Welcome to the TravelPod forums

[emmajoan]

Hey life questions are soo hard ..im in dire need of some good advice from anyone who understands... i graduated from high school a couple months ago and am now a freshman in college. Which..im still living at home i didnt take the major move of the dorm life because i wasnt sure college was right for me. I didnt want to waste thousands of dollars to find college isnt what i needed right now. I have the need to get out there and see some life outside of this small town in PA. By getting out i mean...travel outside of the U.S.! Learn different languages cultures..meeting awsome people! But where should i go?? I'm an 18 year old female with like no travel experience..never been on a plane..and iv never left the country....but i REALLY want to! any suggestions??

[sianeth]

Europe? Friendly enough for a girl to travel around on her own, easy to get around, plenty of accomodation, and the opportunity to experience vastly different cultures in a close proximity to one another and to meet all sorts of people. How much money do you have though? Western Europe is relatively expensive travelling wise.

[wakingdream]

Southeast Asia can also be a great choice. Fairly inexpensive, well-traveled with plenty of opportunities to meet other like-minded people, great infrastructure in most countries making it easy to get around, fantastic culture and lots of fun things to do of all kinds. Tour cities, relax on beaches or travel in more rural areas.

It might seem a bit scary at first but you'll adjust if your passion is to get out and see a bit more of the world. Have you got anywhere particular in mind?

[emmajoan]

Europe? Friendly enough for a girl to travel around on her own, easy to get around, plenty of accomodation, and the opportunity to experience vastly different cultures in a close proximity to one another and to meet all sorts of people. How much money do you have though? Western Europe is relatively expensive travelling wise.

I've heard Europe was a good place to travel...then like you said ive heard its expensive. As of now i have a little over $2,000. I doubt it's enough to go even for like a week. Tho I'm planning on taking a semester off to work full time. How much should i save before i leave to go anywhere?

[emmajoan]

Southeast Asia can also be a great choice. Fairly inexpensive, well-traveled with plenty of opportunities to meet other like-minded people, great infrastructure in most countries making it easy to get around, fantastic culture and lots of fun things to do of all kinds. Tour cities, relax on beaches or travel in more rural areas.

It might seem a bit scary at first but you'll adjust if your passion is to get out and see a bit more of the world. Have you got anywhere particular in mind?

Great thank you. Well ive always wanted to go to India and i havent a doubt i will some day. But i thought since its my first trip i should go some place where english is the main language.

[Paul]

Hi - yep - go travel great idea.
Go somewhere where English is the main language - I strongly disagree.
Plus you also said yourself that one aim was to see different things and learn a language - you won't achieve much of that in London or Sydney.

English language might be a factor in deciding where to go but it should be a minor one.

Example:
If you go somewhere with no English, no polite people, it is expensive, dangerous, and not beautiful - then, yes that sucks.

If you go somewhere where everyone speaks English, no polite people, it is expensive, dangerous, and not beautiful - then it still sucks, only you understand it.

If you go somewhere where there is little or no English, most people are polite and happy and friendly, it is cheap, safe, and the scenery is stunning - then that is a great trip, and you'll have fun using body language, sign language, drawing pictures, and learning the local language as well.



So go to the place that interests you. Don't be fooled into thinking the ability to speak English has anything to do with people's civilization, politeness, humanity, compassion, friendliness, welcomness, etc. It does not. (and is often the opposite).


Oh, and regarding India - there is so much English spoken there. Lots. It is very easy for an English speaking person to get around (well, "very easy" might be an exaggeration).

Anyway - good luck.

[sianeth]

Europe? Friendly enough for a girl to travel around on her own, easy to get around, plenty of accomodation, and the opportunity to experience vastly different cultures in a close proximity to one another and to meet all sorts of people. How much money do you have though? Western Europe is relatively expensive travelling wise.

I've heard Europe was a good place to travel...then like you said ive heard its expensive. As of now i have a little over $2,000. I doubt it's enough to go even for like a week. Tho I'm planning on taking a semester off to work full time. How much should i save before i leave to go anywhere?

