Travel as a teaching and learning tool

Throughout history, physicians have traveled extensively to acquire new knowledge or to learn the latest therapeutic techniques from colleagues and academicians. This "wanderlust" persists in many who want to understand the world around them and learn from others, physicians or nonphysicians. Before the era of instantaneous online telecommunication, dermatologists would enhance their education by traveling abroad to learn from world-renowned experts in Europe and elsewhere and return with a treasure trove of knowledge and new skills. With the Internet, webinars, and teledermatology, the attraction for travel has diminished, mainly due to our ever-increasing demanding world of obligations; however, face-to-face interaction with colleagues of a different culture and educational background still has an inexorable educational value. To facilitate such endeavors, many insightful educators have taken the opportunity to establish several international societies and academies, where on-site educational activities can take place. Currently, a few of the more active and popular dermatologic organizations that are conducting meetings around the world are the International League of Dermatologic Societies; International Society of Dermatology; North American Clinical Dermatologic Society; International Society of Dermatologic Surgery; International Academy of Cosmetic Dermatology; and European Society of Cosmetic and Aesthetic Dermatology, all of which exemplify "travel as a teaching tool."