- When do you leave?
- How long do you plan to be away?
6-12 Months - How much have you saved?
Plan on $20,000 by time I go - How old are you?
24 - Nationality
USA - Where do you live now?
Chicago, USA - Occupation
Neuropharacologist - Is this job one that you actually like, or
are you only doing it to pay for the trip?
It’s my career - Have you traveled around the world
before?
No - What is the route you plan to take/places
you plan to visit?
Start in Finland, travel Eastern Europe to Turkey, fly to Kenya,
Tanzania, then to India and Nepal, UAE, fly over to Singapore travel
South East Asia up to China. - Why did you decide to take this trip? What
got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
I have been backpaking through Western Europe, now I want to experience
non-Western culture, and broaden my perspective on the world. - What is your biggest fear about this
trip?
Safety. I am a blond girl from the US traveling alone. - Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc.,
supportive of you? What is their opinion of your going around the
world?
Anyone that knows me, knows it is something I have to do. - How much planning and preparing have you
done?
Just Enough - What are you packing? What do you consider
your most indispensable item(s)?
As long as I have my passport, debit card, and my journal, I can deal. - How do you think your round-the-world trip
will change your life? How do you think it will affect and change you as
a person?
I seem to be caught up a yuppy lifestyle at present, I am looking to
escape from that, and reprioritize. - If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings
about your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it
be?
A intense anticipation that keeps me awake at nights dreaming of the
experiences to come. - Why do you think people should go on
round-the-world trips? Why not just take a regular old one- or two-week
vacation instead?
Traveling leads to insight, a change of perspective and a gain in empathy
that tourism could never compete against. - What is the biggest myth that people have
about round-the-world traveling?
It is too expensive. - Why do you like to travel?
I am fascinated with this world, and would like to experience as much as
I can in the short time I am here. - What is your advice for people planning
their own RTW trip?
Don’t stress too much, you absolutely cannot plan for everything.
August 2004