20, going somewhere on your own for the summer

mainstreets

So im 20 year old female . I have nothing at home this summer. no friends no job. I have been thinking of going some where this summer , london , edinburgh, somewhere in europe and work . The only thing holding me back is that i would be going on my own as none of my college friends are up for it. Has anyone any advise for me about doing this ? would you recomend it or is it a bad idea to do somthing like that on my own at this age ? dont know what to do just very depressed/lonely at home ..

Thanks !

Oranage2

went away with a friend and we had a falling out so i was left traveling 2 months on my own and it was the best experience ever - it took me about a week to come out of my shell as i am a shy person but after that making friends and traveling with strangers became easy as their will be many others travelling alone - so go for it.

ndubz

mainstreets wrote: »

So im 20 year old female . I have nothing at home this summer. no friends no job. I have been thinking of going some where this summer , london , edinburgh, somewhere in europe and work . The only thing holding me back is that i would be going on my own as none of my college friends are up for it. Has anyone any advise for me about doing this ? would you recomend it or is it a bad idea to do somthing like that on my own at this age ? dont know what to do just very depressed/lonely at home ..

Thanks !

Hey,

You should really go for it if nothing is holding you back. I went away for the whole summer last year on my own, i went to the USA and travelled around 26 states with 34 people living on a bus, I didn't know any of them from ADAM!, i know its a little different as you are intending to work and stuff. The people I met in America are some of the best freinds i've ever met, and any advice would be to meet different nationalities, although the only thing you will miss is the irish sense of humour - no one else gets it. The pro's of everything are you meet people, you do what you want to do, no freinds from at home holding you back, noone moaning in your ear. DO IT.

Pisco Sour

DO IT.

Its a blessing in disguise that nobody wants to go travel as it is soooo much better going solo. So much freedom to do what you want, go where you want, change your plans etc. Also it forces you out of your shell. You have no choice but to be sociable.

Your not too young at all. I've met people travelling solo of all ages. Hell I met girls younger than you travelling solo in South America.

Why not do a J1 and go live and work somewhere in the US? Pick somewhere where most Irish would never think about doing a J1. Somewhere like Nashville (my favourite US city). Would make for a different J1 experience.

If working in Europe, theres so much to chose from. Ediburgh as you mentioned is an awesome city. But maybe look somewhere away from these islands. Maybe Stockholm, or Barcelona or Florence. Learn a language while your away perhaps.

If working isn't 100% needed and you have saved up enough then maybe do 2 months of travelling to South America or South East Asia. Or maybe interrailing around Europe?

Theres so many options available to you. Get out there and find the most appealing one! Do not sit around in Ireland during the summer looking out the window waiting for the rain to stop.

Best of luck

mainstreets

Thank you so much ! those messages gave me inspiration i needed

LYDIABANK

Mainstreets! Im in the exact same position! None of my college friends will travel abroad with me but im desperate not to spend another summer in Ireland without a job! I was recently in Stockholm and i had a brilliant time. Reading the replies really gave me a a little kick! Im thinking of going to Edinburagh myself but ive already been there, although i loved it, i think i should set my sights further but like you im a bit apprehensive about going on my own.

Choc Affair

GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!!

the independance and confidence you get from travelling alone is great! thrown into difficult situations and meeting new people is fantastic. ive travelled with friends and on my own but travelling on my own is far more exciting cause you do things and see things differently without your friends! lots of people travel on their own and everyone gangs up together. i know its scary but you should go!:)

cailinoBAC

Hey, when I was in college I was in the same situation. I wanted to go away for the summer and didn’t have anybody to go with. Do you have any languages? When I was 18 I worked in a hotel in Bavaria for the summer and then when I was 19 I worked in a restaurant in Switzerland. I also ended up working in Switzerland again during a semester break. I was very shy and those trips really helped me come out of my shell. Also, I was living at home during college so it was good to have the experience of living away. The first week or so might be a bit odd, but you’ll meet people and if you pick somewhere interesting to work there will be loads to do with your days off.

ThE_IVIAcIVIAIV

i did it and i live in amsterdam now, i love it here, english is spoken everywhere and lots of jobs

iamnotarobot

im 21 and also keen to head to london for the summer. was going to go with friends originally but they backed out, i still really want to go though, the thought of staying here for the summer makes me sick! what are peoples thoughts on going alone? any of you guys made any progress with accomodation etc?

not bakunin

Sort of in the same situation myself, just finished college for the year and trying to get a ****ty placement on some newspaper, it isn't going too well though and if I don't have anything by the end of the month I think I'll head off too. I'd love to be off by myself, another summer doing feck all here will drive me insane. I like the idea of going to Holland to pick fruit or something, I'll do any work but don't have bar experience etc so I don't know what to go for. Any advice as regards jobs? I'd consider anywhere.

Fluorescence

Kind of in a similar position myself. I'm turning 20 in August and just want to get away for a few months next year. Aus/south-east asia is something I'm thinking about, but was worried I might be a bit young to do the solo travel thing myself.. Is it a very expensive thing to bum around in these places? I need to get saving :P