If you are feeling guilty for taking your kids out of school for that family vacation, don’t. It might actually be making them smarter. According to a new survey commissioned by the Student and Youth Travel Association, travel has an extremely positive impact on students’ educational prospects, cultural awareness, and even their future careers. One thousand five hundred US-based teachers were polled in the survey, with 74 percent agreeing that travel has a “very positive impact on students' personal development,” and 56 percent believing that that positive impact extends to a student’s educational experience.⁠ ⁠ The majority of teachers surveyed agreed that children who travel have an increased tolerance and respect for other cultures and a greater willingness to try new things. Teachers also observed that kids who traveled were more likely to demonstrate higher self-esteem, independence, confidence, adaptability, and sensitivity when interacting with other children. Unsurprisingly, a ...