Couldn't agree more as a traveler myself, I meet people everyhwere I go from all kinds of places and many of the locals too. To lead a life without a fixated desk job requires effort to survive. Courses are goo if they advance your knowledge in the field of your interest and help to improve the knowledge base of what you market; it can be used in your encounters.
Loved your article; whatever you do, do it with passion and sincerity:)