Traveling can be quite the enriching experience. Whether it is simply just visiting friends and family in another state, or gazing in awe at one of the legendary wonders of the world, it is an excellent opportunity to get to know one’s self and surroundings more intimately. Traveling also bestows new perspectives on the individual traveler, because there is no better way to become acquainted with a foreign land than by immersing oneself in the culture. And one of the foremost reasons to travel is that you truly discover a lot about yourself. Far from home and left to fend for yourself, you learn more about your character than anywhere else; and subsequent changes begin to occur within that could never have been brought about otherwise.

Such is the case with Gandhi, who relinquished everything he knew at the age of nineteen in order to attend law school. Yet upon his return to India it was clear that his temporary stay in England had left an indelible mark on his persona; highlighted by the fact that the unsure, young Gandhi that once was had now been replaced by an educated man with a much stronger sense of purpose in life. But what had happened during Gandhi’s stay in England that could have caused such a radical change?

His experiences with organizing a vegetarian society, overcoming his fear and learning to speak in public, becoming acquainted with other religions, and meeting new and interesting people all shaped Gandhi over time. But it was the traveling abroad that gave Gandhi the chance to participate in and learn from all that England had to offer. By traveling to England he presented himself with this opportunity by bringing the culture to himself. Had he not traveled, he would not have subjected himself to challenges of his own personal belief system. Thus, he would have remained firmly cemented in his viewpoints on certain subjects and would therefore not have had the personal growth that he did.

One such aspect of the English culture that truly struck Gandhi and influenced him largely was the Christian institution. Originally apprehensive towards Christianity, Gandhi gradually became more and more inclined towards it. He met Christian contacts while at prayer meetings, and had meetings every Sunday with Mr. Coates where Gandhi would “discuss with him the books I had read and the impression they had left on me.” And during his spare time from studies of the law Gandhi began to delve into studies of the Bible, the Christian holy book. Gandhi still had difficulty “with regard to the Bible and its accepted interpretation,” but he eventually came across Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. This affected him significantly, and he said so himself that it “went straight to my heart.” He also pointed out, “renunciation [as] the highest form of religion appealed to me greatly.” In accordance with my previous knowledge of Gandhi and his practice of nonviolent and passive resistance (later known as Satyagraha), these statements appear to be very significant in the development of Gandhi’s character. Had Gandhi not traveled to England, perhaps he would not have been around Englishmen who would have exposed him to Christianity and allowed him to make a profound discovery such as this. Even in South Africa, where Gandhi “had gone to South Africa for travel, for finding an escape from Kathiawad intrigues and for gaining my own livelihood” he instead eventually “found myself in search of God and striving for self-realization.” And without Gandhi’s spiritual development in the realm of Satyagraha, his methods to eventually fight for the rights of Indians under the domineering British Empire might have been strikingly different, and possibly not as successful with a potentially different end result.

Another significant contribution to Gandhi’s metamorphosis would be his prolonged stay in South Africa. Now in possession of a barrister’s degree, Gandhi was able to set up his own practice in South Africa and to carry out the law as best as he knew how to as a result of his high English education. This was the first time, and certainly not the last, that Gandhi was able to fight for what he thought was right. He also further developed his intrapersonal and leadership capabilities as he was a prominent figure in both Congress and the Education Society, and made connections with such individuals as Adamji Miyakhan and Parsi Rustomji; two individuals “who also commanded the regard of the Indian community.” Also, whilst still in South Africa, Gandhi believed at the time “that in order to look civilized, our dress and manners had as far as possible to approximate the European standard.” Over time, however, after Gandhi’s personal experiences with the degrading treatment of Indian’s by Europeans, thoughts of abolishing his connections with European contemporary society began to arise. This was a significant change in Gandhi’s outlook and was a precursor of things to follow, where Gandhi would fight to the death for Indian sovereignty from England.

Among many other transformations that Gandhi experienced, one major change in particular is in relation to his separation from his wife. While together, his “carnal desire” got the better of him. Yet distance began to clear his cloudy mind and lifted the veil, whereupon he began to love his wife out of love and no longer out of lust. His renunciation of sex, what he called Brahmacharya, was a huge step for Gandhi; and one that he followed unfettered until his untimely death. Gandhi once said, “Numerous examples have convinced me that God ultimately saves him whose motive is pure.” And now that Gandhi’s mind was pure and no longer tainted with lust, he was finally able to focus his mental energies towards what really needed to be done: the fight for equal rights of Indians in both South Africa and India alike.

Gandhi can link much of his own internal transformations to his time abroad, exposing himself to cultures vastly different than India, which eventually culmintaed in his struggle against the British Empire.  Although traveling is not absolutely necessary, it certainly has the potential to be a catalyst to bring about a transformation within an individual – much like Gandhi. What really causes the transformations, however, are the experiences that an individual has. And it is these experiences that are the true reasons one transforms, which inevitably come with time. However, changes can not occur within an individual without the desire for change. If that desire is not present, and the individual is not open-minded, then one can not embrace change. Both the desire from within to change and new experiences are what impacts an individual most significantly. Lack of travel, on the other hand, is lack of experience; and lack of experience can propagate ignorance. In a time where the world is a much smaller place because of technology, traveling would be the best remedy to this most common affliction, because ignorance is the bane of this world.

In conclusion, Gandhi’s transformations led to worldwide reformation during his time and continue even today. Gandhi once said to “be the change that you want to see in this world.” A better appreciation of other people and their cultures, and realizing that we all live on the same planet, can promote good will between nations. And as a whole we can transform this world into a better place to live, if we so desire to be that change that Gandhi lived, fought, and died for.