“The world is a crazy place and I want to experience as much as I can. I want to eat amazing food, meet weird people, drink too much, get lost, find my way and laugh at the end.” Hello, my name is ! I’m 22 years old from Australia and I am currently traveling in!  If you would like to get in contact with me, submit a message here and Erica will relay it to me. I hope you enjoy reading what I’ve learned while on my journey!

What countries have you traveled to so far?

Japan, Thailand, New Zealand

What country are you currently in or where are you planning to go?

Australia

What stage of life are you in?

Between Careers

Why embark on your journey?

to experience a new culture, to check out new scenery, to challenge yourself, to meet new people, to learn something new (skill, trade, etc), to practice a language

What are some of your goals while traveling?

The world is a crazy place and I want to experience as much as I can. I want to eat amazing food, meet weird people, drink too much, get lost, find my way and laugh at the end.

What were some of your fears about traveling before you left?

running out of money, being alone/loneliness, having a hard time meeting people, not being able to find a job (if on a work visa), language barrier, communal bathing in Japan

How do you feel you have faced those fears during your trip?

Traveling alone can be scary and tiring, but the feeling of accomplishment at having survived is awesome! You may have to borrow money from family, get used to your own company, sleep on couches, introduce yourself to a bunch of strangers, work shitty jobs, work for free or mime a conversation, but any of these is better than going home, right?

Have your dreams of what you might do with your live changed as a result of traveling?

When I first started travelling I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, four years later I have only a vague idea. Through traveling I know what I don’t want after meeting many travellers who have been unhappy with their old lifestyles and left to seek something elsewhere.

What are 3 significant things you have learned while being on your adventure?

People are inherently good. There are a small proportion of psychos out there, but the chances you’ll run into one are fairly low, so for the majority trust people and let them help you. Body language is really important. In a foreign country hand gestures and facial expressions can make a real connection between people and is far more entertaining than talking to yourself. Eat good food, instant noodles get dull.

What advice could you give others who are considering taking some time off to explore themselves and the world?

Book a flight. Having a permanent date set makes it so much easier to start sorting out everything else.

Were there any quotes that motivated you along the way?

“In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then believe them to be true.”

What are the top three countries you would like to travel to next?

India, Peru, Canada