Maybe within the framework of your school group tour, you can find some time to get off on your own? A 1/2 day solo doing something different from the rest of the group now & then?

Why not get that summer job? Start a savings account for doing special things in the future? Whether it's traveling, moving away from home, whatever interests you at the time (likely will need $ to accomplish).

All the best, Suze

Hi Corshi,

I thought I'd add my two cents here, for what it's worth ;)

I've always considered myself fairly shy and introverted, but I took a solo road trip across the US after college and it was absolutely the best experience of my life. I did the study abroad in Prague and travelled thoughout Europe in college, but those trips didn't affect me nearly as much as this one. Perhaps because I had no destination, and was really out just for the journey.

My budget was about enough for gas, apples, and PB&J sandwiches. I stayed with friends where I had them, camped alone (had no problems), or stayed in Motel 6's. I got up every morning at the crack of dawn and looked at my map, then went wherever I thought looked interesting. Some places I stayed a few days, others just a few hours.

I felt more alive, happier, and more relaxed than I ever have. I smiled at everyone I met, struck up conversations with complete strangers, and did absolutely whatever I wanted.

I started in NY, and after spending a week in Portland, OR, decided that I had found the end of my journey. I've lived here for almost seven years now and feel confident in knowing this is exactly where I want to be.

Anyway, I guess the point is, I think that the feeling of complete freedom was the thing that got me over my shyness - I really didn't care how I acted or what anybody thought of me and it was incredible. If you can find that, any trip will be worth it.

Good luck to 'ya!

Ok guys,

I've been thinking about the trip more, and I have new goals. My goal at first was to suddenly become a social butterfly, but I've realized how unrealistic that is and will eventually lead to dissapointment. So here are some goals I have:

1)Keep an open mind! To new experiences and opportunities. Not thinking I have to FIND a new experience, but to be open to things that come up during the trip.

2)I really want to spend one night in a castle. Don't know how possible this is, but I know that castles dot the landscape in the Czech Republic, so who knows!

3)Also like to try horseback riding... I'm taking some lessons this semester, so I'd like to apply my new skill somehow!

4)I want to travel the entire length of the trail from Prague to Vienna... this would be the capstone goal. Just for the self-satisfaction of it.

5)Realize when I need to stop traveling and just chill out for a while to recollect my bearings... Since I'm pretty introverted, I need time to myself to relax and think...

But by keeping an open mind, if some of these goals don't come to be then that's cool.

I'm also looking away from biking the Prague/Vienna Greenways. Not only the logistics of buying a bike in the country and learning repair skills and buying tire repair kits, but a bike will make the trip go by too fast.

I think these goals will keep me in a better mindset in the trip. What do you guys think?

I think you're getting the hang of this Corshi! :)

Your goals are definitely doable. And most importantly, you have an open mind about your goals changing as you go.

As for the bike, perhaps you can do a bike rental for a day.

I always work in a couple days of "alone" time during a trip. These are quiet times where I'll find a nice spot at a park, etc. where I can read and relax and not have to deal with people.

Hi Corshi,

I'm a college student as well, and have been doing some serious thinking about travel. I swear I've had the same thoughts about taking a self-realization trip as well, I really want to explore into myself and learn to be more outgoing as well as self reliant. Travel is something I think is extremely important in life. I visited Paris, London and parts of Scotland two summers ago with my mom and sisters, and it has made me want to go all over the world. I just don't have anyone to travel with, so I've been thinking about solo trips as well. I think it is so cool that you are thinking about doing this, and from what I've read you seem to be having thoughts that go back and forth-I think I know exactly what you've been feeling! It's like one day I am motivated and want to get out there and do it, and the next day I am thinking if it is really logical or if I could really do it.
Reading about your possible trip has really made me do some more thinking about my own travel possibilities and just makes me feel like I am not the only person who wants to go on a solo trip! My parents are really scared for me as well, and it makes me doubt myself. Whenever I talk to them about it, I feel like maybe I am too young (18) or I worry about all of the "scary" things that could happen. I hope that you can make this decision and can do some self-realization on whichever trip you decide to take, because it is an inspiration to those of us who wish for the same thing!

Oh and definitely do some horseback riding! I am on my school's equestrian team and I love riding!

nikki831, are you going to go through with it? Let's make a pact, that we both pledge to go on our trips and tell what happens.

This trip is scaring the S**T out of me. But it just feels like something I gotta do. I could write a novel on all the reasons why I'm reluctant to go.

