Summary

An 18-year-old solo traveler reflects on the profound personal growth, financial independence, and new perspectives on global cultures and media portrayals gained from five months of traveling across Europe.

Abstract

The author, an 18-year-old from Perth, embarked on a solo journey across Europe with the intention of exploring its history and culture. Over the course of nearly five months, the traveler discovered not only the continent but also a deeper understanding of themselves, gaining unshakeable confidence and financial savvy. The experience challenged preconceived notions about countries often depicted negatively in the media, revealing the warmth and hospitality of people in places like Bosnia, Northern Ireland, and Albania. The traveler emphasizes the educational value of travel, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of the world beyond what is presented in the news. With a renewed hunger to explore and share their experiences, the author plans to continue documenting their journey and insights on various platforms, inviting readers to join them in seeking truth and beauty in all corners of the Earth.

Opinions

Travel is seen as a transformative experience, offering personal growth and self-discovery beyond traditional education.
Financial independence is a significant benefit of solo travel, fostering a better understanding of money management.
The author challenges the media's portrayal of certain countries, emphasizing the kindness and hospitality encountered in regions with negative stereotypes.
There is a call to question and explore beyond the narratives presented by mainstream media, suggesting a disconnect between these narratives and the reality experienced firsthand.
The author values the connections made with locals and the impact of these interactions on their worldview.
The traveler expresses a commitment to sharing their journey and insights, encouraging others to embark on their own explorations and learning experiences.

Here’s What 5 Months of Solo Traveling Teaches You

At least this is what it taught me…

Photo Courtesy of the Author. All I took with me was this backpack. But I’ll return with so much more…

Gee whiz, where do I start?

Travel Ambitions V Travel Learnings

On the 1st of February, I took off from my humble abode, in Perth. The isolated capital city of Western Australia. The biggest state in the country. On the other freaking side of the world. I left with a dream. A dream to explore Europe. A commitment to uncover the region's incredible history, culture and have a great time doing so.

But what I now realize almost 5 months later is that the main thing I discovered was in fact me.

Yes, I know. That sounds a tad cringe. I left as an 18-year-old and I’ll return home as one. And it’s true. On the exterior, things aren’t so different. But when I genuinely think back to the person I was 5 months ago and the person that I am now, the versions are a world apart.

While I have always been a highly self-motivated individual, traveling has given me a sense of unshakeable confidence. Confidence I didn’t have before. Confidence to take on the world. Confidence to talk to anyone. Try anything. Even not overthink too much. To me, that alone is life-changing.

For those that know me well, I am a perennial overthinker, so this spells nothing but good news for me.

More obviously, traveling has also helped me become more financially independent. I’ve spent 5 months overseas for the large part relying on nothing but my own money for my transportation, food, and accommodation expenses. I now have a pretty good sense of money’s worth — at least I think so. And it’s certainly a luxury. It’s safe to assume not many 18-year-olds have the same feel for money, in the modern world, with the present-day housing market forcing kids to stay at home for longer, increasing their financial dependence on their parents.

Photo Courtesy of the Author. Some pasta I cooked during my time in Bremen. Nothing beats a good ol’ home-cooked rice or pasta dish whilst traveling.

And yet whilst I rant away about my learnings throughout this experience, there’s something you can learn too.

Takeaways For Your Own Lives

It’s said often, but I truly believe in the idea that travel is the best education. Traveling to nearly 20 countries on this trip alone, I’ve learned more than I could ever possibly have imagined at the start of this trip (let alone what I learned in 12 years of schooling).

From discovering the beautiful and counter-media narrative hospitality of Bosnian, Northern Irish, and Albanian people — all places where conflict and tensions are believed to be everpresent (whether visibly or bubbling below the surface), I’ve learned that not everything is as it seems. Despite the higher-than-average homelessness and less-than-ideal living conditions for locals in Albania, their friendliness towards tourists and overall happiness has encouraged me to find beauty in the small things. We can truly find beauty everywhere, even in the ‘darkest corners’ of this world.

Photo Courtesy of the Author. Me with Thanos, one of the many incredible hosts along my travel journey!

In fact, we as humans need to remove the insane labels we place on countries and people. Citizens are not their leaders. Abstract and incomprehensible religions are not inherently evil.

I found the majority Muslim-practicing countries to be the safest of them all. Safer than Italy, France…even England! The generosity of my hosts and interactions with locals, particularly in the beautiful cities of Mostar and Shkoder will forever remain in my heart.

So how is it that what our trusted media preaches can often be so far from the truth?

The truth is, I don’t know. But I want to find out.

Where To From Here?

Whilst I am not ‘anti-news’, there is so much more to the world than most of us could ever imagine.

My belief in this, and the incredible moments had on this journey have ignited a growing hunger within me to explore every corner of the Earth. To uncover ‘the truth’ about every country in the world. And I encourage you to do much the same.

Photo Courtesy of the Author. Visiting Greece once seemed like a distant dream. Yet recently, this dream became a reality. I can’t wait to uncover more of this beautiful globe!

Whilst I’ve been away from Medium over the past few months, my commitment to this platform is as strong as ever. It’ll be my experimental platform. My platform to share my learnings, opinions, views, tips — literally anything and everything. I just love to write. And I hope you love to read too!

Although the majority of my traveling has been done alone, I cannot imagine traveling around the world and keeping it all to myself. To my loyal readers, thank you for your patience and commitment to me and my writing along this journey.

I look forward to resuming my time on Medium as a more regular figure over the coming months. I’ll be sharing lots about this incredible journey and the future ahead, together with my Instagram and YouTube accounts.

It all begins with a marathon in less than 2 weeks' time. More on that soon…

Photo Courtesy of the Author. Watching the sunset in Karteros, Crete, my final and present-time location.

All the best!

Until next time,

James