My advice: Europe's not going anywhere. Its culture has been relatively static for a very long time. South Africa, on the other hand, is very dynamic and is in the midst of great change. Personally, I'm trying to visit countries that either haven't changed much or are changing rapidly now; I can go and enjoy Europe when I'm older.

My second international trip was to South Africa--a self-drive safari trip to Kruger National Park. My first trip was a volunteer trip to South America. South Africa is easy on beginners.