Going traveling is one of those experiences that everyone should make time for at some point in their life. It’s an excellent opportunity to see the world like never before and make the most amazing memories. Arguments can be made for whether you go by yourself or with others, and they both have their advantages. While some people fear they’d be too lonely if they went traveling by themselves, the truth is that you’re never really alone out there. It’s easy to make friends with others, no matter where you are, and those connections can really turn your trip into the vacation of a lifetime.
Hostel dorms are your friend
If you’re going traveling, you’re probably not looking to spend your time in five-star hotels. Most people typically favor hostels because they’re relatively cheap, and they’re a great place to make friends. When you stay in a dorm, you’re always surrounded by other people who have similar interests to you. They might not like your favorite sports team, and English may not even be their first language, but you know for a fact they love traveling.
Even if you’re a shy person, choosing to stay in a hostel dorm can really help you to open up. When you’re around the same people for so long, it’s inevitable that you’ll start feeling comfortable around them. You might feel awkward with these strangers during your first few nights together, but soon enough, you’ll all be the best of friends.
Do some prior research
Before you go traveling, you probably don’t realize just how much you have in common with people on the other side of the world. However, the more you socialize with others, the clearer these similarities become. That’s why it would serve you well to do some research beforehand. Take some time to consider your interests and any organizations you’re involved with. Then, look at the places you’re traveling to and see if there’s anything there that suits your tastes.
For instance, if you’re a travel blogger/vlogger, there’s a chance that someone else in the community will be visiting the area at the same time as you. If you communicate with them online beforehand, you’ll have someone to socialize with once you arrive. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never spoken to them before; this is your chance to get to know them.
Get talking on transit
Spending hours in transit is, unfortunately, one of the downsides of going traveling. Not every country in the world is as advanced as the US when it comes to transport, meaning a short journey can last quite a while. That can be a real pain to deal with, but it’s also the perfect opportunity to start making friends. If you’re sat next to someone on a bus or train, it might be worthwhile taking the plunge and striking up a conversation. As long as they speak English, they could be your entertainment for the next few hours.
The only downside with this is that you have to be confident enough to start talking to strangers. That’s not easy for a lot of people, but the sooner you learn to do it, the better. After all, you probably won’t have a great time traveling if you’re too afraid to have conversations with others.
While traveling alone is great for reflection, it’s still a good idea to be social at some point. Otherwise, you might lose your mind spending so much time without human contact!
