Americans in particular are myopic. They're not traveling as much. When you were a college student, the next thing you would do on graduation was to take a year off and travel. That's what I did. I went to Indonesia.

The quote "Americans in particular are myopic. They're not traveling as much. When you were a college student, the next thing you would do on graduation was to take a year off and travel. That's what I did. I went to Indonesia" is from Julie Taymor, an acclaimed American director and playwright. In this statement, Taymor comments on what she perceives as a shift in American attitudes toward travel and global exploration. She highlights how, in the past, it was common for students to take a gap year after graduation to travel and experience the world, an opportunity she herself took by visiting Indonesia.

Taymor’s mention of myopia reflects her view that many Americans today are focused on their immediate surroundings and are not engaging with the broader world in the same way that previous generations did. She implies that travel is an essential part of gaining a global perspective and that the act of exploring other cultures and environments can significantly shape a person’s life and understanding of the world. Her personal experience of traveling to Indonesia serves as an example of how this exposure can be a transformative experience.

The origin of this quote lies in Taymor’s own worldview and life experiences. As a filmmaker and artist, she is deeply influenced by the cultural and artistic diversity she encountered during her travels. She recognizes the value of travel as a means of expanding one’s horizons and pushing the boundaries of what is known, especially for young people on the verge of beginning their adult lives.

Ultimately, the quote is a call to reconsider the importance of global exploration and the impact it has on personal growth. Taymor suggests that the tradition of taking time off after graduation to travel is a vital experience that allows individuals to engage with the world in a way that is not just academic but deeply experiential. Through her own journey to Indonesia, she encourages others to embrace the opportunity for travel and discovery.