I started this thread of posts to share feel-good encounters I’ve experienced while traveling (If you haven’t already, check out Part 1). Often, people are overly cautious and on edge when visiting new destinations, especially places with a mixed reputation. However, I’ve been fortunate to meet several amazing strangers during my travels, and I cherish…
How To Maximize Your Travel As A Student (Part 1)
I firmly believe that being a student offers unparalleled opportunities for travel. Before dismissing this notion due to financial constraints—an understandable concern for many students—consider the multitude of travel benefits that come with the student lifestyle. Firstly, students enjoy several breaks and vacations integrated into their academic calendars, a luxury not typically afforded to those…
My Flight from Cusco to Lima That Didn’t Exist
My first extended solo trip, which was in South America during my senior year of college, began in Peru. I started by spending a week visiting Machu Picchu, exploring Cusco, and taking day trips around the Peruvian Andes. Everything had gone smoothly, and I naively believed the rest of my journey would follow suit. However,…
Things I Wish I Knew Before Visiting India (Part 3)
Hopefully, you’ve read Part 1 and Part 2 of this thread and have an idea of the insights I gathered during my 6-week trip to India. India is an incredible place to visit, but it’s not for the faint of heart, so I hope these tips will help you prepare for what to expect from…
Things I Wish I Knew Before Visiting India (Part 2)
Welcome back to the second installment of my lessons from India. If you missed Part 1, I explained why India is such an awesome destination for a long visit. Make sure you check the first post out. Now, let’s dive into more insights and discoveries from my six-week adventure that I hope will be useful…
My Global Good Samaritan Encounters That Will Restore Your Faith in Humanity (Part 1)
As a solo female traveler, I’ve learned to navigate the world with a healthy dose of caution. Yet, time and again, I’ve been humbled by the kindness and generosity of strangers. In a world often overshadowed by negativity, these encounters serve as reminders of the inherent goodness that exists among us. In this post, I…
How I Visited 100+ Countries as a College Student
Anyone who knew me well before college would tell you that I loathed being on planes. I struggled with severe cases of air sickness as a child, but that never deterred me from excitedly mentally preparing myself for the flights for my annual family vacations. These resort-focused trips (think Atlantis Bahamas, Wild Wadi Dubai, Disneyland…
How Family Mart Saved Me from Sleeping on the Streets of Kaohsiung, Taiwan
I must confess, this story is largely the result of my lack of foresight. But in my defense, my arrival in Taiwan coincided with a looming deadline for my master’s program, so cut me some slack. My journey into Kaohsiung from Korea was prompted mainly by the allure of the cheapest flight into Taiwan—duh. Plus,…
How To Maximize Your Travel As A Student (Part 3)
Ideally, you’ve already read Part 1 and Part 2 of this post and you’ve been convinced that being a student is one of the best times to travel. In Part 3, I’ll cover some more gems to help you maximize your travel experiences as a student. 1) Participate in International Extracurricular Activities Engaging in extracurricular…
How To Maximize Your Travel As A Student (Part 2)
If you’re here, hopefully, you’ve already explored Part 1, where I discussed why the student years offer unparalleled opportunities for travel. Building on those insights, this post delves into lesser-known, underrated strategies to maximize your travel experiences. 1) Work With Professors Collaborating with professors engaged in international projects presents another avenue to secure free travel…
