“Traveling is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer!!”

Hello, my name is Rene! I’m 20 years old from Germany and I am currently living there too!  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?

New Zealand, Asutralia, Indonesia, United States of America, France, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands, England, Luxembourg

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

Germany

What stage of life are you in?

Pre-University

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?

to see the whole country
getting new friends all over the world
having a great time
discover and challenge myself
living in another culture
practice English

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

being alone/loneliness, exposure to possible dangers (sickness, disease, violence, etc), language barrier

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

Everything started on the 4th September 2012 in Auckland.. I am 22,000 kilometers away from home. I am in an unknown country an unknown land, alone. But just a couple of days later I’ve started to talk to people I’ve never met before!! I found my first friends in New Zealand.

My English wasn’t very good at the start of my journey and I really think it’s not quite good yet, but when you start to talk to people of different nations ( like france, spain, england, and so on) you have to speak english!! So I started to learn to speak fluently and with a bigger vocabulary (but it needs some practice).

I am usually not the guy, who gets sick, but I was sick 2 times in New Zealand. It was just a cold, but how shall I explain it to the doctor?? Okay guys its really not that easy, but you’ve got two hands and two feets so use them if you have to :D!!

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

I think many things changed!!! I started to eat more healthy food and I started to feel better than before!! I was one of those guys who was to lazy to cook something, so I went to MCDonalds or one of those crap fast food restaurants!

I finished school after the 10th class (I have no idea which class is it in America sorry guys, maybe high school) so I started training as a chef, but I wasn’t happy with this and I wanted to do more!! So I started school again .. and now I am on my way to finish my A-level.

Before my journey I was one of these guys who doesn’t want to talk to anybody, but that changed after two months in NZ. Now I am open minded and I can talk to everybody (like the kiwi lifestyle).

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

Waitomo caves Epic Tour!

Nevis Bungy Jump 134meters

Skydive Lake Taupo 15000ft

But that you can have fun with everybody everywhere around the world in every situation. Like sleeping in your campervan with two girls and one guy you have just met one day ago. This is something I could never do in my country.

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

You want to visit your favourite country??

Do it !!! You won’t regret it!!!!

You will meet hundreds of people in your age who are just like you and wanna see the country and try out another lifestyle. Getting to know other people from other countries or just to have a year off your boring old life back home. It’s an adventure you should do!! Really believe it!

Were there any quotes that motivated you along the way?

Traveling is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer!!

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

Canada, Mexico, China