Alone

Hi. I'm a 17 year old girl, almost 18, and finishing out my senior year of high school in the US. I've been planning a RTW gap year trip for a while. I'll be going alone to Asia, Australia, Africa, and Europe. My dad's pretty supportive of my trip, but my mom isn't. She's extremely worried for my safety. And she's starting to get me worried too, but I know that this trip is what I've been dreaming of and that I can't just cancel it.
What are your opinions? Do you think this trip is dangerous? Have you ever travelled solo long-term?

Its a bit difficult to assess the potential dangers of your trip without more detail. If you are planning to travel standard tourist routes and stay in backpacker accommodation you are likely to meet up with other people along the way and travel with them for a while. Such a trip willl be relatively safe (no one can guarantee your safety when you travel any more than in can be guaranteed at home).

Your plan sounds may be a bit too broad- if spending 12 months you'll only have 3 months for each continent - so perhaps enough time to visit two or three countries in Asia, Africa and Europe. There's no need to do everything in your gap year! To get the most out of the trip I think you need to work out your priorities and focus on a small number fo countries. Moving to new places and getting familiar with new cultures is exhausting and when you are tired you can be more vulnerable. Have you travelled before?

It may reassure your mun if you work out a plan of the countries you intend to travel to, and do your research re safety in individual countries. Perhaps look into spending some of your time in volunteer activities so you'll be in a group environment for a while.

If your mum is worried she may be more relaxed if you carry a mobile phone with international roaming (which parents pay for!).

Its better to go with friends.there are so many predators out there looking for young inexperienced people..they want your money your body

Some areas of the world are certainly safer than others. I'm in my mid-twenties and male and I'd think twice before heading out to certain parts of Africa on my own. But then I'm going to Slovenia in September and that's reputed to be extremely safe!

Can't speak for Asia, but in Europe you could go to Scandinavia without being in much danger of molestation, and Australasia is so geared up for independent travellers that you're really safe.

DD

If you do opt to go, don't be too trusting - even of other travelers (they aren't all nice). DON'T do drugs, even pot anywhere overseas. You might find out that the national penalties keep you in prison for years. Let others be stupid!!!!! Even if you are lost, look like you know where you are going. Don't let anyone give you ANYTHING to carry for them. Definitely use lodging frequented by other travelers. If this is your first trip abroad, don't be too ambitious. Limit yourself to more westernized countries where women have more rights.

You know yourself. Things to think about - not to answer. How naive are you? How well can you handle yourself? Do you come across confidently or skiddishly?

If your answers are not favorable, then you might want to consider group activities like tours and/or volunteering. Do your research and figure out where you will feel most comfortable.

Australasia is so geared up for independent travellers that you're really safe.

Coming from Australia, i am in a position to disagree with this. Although Australia is geared up for independent travellers, that does not mean you can afford to be any less on your guard. We have the same stories of travellers getting into trouble that occurs anywhere else in the world. Last year in my town, a young korean girl was killed in a hit and run accident. The driver was drunk. He was 19 and took fright. He showed up eventually. The girl was walking home late at night with a friend on or near the side of the road - which was very quiet. Accidents like this can happen anywhere in the world. Dangerous people who pray on travellers exist all over the world also. The trick is to avoid having anything to do with them.

I agree with everything V says above. Make travel choices that are fairly mainstream. Don't take up offers of accommodation with strangers. Don't get drunk with strangers. Be especially careful about your partying habits. You are always going to be more vulnerable when you get drunk, so try to avoid getting drunk or stoned, unless with trusted friends in a safe situation. And also if you let your funds get too low and take budget risks - not so much staying in a cheap hotel but taking up offers of accommodation from relative strangers or hitchhiking.

I travelled alone when i was in my early 20s for a few years, although i generally met and got around with other travellers. However, i did make quite a few foolish decisions and got into some sticky situations which I was lucky enough to get out of relatively unscathed. Sometimes my rash decisions got me in no danger whatsoever but other times I went pretty close to the edge. Hopefully you will be a little more cautious than I was. But young people being what they are, (more naive,) do tend to take more risks. Its really not about other people but about you that makes the difference as to your safety, for the most part at least.

The girl walking along the road seems like a case of genuine bad luck. But i have to say that as a driver and seeing so many people casually walking along the side of the road, ie in the bike lane, in my town so close to the traffic makes me want to get out and yell at them to get off the road. I don't drive drunk but it only takes the slightest slip of the wheel for an accident to happen. People are so careless. Sorry, i'm ranting a bit.