Well, I've been making plans to study abroad next spring semester, possibly in England since I don't have much experience with other languages. What I would really like to do is just take a year off of school or something to travel, but I've got a huge list of reasons why I shouldn't! One of those reasons is that I've only got four hundred dollars saved right now, so I don't think I'd get very far!
I go back and forth about my plans. One of my main reasons for wanting to travel is that I have no idea what I want to do with my life. I don't even have a major yet! I've been stressing about it constantly, and thinking about how it would be nice to travel for a year, have some more time to make these college decisions and then come back to college. I just wish I could experience something that would inspire me, something that would give me some direction!
I don't have any plans drawn out right now about solo travel, but I would really love to do it.
One thing I might do is similar to what you've been thinking about. Maybe after I study for a semester in England I could cancel my flight return and stay alone in Europe for the summer.
I'd love to make a pact! But no guarantees yet that I'll follow through with the solo trip for a couple of years. It would be really fun to tell eachother about our trips though!
About the novels of reasons why I shouldn't go part - I think there could be a fun twist on that. I've spent some time thinking about how fun it would be to just travel all over the place and write about my "adventures" - problem of no major/idea of what to do with my life solved! (Providing anyone would want to read about it!)

Yep, I think we're in the same situation. I want to take the trip to find some direction in life, to be a little more independent (ok, alot more independent). But I go back and forth everyday, one day thinking it will be fun, next day thinking of all the problems I'll have during the trip and how awful it will turn out to be.

My biggest fear is that other travelers and locals will be "put off" by me somehow and they won't approach me (I'm not really the type to approach others comfortably).

And about your semester abroad: Alot of foreign schools teach exclusively in English, especially large international schools. So you may not need to limit your choices to the UK. OR, you could spend a semester learning a new language in a foreign language school. That could be an extremely satisfying semester I think!

Anyway, if I do decide to go, I will definitely take lots of pictures and keep a journal, so I'll remember to share my experiences. Just gotta do it!

Travel is not necessarily that different from every-day life. You can sit in your apartment and watch TV, or you can get out there and do something (simplistic and overstated but you get the idea).

There is nothing magical about travel as far as suddenly getting in touch with your true inner self. But hopefully the experience will stretch you and open your mind to all kinds of possibilities. Perhaps not centered on you and social skills one way or the other... rather how many different experiences are out there waiting to be had (in a foreign country, or in your own home town).

Take a deep breath, get out there & give it a try. Will you "thrive"? - who knows. Don't over-think things, just go (is my humble best advice). If you weren't already sincerely interested you wouldn't be here asking, most kindly ~suze

Hi,

I'm a college student also and kind of in your situation. I love traveling and often have to go it alone. But also like you, I'm very shy. To answer your question, yes people like us can thrive from solo excursions. The first time I went alone, I traveled with a group called Contiki Holidays. It was a lot of people my age, but I also an environment where I felt safe and could go out and meet new people. After taking this step, I feel like I can now go anywhere alone, with a tour or not. If you're a little apprehensive about going alone, but really need to get away I suggest you check out contiki.com.

When I was 19 and a sophomore in college, I went to Europe by myself. I knew people there, and hung out with my boyfriend (later husband). I still look back at that summer as one of the most fantastic of my life. We drove from Vienna through the old Yugoslavia to northern Italy. I saw Berlin, Prague, London. The world opened up for me in ways I cannot describe in this small little space.

Here's an idea for you -- teach English at a "letni tabor" or Czech summer camp. I'm sure those opportunities are still around. I still keep up with my students, and that was 12 years ago! Corshi, have a great time this summer! You will never forget it!

For me travel has been about distraction and adventure, not "self-realization". Regarding college majors, if there is something you really want to do go for it, if you're not sure or lukewarm then go where the money is.

A reply to my own message: I found an inspiring thread that covers the question: "Does solo traveling inspire change?"

http://boards.bootsnall.com/eve/foru...m/53610545/p/1

Some people don't realize how much their solo trip has inspired/changed them until years after they have returned.

Corshi- It's different for everyone I guess. I have never experienced transformation thru travel myself.

Maybe that is more common for young and first time travelers?

Might be grand if it happens, but I would not base the success of a trip on finding it (like I expressed earlier).

I have never been transformed, but I do feel I have had some self-realization while traveling alone. It's been more in the fact that I've learned I don't need others to be happy than anything really deep.

And I do find myself taking more time to let things encompass me rather than rushing through without getting the emotion.

I really agree with Suze's advice not to base the success of the trip on whether you are transformed. Just enjoy the world around you and be grateful for the smallest things you find.

I'm not going on the trip anymore expecting a life changing experience. I'm supporting the fact that it CAN happen.

Perfect! :-d

My recommendation-TRAVEL TRAVEL TRAVEL. The more you put yourself out there, the more you will grow. I've been in Barcelona for a year now and it has changed my life for the better.
I have traveled alone to various places while being here and I find it refreshing and a way to get to know yourself better. Good luck :)

Looking for an update from Corshi. You've got a lot of people behind you. Whatever you decide, even if the solo trip turns out to be quite simple, you're on the right track if you, as JP says, do <i>something</i>. Best of luck to you.