I'll have to agree absolutely with discovering other cultures and exploring and learning about them. I can't of course speak for 100% of the people on this website but for the most part as North Americans, Australians, or Kiwis we live in societies which are fairly homogeneous and similar if not the same from one end of the country to another. Contrast Europe, Asia and Africa where travelling the same distance from Boulder CO to say Detroit will plant you in an entirely different culture, language, point of view and way of life.
With an open mind, a taste for new experiances, and a general love of discovery, there are countless lessons to be learned about other peoples in this world who aren't American, Canadian, etc; who aren't English speakers and don't share the same views as you. Its very easy (and for new travellers) very enlightening, to open your mind and immerse yourself, if only for a little while in a cuture other than your own.
I have a thirst for knowledge and a taste for philosophy which can only come from experiencing diversity understanding, and explaining other points of view. Its so crucial in my opinion to travel and experience other cultures while we're still young and our opinions and points of view are still malleable. We have only to gain from the opportunity.
Our biggest hubris here in the west is imagining the world as a body politically and ideologically attatched to ours. Sure we have a catchy and contageous pop-culture and speak the international language of business, but thats in no way reason to assume superiority or arrogance. We're the part of the world stuck between two oceans and out of the way. On either side of us are cultures and experiences which even I still can't wait to break into and discover. We belong as PART of an international community and as a result I feel that discovery of our peers and neighbors worldwide with whom we as adults will be doing business and will be joined with through an ever expanding network of communications will not only make you a wiser person, but a more enlightened one.
TRAVEL! 