Last Updated on August 27, 2025

Immersive travels are experiential travels that emphasize cultural sensations, deep learning and personal growth. As a mental health advocate and an immersive travel enthusiast, I will deep dive into my overall travel experience from childhood to adulthood.

Do you remember the good old times? Over two decades ago, travelling while filming was purely out of love and strictly reserved for family members. However, due to the rise of social media, influencers have redefined what travelling is.

The reason why I am writing this article is that I couldn’t help noticing the hospitality and tourism industry has become more business-oriented than ever. Hotels or even some local governments hire influencers to showcase what a luxurious – in most cases – life looks like.

With that in mind, I want to invite you to reflect on your personal experience after reading this article. Ask yourself: What does travel mean to you? Why do you travel? How do you travel?

family Influence: every experience is a learning Opportunity

I am an avid reader, but I am also an outdoorsy type. Thanks to my maternal family’s collective efforts, I was given something precious that I still cherish very much to this day, despite facing a difficult conundrum growing up.

Based on my personal experience, city people’s regular summer and winter vacations usually include indoor activities, like hanging out with friends at each other’s homes, watching the latest (usually) Hollywood blockbuster movies, and TV shows, gaming and what have you.

On the contrary, I spent most of my summer and winter vacations on a few immersive travels with my family and/or our family friends.

Each year, my maternal family would visit an extended family. My cousins and I would gather together and play with fireworks in the middle of the farmland owned by them.

I wish my friends and paternal family from the city could see me with such great joy – a different version of me. A version they have never seen before.

In fact, I learned to appreciate these new experiences. I was anxious about playing with fireworks at the beginning and I still remember the first time I was chased by chickens – that was NOT fun whatsoever.

All things considered, these experiences made me who I am today. A person who is willing to learn new things and respect different cultures.

the introduction to Immersive travels

I am not certain whether travelling is a hobby of one of my aunts’, but she was the brain behind all the immersive travels. She planned the details and sent them off to others.

Each travel agenda was meticulously crafted based on some levels of personal preferences and an implied collective agreement. My aunt’s travel plans always focus on cultural sensations. Each trip was designed for educational and informational purposes. We gained valuable knowledge through interesting activities, from visiting historical sites to experiencing hot springs.

Food was an essential element of each immersive trip in my aunt’s book. She did extensive research and always made sure we were able to try fresh, unique and/or local foods, such as the aboriginal cuisines and fusion foods made by recent immigrants, such as Southeast Asian delicates.

As a child, I never understood why she spent so much of her private time planning and organizing these trips every year. When I chose to become a volunteer and an advocate for people with additional support, I too never questioned myself “why”.

Her kindness helped other families – who may not otherwise have access to relevant resources or budgets – step out of their comfort zones. Because of these trips, many of us who only met once a year were able to connect on a deeper level. This was one of the many reasons why I fell in love with immersive travel.

how I became an immersive traveller

Through various lengths of immersive travels, I learned that there is a whole world out there waiting for me.

I was never good at “History” and “Geography”, and it caused me trouble from Grade 7 to Grade 12. Surprisingly, I found the reason for it while I was on family trips organized by my aunt. It turned out I learned best by being a part of an experience.

My aunt’s motto is “Work Hard, Play Hard”. Not only did she live her values but she indirectly helped me find my own path. I cannot speak for others, but I was greatly inspired by her, her family and the way they lived their lives. I looked up to their family values very much – “experience life and let your heart guide you”.

While others are “saving up for the future”, they have lived in the present. Travelling is never about spending, it is about how much the learning experience you gained mentally, physically and/or spiritually after each trip.

I once admired their courage and adventurous spirits, but now I am living these values. I learned firsthand senses and emotions are intertwined during childhood. When I feel, see, touch or smell something, it triggers my muscle memory. Becoming an immersive traveller not only challenges my status quo but also expands my horizon.

Was it where I got my courage from? I stepped out of my silos and I went on a long journey on my own many years ago. Whoever instilled faith in me shaped my mindset and propelled me towards my goals.

backpacking and budget travels

I didn’t only enjoy backpacking and budget travels in my early 20s. I truly embraced the challenges of each budget travel. The experience helps me stabilize my mood and increase my mental health. This is the power of people, community and nature and an important source of happiness. Check out Berelevant Network’s latest podcast, What is “Happiness” to you?

For my very first solo trip to New York, I turned to Airbnb, like many other cost-conscious travellers. The platform has drastically changed since it was first launched. Although the idea was refreshing, the system had many loopholes back in its early days.

I met with my first conundrum while travelling alone – it was so unbearable that I texted my roommate at that time I was ready to go home.

The host was communicative, but neither could I sleep nor feel safe to shower. With over 10 people (mixed genders) sharing one bathroom – and the lock was broken – it was enough for me.

Alarmingly, I saw people camping in the backyard.

Luckily, my friend was there for business. They booked another hotel and let me crash at their place. I cried during my shower. I couldn’t believe I put myself through such an ordeal.

Ever since that horrifying incident, I have never travelled on such a low budget in North America. I paid the price and learned my lesson. With hindsight, I should have factored in the local economy and currency exchange rate.

From my experience, maximizing a small budget is far more feasible when traveling to Southeast Asia, including but not limited to Cambodia, Vietnam and Malaysia. A few years ago, I once discovered a great deal in a budget-friendly 3-star hotel for US$5 per person per night with a private room, swimming pool and breakfast in Cambodia.

“Travel light but smart” is my philosophy of travel.

immersive travel is a lifesaver

Being close to nature, appreciating new experiences, and learning from people and local communities excites, inspires and empowers me to live my life to the fullest.

Although Immersive travel was a concept first introduced by my aunt, it has slowly become my way of living. Not only has it been one of the most effective ways for me to learn and grow as a person but also been a crucial part of healing in my life.

Travel is also my medicine. It not only cheers me up whenever I feel I am not myself but also enlightens me in every way. When I am challenged by new experiences, I just listen, do research and ask questions.

“Cultural shock” is a disrespectful way to describe an unfamiliar experience in my viewpoint, so I never used this term. When no culture is better or worse than another, does it matter how others live their lives? What matters most is not how, but why.

takeaway

When you are willing to accept new perspectives and learn from different groups of people, you will realize the best way to stay healthy is to be around nature and people.

Have you been to an all-inclusive resort for a few days, but ended up disputing for the hidden fees? I’ve been there, done that. Therefore, the most exhilarating journey to me is not necessarily an epic trip, like reaching a destination with a 20-hour drive. Because immersive travel is not about distance, but personal growth and learning opportunities.

May you feel the joy I feel while travelling!