Depends how long you want to go for! Flights are usually the main expense though, if you're going long-haul, which I guess Europe is, although fares from London to New York are pretty cheap nowdays - I'm guessing US 500 return? Hostel accomodation in Western Europe would maybe be $20-25 a night (forgive the makeshift currency conversion in my head!)... Scandinavia is more expensive. There are loads of rail pass options for travelling through countries - take a look: http://www.seat61.com/Europe.htm

Once you're there you can really make it as cheap or expensive as you like - if you're cooking and eating backpacker food then it should be pretty cheap, but eating out will be more expensive, and it depends what you choose to do while you're there. Europe is mainly city based so you can get by pretty cheaply just walking around and taking in the sights, visiting museums and suchlike. Once you get into Eastern Europe I hear things are alot cheaper aswell, although there maybe some language issues - I haven't been myself so I'm not really sure.

[rbisset]

Flights to/from UK and USA are pretty cheap for medium haul now. I saw a return flight with US Airways London Gatwick to JFK next month for £190! LA was only £230. Compare that with a few extra hours (ie LDN-Bangkok) and you're looking at £500 return!

[porrige]

I'd also recommend South East Asia, I did it alone a couple of years ago. It's super cheap, the people are amazingly friendly and most of them speak enough English to get by anyway. Thailand or Singapore is a good starting point to get used to it, you'll meet loads of like-minded travellers and lots of others travelling alone. You'll probably find that you're not alone for long anyway, there is so much to see - I want to go back now!

[wakingdream]

So go to the place that interests you. Don't be fooled into thinking the ability to speak English has anything to do with people's civilization, politeness, humanity, compassion, friendliness, welcomness, etc. It does not. (and is often the opposite).

Nicely worded. So true.

I can understand how going to a place where English is not the main language could be intimidating but that being said, there's alot to gain in many aspects. Besides, you'll likely get onto a fairly well-traveled circuit wherever you choose to visit and from there you'll meet plenty of other English speaking travelers. Many 'exotic' places have a well beaten path.

Europe seems to be the most popular choice among first-time long haulers

How much should i save before i leave to go anywhere?

You've got to make a few decisions on your own before you can determine what you'll be able to get by with.

Asking someone where you should go is like asking someone if they think your knickers are comfortable. It's a personal decision. Put some heart and soul into, give it lots of thought, do lots of reading to find out what places are intriguing to you. Places that give you that excited feeling inside when you think about exploring them. What are some countries that have piqued your interest? Do you want to explore somewhere very different, or just a little bit different from where you live?

The length of your trip and which countries you'd like to visit will be the biggest determining factors, oh, and your spending habits ofcourse Sounds like you've got a great start on the savings. Good for you.

[bloomer]

To travel. . .or NOT to travel?!?! That is not a question!! Go out and discover, you can always go back to college later, if that even turns out to be your path. . .

[rbisset]

Don't get too worried Sam, it's impossible not to meet up with people in Aus. After a few days of organised pissups with the hostel in Sydney you'll have made a load of new friends who are probably doing the same trip as you.

[clintonb]

I'm from Adelaide, Australia & trust me, you'll definitely meet up with other travellers, especially on the eastern coast :-)

I say travel. As, if you think of it long term... What will you regret more maybe? Continued on studying, etc or gone out and got a job. Have some nice things, good car etc.... (you might not either)...But never travelled... Or you might not have as many nice things as ya do (you might too), but you've travelled and seen a part of the world in which you'll never be able to experience in the life where you live....

I think you'll regret, not travelling more!!!

Also, keep in mind - alot of people tend to appreciate their own home place alot more, when they've come back from life on the road.

so, pack your bags! And hop on that plane with a huge smile :-)

[exploreamerica]

Yes, your question is not whether or not to travel, but rather when and where. I hope that you are not able to read this and have already left on your adventure! There is too much to see and too little time. Enjoy!!!

[ScottWoz]

I'll second that!

[wakingdream]

Yes, your question is not whether or not to travel, but rather when and where.

Nice, Stuart. Wise words from a wise guy