Since travelling more, I’ve come to realise that there are so many great skills you can learn from solo travel. You’d be surprised to learn what solo travel teaches you!
There is always a lot you can learn by travelling somewhere new and experiencing a new country and culture. But aside from the obvious, there’s also a hell of a lot you can learn by travelling solo too! Not only does it force you to be more comfortable with yourself, but it also teaches you fantastic life skills.
Here’s what solo travel has taught me.
Social Skills
As a solo traveller, having to push myself to meet new people has definitely been one of my biggest challenges. I’m a real introvert and I don’t think this ever really changes. Even now there are still times when I’ve sat on my hostel bed and felt sick at the idea of having to walk into the common room alone and find somewhere to sit. What if there are no seats? Or what if there’s only one seat at a table full of boys? What if I sit next to someone and they don’t want to talk to me? It’s daunting, but when you travel alone, it gets a little easier every single time. Many hostels host entertainment evenings where you’re almost forced to socialise which makes it easier. Also, so many people I know recommend travelling with a book so you’ve got something to do if you’re out alone at a restaurant.
One tip I would say though is to not push yourself too much! After a long day of exploring, it’s also perfectly fine if you just want to curl up into your bed with a good book or get an early night. Many people the fact that travelling must mean moving constantly. Or that if you travel solo you’ll always make friends to go out with every night. It is really easy to meet people – but you must not feel guilty for the nights when it feels too much or you just want time alone. There’s nothing wrong with it. You don’t miss out on anything and sometimes it’s helpful to have a night to chill alone so you’re ready for a full day of exploring next!
Budgeting Skills
When planning for my trip to America, I created a budget and a saving plan. I aimed to save a certain amount of money each month by taking on freelance work, doing survey websites etc. Because I was saving for something really valuable, it made me much more wary of where I was spending my money every day. Travelling teaches you tons of budgeting and saving skills; from how to create a saving plan to the best travel cards to use when abroad. You’ll also find that not everyone’s travel budget is the same as yours – some people like to stay in plush hotels and make the most of a holiday, whereas others like to slum it. With Briony and I (and me whenever I travel really), I find that food is never a big deal to me. I save a lot of money just buying from supermarkets or stocking up at a hostel’s free breakfast. But on the other hand, some people like to save money so they can discover local cuisine or eat in world-renowned restaurants. No one’s budget is the same, which means you’re constantly learning skills (and adapting these skills whilst you’re away too).
Safety Skills
I’ve never been in any real danger when travelling yet (touch wood). But joining travel groups on Facebook has made me realise not everyone is so lucky. Unfortunately, there are so many steps you need to take to stay safe in a foreign country. Especially if you’re a solo female traveller. I find Facebook groups really useful to look through before I travel somewhere new. Not only are they great for recommendations for things to do, but the right travel group will also share safety tips also. There are so many different scams in different countries. There’s never too much information to take in or research before visiting somewhere new, as your safety is paramount.
Read more: The Best Solo Travel Destinations With Jet2holidays
Language Skills
No matter where you go – it’s always useful swotting up on a few key phrases before you go anywhere. You never know when you might be in a situation where someone doesn’t speak any English and there’s an emergency! Luckily there are so many apps like Duolingo or Google Translate to help you in these situations. Generally, my rule is to try and learn basic phrases for everywhere I go. But if I’m going to somewhere where English isn’t so common, I will try to learn some basics. We all know how funny the Bridget Jones scene (where she tries to mimic needing a pregnancy test!) is..but none of us really want to have to live that ourselves!
Grown-up skills
You will also learn just a lot of general skills when travelling. In fact, you never stop learning, even if you think you’ve researched everything beforehand! Some situations you just have to get yourself into to learn how to get out of them again. I had a breakdown in Berlin when I got lost in the middle of nowhere at a tiny empty train station. I couldn’t find a way to buy a new valid ticket. Then I got kicked off the next train because I had the wrong ticket! After throwing a tantrum and waiting three hours in the cold, I eventually managed to work out a way to get to a previous train station with working ticket machines and finally made my way back to the hotel. The moral of the story? Always, always check where your tickets are valid for. Double-check your Google Maps…and your train tickets. I laugh about it now, but it’s just one of many small little hiccups I’ve had when travelling. I’d hate to be in that situation again but the chances are, I probably will be again one day! Now I’ve lived that nightmare, I know I won’t panic and I know what to do to fix the problem.
What Solo Travel Has Taught Me
Solo travel has taught me so much. I still sometimes pinch myself when I remember where I have been alone or when I decide to travel somewhere new. There’s a certain type of confidence to look at a potential trip and know you have the skills and bravery to just go ahead and book it. I used to be so scared of flying alone or navigating another country solo, and I know many people who still are!
I’m incredibly proud of myself for putting myself out there.
I am forever learning new skills which has gone on to make such a difference in my everyday life too. For example, I used to be so insecure when I was younger and very quiet. But since travelling, I have come out of my shell a lot. I am more confident within myself and my decisions every day. I’m also more content with myself – so I suppose there really is no limit to what you can learn from travelling.
What other skills would you say you gain from travelling? Let me know!
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