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Advantages Of Travelling Alone

Decent Essays

On the whole, as a Westerner (and usually comparably rich, even as an YBP) you can make all the smart choices about transport. You will never have to take a flight with the airline that has the worst safety record on that continent. You will never have to get into a taxi where the limping car has clearly never been serviced and where the driver smells strongly of whisky. You are traveling for pleasure and can always say no.
But happily, such experiences are few and far between. We may all come from different countries, but on the whole, we all still want to live well and safely. Undoubtedly, life can feel more cheap in some countries than others, but if you plan ahead and choose to take the smart options, you can enjoy hassle-free travel …show more content…

The main question that comes up in relation to solo travel is the timeless one:
Is it Safe to Travel Alone?
My short answer is “Yes.” Or to be more precise, “Yes, but…”
Traveling alone can be one of the greatest adventures you will ever experience. The article in the previous chapter has outlined a few great reasons why – the new people, the freedom and so on – now we will look a little more closely at how to travel alone… and safety has to be a primary consideration.
For a start let’s look at the facts – the vast majority of travelers experience no crimes or problems whatsoever. You are likely to be one of them and you can increase your chances of a trouble-free trip by following these top 10 safety tips:

1. Be alert in and around tourist attractions. Pickpockets and other petty criminals often hide in crowds, waiting for unsuspecting victims. Stay aware.

2. Always keep an eye on your belongings – even if you pop into the sea for a dip, so make sure your things are safe.

3. Avoid the crime hotspots and never visit downtown areas of large cities alone, especially not after …show more content…

However, there are some considerations to bear in mind before jetting off abroad.
Here’s a mixture of pros and cons to bear in mind when considering study abroad (here’s a hint though – I believe that the PROS totally outweigh the CONS, naturally!):

PRO – You Can Experience a Foreign Culture
There is nothing like having your own experience of travel to feel like you are really living. It is all very well to admire the plains of South Africa in a film, or to climb Amazonian waterfalls in your imagination when you read a book, but there really is nothing like being there in person. Travel can surprise all your senses, often all at once, and it can be a real thrill to immerse yourself in the customs and culture of other people.

PRO – Learn A New Language
If you have some basic Spanish, why not enhance it with a few months in Barcelona? Or hone your French in Paris, Mauritius or Martinique? There are endless opportunities for improving a language or learning a new one from scratch. Just remember – there is no better way to learn a language well than by chatting to locals every day. You will pick up authentic words, gain fluency and improve your confidence – so dive

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