Mwalimu Rachel has encouraged her followers to embrace travel, describing it as one of the most effective ways to broaden perspectives and become more accepting of others. In what she jokingly referred to as her“Sunday sermon,”the Kiss 100 presenter delivered a simple but powerful message: According to Mwalimu Rachel, travelling is about much more than sightseeing or taking photos. She believes exposure to different cultures and ways of life transforms how people think and relate to others.
She noted that people who travel frequently often become less judgmental, not because they are naturally kinder, but because they realise there is no single definition of what is considered“Normal.” “People who have traveled a lot tend to judge less. Not because they became nicer, but because they’ve seen too many versions of what’s ‘normal.'
”Rachel pointed out that customs and traditions vary greatly across the world, with practices considered ordinary in one country appearing unusual in another. She cited examples such as cultures where eating with one’s hands is the norm, societies where dinner conversations are kept to a minimum, and others where hugging strangers is a common form of greeting. According to her, experiencing these cultural differences assists people understand that there are many valid ways of living.
“When you’ve seen 30 different versions of ‘the right way,’ you stop believing yours is the only one.” She added that this kind of exposure gradually breaks down personal biases and encourages people to appreciate diversity instead of insisting their own customs are the only correct ones. The radio host argued that while formal education teaches people where countries are located, travel offers lessons that cannot be learned in a classroom.
She believes that stepping into unfamiliar environments and experiencing life as an outsider fosters empathy, patience and understanding. “Travel doesn’t just teach geography. It teaches tolerance.”
Her remarks echo findings from various studies that suggest travel can positively influence emotional intelligence, adaptability and openness to different cultures, making it a valuable experience beyond leisure alone.