be open to learning and adapting. Embrace the differences rather than seeing them as barriers. Make an effort to understand the local customs and try to fit in.

Imagine you’ve just started a new job in a different industry. On your first day, the acronyms people throw around sound like a foreign language. The office culture is totally different from your last job. It’s easy to feel out of place and overwhelmed. But if you take a step back and remind yourself that the company isn’t the problem — it’s just that you’re the newcomer — you can start to approach things differently. Ask questions, be observant, and give yourself time to adjust.

Here’s a story to illustrate this concept further. My friend Alex moved from a small town in Texas to New York City. At first, he was overwhelmed by the fast pace, the crowds, and the noise. He felt completely out of place. But instead of retreating, he decided to dive in. He started going to local cafés, attending community events, and even joined a running group. Over time, he made friends, found his favorite spots in the city, and New York began to feel like home. The city didn’t change; Alex did.

So, next time you find yourself in unfamiliar territory, whether it’s a new country, a new job, or a new social circle, remember: you’re the one who’s foreign. Give it time, and you’ll adapt. And who knows? You might just find yourself feeling at home in the most unexpected places.