“Adventurous” isn’t a word I would use to describe myself. I wasn’t one to climb trees as a kid or even stand on my bike while pedaling. If anything, “cautious” would be a word I would use to describe myself. I have always been one to triple check any plans, always aware of my surroundings, and careful of any decisions I make. One of my New Years’ resolutions for 2025 was to be more bold and start gaining more confidence. So, studying abroad was a step in the right direction. 

Since being abroad, I’ve had so many new experiences — attending Design Week events, traveling to new countries, trying new foods, and helping to teach English at a local after-school program. These adventures have helped me push my boundaries and step out of my comfort zone. However, I decided to challenge myself further and decided to…travel solo. I won’t lie — I was extremely nervous to do this, but I am so glad that I did. It felt invigorating! Solo traveling is something that I think everyone should do at least once because it allows you to grow in so many different ways. Why not while abroad? For any students on the fence about travelling solo or wanting to, here are some tips that I’ve learned on my trip to make the most out of being a solo traveler. 

Tips for Solo Traveling

1.  Choose the right accommodation

Your place of rest is arguably the most important thing to choose when solo traveling for many reasons such as safety and comfortability. Prioritizing these two things are key to having a fun solo trip because it’ll be the place where you recharge and keep your belongings. As a student on a budget, you’d probably lean towards booking a hostel. However, the extra splurge for a hotel or an Airbnb is worth it if it means you would be less stressed about your belongings. This doesn’t mean though that hostels aren’t an option. There are safety precautions that you can take too when booking a hostel: look for ones with security lockers or luggage storage and have a padlock with you to keep your items. Hostels are community hubs. If you’re looking to meet new people, you can easily find other solo travelers as well as social events hosted by the hostel crew.  

2.  Book a tour 

If staying in a hostel isn’t your thing, but you still want to meet new people or travel in a group, book a tour! Websites like Get Your Guide or Airbnb Experiences are great places to find all kinds of activities happening in whatever city you’re in. Some social tours to look out for that I recommend are walking tours, bar crawls, or food tours. If you’re on a budget, walking tours are your best option to explore the city and get to know its history. They are often free or at a super low cost. 

3.  Plan some down time 

Having down time or a slow day where nothing is planned may seem like a waste of time when creating your travel itinerary, but trust me, it is needed and will come in handy. My first time solo travelling was fun, but also a little overwhelming. The anxiety that comes with traveling alone is inevitable, but can be remedied by incorporating time to just rest whether that be leisurely roaming around, sitting in a park, or lounging on a beach. 

4.  Earbuds and a book are your best friend 

During my first solo trip, I felt a little awkward and anxious walking around and exploring the city. It felt like everyone was staring and knew that I was alone. What I found helpful in these situations were my earbuds. Putting them in and listening to my favorite music made me feel more calm — plus, it felt like I was in a movie! Listening to music while roaming a new city is my new favorite activity now. If you are a bookworm like me, grab your current read and head to a bench. The beauty about solo travel is that you can soak in the city and explore at your own pace. There’s no rush to hit all the monuments or tourist destinations, so why not relax by people watching with some music or reading a book?