My Eat, Pray, Love moment happened while studying abroad. I experienced my first solo trip. Although I had many reasons to be anxious, all the worries and anxiety left the moment I began my journey. Here are some reasons as to why you should plan a solo trip and some tips to help you prepare for the experience of a lifetime.
Why Travel Solo?
1—Budgeting and planning are easier. You don’t have to depend on others, you can just plan out your dream destination and go for it.
2—Full immersion with the culture or environment. While traveling with friends is an amazing experience, traveling alone can also help you focus on the country and place you are in. You are even more likely to interact with locals and the culture. You can even practice and brush up on the foreign language class you were required to take in high school.
3—Your confidence will rise.
You will gain perspective in the way the societies work, the way you interact with people and the world. Your confidence is sure to increase once you’ve surpassed circumstances that may have seemed challenging at the moment. A solo trip is a perfect way to push yourself out of your comfort zone.
4—You’ll discover things about yourself and others. One of the biggest takeaways from my solo trip was how self-aware I became. I had a better understanding of myself and the aspirations I wanted to fulfill. I became knowledgeable about the way I think and considered how I want to interact with the world. By far, one of the most eye-opening experiences I have lived.
How to Prepare for Solo Trip?
1—Research is key. Look up food prices, Wi-Fi access, means of transportation, and any other areas you might need. Book your stay in advance and make sure you’re picking a place based on more than looks and price. The location should be at the top of your list. While Uber works in major cities, it can be quite expensive or slow. So make sure you’re staying in an area that caters to your interests. This will save you time and money.
2—Prepare. You can do this beforehand by having a few places in mind or things you want to try. If you are going to a country where you don’t speak the language, download a free language app and set your phone’s setting to that language. And make sure to change some currency before leaving, even if your bank allows you to withdraw money internationally.
During your trip, push yourself outside of your comfort zone. Taking Selfies, if not already a casual activity, will become instinct. With that said, take pictures but also know when to put the phone down. Have an adventure but also take the time to sit and think. Go, you owe it to yourself. Discover the world through your own lens!
Share your experiences and/or any other tips you may have by commenting below!
