Planning a spring break trip? Take a cue from Chen Yong—his curiosity about the world fuels his mind, body, and sense of belonging.
As many people plan their spring break getaways, they often think of beach vacations or quick trips to relax. But for Chen Yong, travel is more than just a break—it’s a lifelong passion that has taken him across six continents, deepening his appreciation for diverse cultures and shaping his inclusive mindset.
Growing up in the small, rural Chinese village of Fuxingchang, Chen dreamed of traveling just the 10 kilometers to a nearby city—Jingzhou—where he wanted to purchase an apple.
That early curiosity about what was beyond the boundaries of his everyday life inspired a lifelong travel bug that is helping him build a more diverse mindset about the world around him and inspiring an overall healthy lifestyle.
Chen, a 22-year GE Appliances China team employee, says travel enriches his life experiences. In every trip he takes, Chen takes time to discover the area’s unique culture. “I like to meet different people in different countries and experience the local life,” he explains, noting that he usually travels solo, taking deep dives into each country’s culture by striking up conversations with taxi drivers, restaurant servers or others he encounters who speak English.
Exploring other cultures via international travel certainly expands your views on the world, but those interested in cultivating an inclusive world mindset can strive to do so without leaving their hometown. Consider following Chen’s lead by starting conversations with people you meet from other countries or attending local cultural events celebrating life outside your own country. “Reading may also be one of the best ways to understand the world better,” suggests Chen.
Chen took his first international trip in 1994 when he visited Germany for work. He recalls it being the first time he ever saw an automatic door. Since then, he’s gone as far as the summits of Mount Kilimanjaro and Kunlun Mountane and to “the end of the world,” located in Ushuaia at the very southernmost tip of Argentina. With every trip he takes, he’s inspired to travel more—and he always brings home a new memory or experience that helps fulfill his curiosity about the world.
Staying Fit for the Journey—And for Life
For Chen, travel inspires him to keep physically and mentally healthy, which in turn helps him at home and at work. “I need to keep a healthy body and mind to handle any possible uncertainty during traveling,” he explains.
Focusing on what he calls his “six sigma body,” Chen says he stays healthy by getting enough sleep, eating healthy, drinking plenty of water, and exercising daily with strength training and running. “My healthy body brings me at least three good characteristics,” he says of how his healthy habits make his work life and international travel easier. “I’m a clear thinker—focusing on the vital things to fix complicated problems; I act fast; and I am energetic.”
Mental health is also a priority, as Chen strives to avoid negativity in his life. “I just keep keen on working and trying to create value for the team and the company,” he says.
Taking time away from work and daily life in general is good for improving mental resilience. For Chen, travel gives him that opportunity, helping clear and reset his brain in ways that assist him on international adventures and when he’s back home. “Traveling to an unknown place drives my brain constantly, turning to deal with anything that may happen on the way,” he explains.
In his quest to explore the world, Chen says there is not one country he wants to see more than any other. His goal is to understand the world’s diversity, and it drives the same mental curiosity that sparked his early interest in seeing the (literal) fruits of the city just 10 kilometers away. “Every country is part of the world,” says the worldwide traveler. “And I’m interested.”
Want to travel … for less?
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