Listen, hook up with other travellers your age. Don't get around on your own in known risky areas by day or anywhere by night. Keep in frequent touch with your parents - but make no promises about when you will call them or email them because they will be waiting worriedly for you to communicate and it may not always be easy to keep the appointment. Don't ever leave your money and valuables in your hotel. Keep them with you at all times. Don't ever let strangers help you with your bags. Don't accept food from strangers, especially on public transport. If you go out with guys from underdeveloped countries, be prepared to sleep with them or don't go out with them alone. Consider that, in many countries "no" still means "yes". Take your own padlock to lock your hotel room, and your bags up in trains. Use travel guide books such as lonelyplanet and make sure you know the warnings and act accordingly. Have all your vaccinations and look after your health. If you get run down, take a good rest somewhere for a week or so. If you get unhappy, go somewhere else - either change hotel to be with others, or change country or climate.

I found on a recent trip, when i got some diarrhoea and lost quite a bit of weight quickly, I ended up feeling lethargic for quite a while. It was a while before i realised what was the reason for my loss of motivation.

Its healthy to be a little anxious before heading off on a trip. Its normal for your mum to feel worried. Just don't get carried away. If you father feels you will cope all right overseas, he may be right. Research and some planning will make things go more smoothly.

Hi there,

I'm in a similar boat as you except four years down the line: an American girl planning on traveling alone after graduation. The funny thing is I've done study abroad and extensive travel already as a result of that, but my parents STILL worry! It's part of their job description, and I'd be a little more upset if they didn't worry at all to be honest.

Lots of good advice in the post above, but what it all comes down to is research and how you should be sure to do as much as possible before you head off. The world is a big enough place that there's plenty to do and see without getting yourself into a sticky situation, and if you sit down with your mom and show her where you're planning to go and emphasize how you're not going to walk down dark alleys on your own and promise to keep in touch while on the road she'll feel a lot better about it.

Also keep things in perspective. The world is a dangerous place, that's true, but so is the USA when you get down to things and even if you went off to live on your own next year (at college or whatever) most of the precautions people will tell you now for your trip will apply there. True, I think there's nothing wrong with a touch of paranoia and listening to that little voice in your head telling you no, but as long as you don't be stupid and try and stay in control of your situation (by not getting into a compromising situation and trying to be as knowledgeable about your situation as possible) you'll be fine and have a blast. The world is not as dangerous as it looks when you sit at home watching TV!

Hey,

I reckon the most important thing is to know your limits and be sensible, but don't let it hold you back. As poster 6 said, there are plenty of dangers at home too.

I'd agree that you'll be pushed for time to see all of thouse countries in that time, you'll probably get a better experience by narrowing it down.

Consider taking organised tours in some of the less developed countries, it doesn't have to mean sacrificing your independence and it's not 'cheating'!! Companies like STA travel can help you with tours where you will meet loads of other young people and you'll probably be able to see more in a limited time if you don't need to spend time organising your own transport etc.

On my recent big trip I travelled with my partner, but thought I'd be fine travelling alone if I had to. Now I'm not so sure, apart from safety it depends on how much you like your own company!

I read this article recently about social networking sites for meeting people whilst travelling, some of them are even security checked so you can feel safe about it - worth a look http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2008/mar/15/ecuador.southamerica

NewIslander and Andromeda, great posts! thanks so much.

I would recommend that you start your trip with Europe or Australia, before jumping into Asia/Africa, as the latter continents may be a little more daunting for a young single female. Good luck.

Edited by: mattlv

I traveled all by myself in Europe when I was 16 and have been doing it ever since. Never thought I would say it but I am glad that I am older now because the pressure is off. When you are a young woman traveling you are presumed to be an American 'Party Girl' and there are people that will bother you for this very reason. It helps if you dress modestly and be a bit reserved. Traveling is about using common sense but every year I see loads of 'fresh' travellers arrive at the hostel with too much luggage, the wrong clothes and the wrong shoes. They aren't cautious with their valuables or money. They have bad experiences going out partying. They try to see and do everything and become miserable or bemoan that it wasn't how they thought it would be. Going out into the world by yourself is one of the best things a woman can do- experience life!

I'm also 17 in my final year of high school in Australia...have been planning my trip for about a year now. I'm going with a friend of mine to Japan and then heading to London.
I'd recommend going to the more 'westernised' countries first like Australia (and parts of Asia like Hong Kong) first not because they are less dangerous but because it will be less of a culture shock when you first get there.

However, a friend of mine is eighteen and has just gone backpacking through Thailand/Vietnam/India by herself and has met lots of fellow travellers along the way, so you can always stick together with other people even if you are travelling 'alone'.

If your mum's worried get her to look at some GAP year websites which help you sort of 'loosely plan' your year off and may give your mum some closure. (http://www.gapyear.com). There's certain organisations you can go through as well that can help you plan your trip, too.

Another idea: join the Youth Hostels Association. They're a global organisation and have a massive database of backpacker accommodation across the world. Their facilities have to go through an accreditation process and are usually clean, safe and friendly. It also gives you different discounts on things such as transport, tours, accommodation and entertainment.

Hope this helps!