“what are you doing?!”
I didn't feel sorry for anyone when I flew around Europe alone, but I remember the shock people had when they found out I was taking a week-long solo trip along the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington for spring break. was surprised. I went to Redding, Klamath Falls, Portland, and Seattle, staying in hostels and Airbnbs, and spending time with friends. Whenever friends and relatives found out about my trip, they expressed immense surprise and concern. Frustrated, I spent a long conversation venting to a close friend who lives abroad about this phenomenon I encountered. Was I not perceived as independent enough? Did I look like such a homely person?
I quickly pivoted from what felt like a personal attack to criticizing American culture as a whole. It was a reflection of my loved ones' concern for my well-being, but also of the inability of many people to be happy on their own when away from safety. For most people I know, asserting yourself in a 6-bed coed hostel room full of international travelers and forming a cohesive group to spend your day together remains a daunting task. may be far away. In Europe, with easy access to different countries and cultures, hostel culture is more fluid. In America, as tourists ourselves, we are rarely forced to interact with other travelers. I wanted to use this disbelief to encourage other young people to explore their personal agency.
My travels have included overnight Amtrak trains, Flix buses, trains leaving the small town of Redding at 3 a.m., days of walking around rain-soaked streets, humming to myself while hiking through redwood forests, and walking outside the small town of Redding. This included trying to quickly catch a ferry to get to the island. of Seattle. The experience of the bus being late made me bond with other trips, even though it was frustrating. I met a DJ from a stripper club, an up-and-coming musician from the Bay Area, someone I spent a year with in Germany, and a family friend who has known me since I was a fertilized egg. It can be very difficult to meet people outside of your student and alumni stories within the Berkeley bubble. Traveling allows you to break out of this bubble, not only physically but also internally, and learn how to behave not only as a student on campus, but also as an adult in society. You essentially acquire a more authentic and positive identity.
As a woman, it is natural to be concerned about safety and it should be taken seriously. Still, she learns how to be quick on her feet and resourceful. To help her kill time and get over the trauma of transportation delays, she learns how to be bold and start a conversation. I spent the afternoon listening to music, reading while drinking tea, walking around the cherry blossom trees in full bloom, and soaking in the complete solitude and beauty of existence. alone. It was adventurous, fun and very refreshing. As a new student in a dormitory (triple dormitory), being alone with my thoughts, talking to myself, or playing music without headphones is no longer a simple pleasure. The moment I boarded the Amtrak train at Berkeley Station, I couldn't hide the huge smile on my face.
Tip: To reduce stress, book your stay or destination accommodation in advance. Why not use spring break as an opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and travel solo? Meet people, learn about yourself, and take the time to see all the diverse attractions the United States and other parts of the world have to offer.
