Many believe the current political climate of the world is increasingly unfavorable and unpredictable. Mounting tension between the United States and other nations, particularly following recent policy changes, has made some people have second thoughts about traveling abroad. Fear of international conflict, tighter border regulations, and the growing risk of being detained are among the many complex factors now dissuading travelers from embarking on international trips they once considered necessary.
America’s current relationship with bordering countries Mexico and Canada has been one of the latest topics of contention. Math and computer science teacher Rupli Satjia explained that with the United States’ strained relationships, some travelers may have to face additional obstacles in order to return to the country.
“I heard that Canada has changed their policy regarding accepting U.S. visitors. I do not know (if) Mexico did that yet,” Satija said. “I heard that one of the visitors went to visit Mexico and once they were coming back, they went through a lot of drilling (and) checking their paperwork even though they were citizens.”
Junior Eli Torres feels that the addition of heavier background checks and stricter TSA regulations have induced unnecessary anxiety for those who might want to travel outside of the U.S.
“I have a friend who was trying to go somewhere, but they’re scared they won’t come back. They’re scared of the new policies and everything,” Torres said. “If you don’t have a passport, I hear it’s gonna be harder to get one. Right now, (the government is) trying to make sure that everyone is a U.S. citizen, but they’re making it harder to become one.”
With the United States being well-known and influential, maintaining a favorable reputation is important to presenting a respectable front. Junior Elma Hidic, however, expressed concern over the attitude that President Trump’s administration is pushing for the U.S. to purport.
“I think that with President Trump in office, there’s more of this idea of a patriotic feeling in the United States. I think some (foreign nations) feel intimidated by that nationalism in a way,” Hidic said. “A more conservative president will probably make them feel more threatened.”
Torres, however, thinks foreign nations will not focus on feeling hostile toward the U.S. government but pity for the governed people.
“I feel like people around the world know that it’s not the citizens’ fault and that (it’s) Trump’s fault, so you didn’t do anything wrong,” Torres said. “I think they just feel bad for American citizens because they’re like, ‘Oh, you don’t want that President, but you’re having to deal with all these consequences.’”
While some believe travel today is not worth the potential risks, the current political climate is not entirely new. ASL teacher Aimee Holcombe believes that people are perfectly able to travel as long as one remains informed and practices caution.
“There’s (not) any difference between this time period and any other time period. There’s always something going on. There’s never gonna be peace in the world,” Holcombe said. “I don’t think people are going to go somewhere where it’s going to be too risky. They’re going to go somewhere they want to vacation. It’s just pick your policy, pick your country. It’s always changing.”
Satija had thoughts of traveling to her home country of India over summer, but the present global political climate has shifted her plans. She believes some current affairs are meaningless and only contribute to turmoil around the world.
“It feels like chaos everywhere, in different countries, with the war (in India and Pakistan) going on. It’s like why are we fighting? We don’t need to fight (like) this,” Satija said. “Lives are getting lost because of that. We are not gonna gain anything. The real policy is ‘Live and let live,’ and that is disappearing everywhere.”