My biggest confidence boost when traveling alone
I sign up for a course or group activity. Yes, that’s it. I sign up for language classes, group trips, field work, teaching jobs, volunteer work, etc.
Starting a solo trip through a class or group activity performs all of the following actions:
Provide the purpose of the trip. I no longer run blind; support is actually available there when I arrive. I am less likely to cancel the trip before it begins. While I am there, I am learning skills or providing a service. It makes it less likely that I will turn around and hop on the next plane home.
Put me in touch with others immediately. I’ll probably meet other travelers, and I’m sure I’ll meet locals who speak English and have a general understanding of what foreigners need to master in their country.
Provide services that make travel easier. This could be visa assistance or just a transfer service from the airport to your accommodation. Some courses and group activities offer optional weekend trips.
Provide a more stable environment. Traveling alone, new cultures, unfamiliar places …… This is very different from your family life. Adjustment can take time, and let’s face it, when your course or group activity is over, you will need time to gain more confidence to travel alone.
I signed up for a Russian language school in Kyrgyzstan, a month-long archaeological dig in Spain, a Spanish language school in Guatemala, a teaching job in Ukraine …… you get the idea.
You don’t have to do anything drastic either. The act of joining a group tour (like Contiki), finding activities on meetup.com, or just staying in a hotel can make traveling alone seem less daunting.
Plus, other solo travelers will do the same. Hello future travelers!
Almaty, Kazakhstan
Great hostel owner in Almaty, Kazakhstan took us out for a night on the town. Alone but not alone! (Photo by Suying)
Ideas for classes or group activities for solo travelers
Language classes:
This is my favorite recommendation for solo travelers. Enrolling in a language school at your destination will not only help you feel more comfortable and intimate when traveling alone, but it will also give you the language skills and cultural insight to make the rest of your solo trip even better!
If you’re traveling alone for 6 weeks, consider taking a 2-week survival language course first. And take advantage of the additional services offered by the language school, including visa assistance, weekend trips, social events, opportunities to meet other international friends, and more.
Language school stipend: meeting other travelers and locals. I had dinner with 2 other Americans and one of their host families.
Language school stipend: meeting other travelers and locals. I had dinner with 2 other Americans and one of their host families in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Foreign language courses:
If you are interested in teaching English abroad, earning a certificate in teaching English as a foreign language is key. Courses in this area can be found in many unique destinations around the world, so why not save it for when you start traveling alone instead of surfing the web at home? This is just one source to search for TEFL courses abroad.
Cooking classes:
It can be a one-day event or a larger learning experience. Either way, it may keep you in touch with other travelers and give you a purpose to start your trip when you feel most uncomfortable.
Teaching jobs:
Becoming an English teacher is a great way to explore new locations in a more structured way. When I was offered a teaching job in Ukraine, I was immediately surrounded by other American teachers who became a de facto family.
English teachers in Kiev go to Odessa for a weekend together!
English teachers from Kiev go to Odessa for a weekend together! (Photo by Tanya R)
Volunteer work:
Range from helping care for elephants in Thailand to building houses in Central America. Volunteering is great because you are placed in a structured group setting and have access to people who know what foreigners need when they arrive.
Some ideas include Wwoof, Workaway, Habitat for Humanity, and Elephant Nature Park.
Fieldwork:
One of my first big solo trips was to spend a month on a small Spanish island and discover the remains of a Roman fortress. I loved it. While doing this, I made lifelong friends.
For those who love history and aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty, there are plenty of opportunities on the Archaeological Institute of America’s website. Search here and be sure to select “volunteer” opportunities, as they do not require prerequisites.
