Michelle Tsai

1. When do you leave?
   June 2004

2. How long do you plan to be away?
   6-12 Months

3. How much have you saved?
   20,000 usd

4. How old are you?
   27

5. Nationality
   USA

6. Where do you live now?
   Michigan, USA

7. Is this job one that you actually like, or are you only doing it to pay for the trip?
   It's my career

8. Have you traveled around the world before?
   No

9. What is the route you plan to take/places you plan to visit?
   Detroit - London - Kenya - Tanzania - Malawi - Zambia - Zimbabwe - Botswana - Namibia - South Africa - Australia - Peru - Bolivia - Chile - Argentina - Antarctica - Back to US!

10. Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
    Have always taken every opportunity to travel the world, but only in 2-3 weeks at a time. When I learned that my company offered sabbaticals, I HAD to take advantage of it!

11. What is your biggest fear about this trip?
    I will miss spending quality time with my family and friends.

12. Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc., supportive of you? What is their opinion of your going around the world?
    Yes, they think I'm a bit nuts, but are all really excited for me.

13. How much planning and preparing have you done?
    Just Enough

14. What are you packing? What do you consider your most indispensable item(s)?
    Light, non cotton clothes, non wrinkle clothes. Probably too many electronics.

15. 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?
    Can't predict HOW it will change me, but it definately will.

16. If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings about your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it be?
    Expecting the unexpected.

17. 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?
    It's not for everyone, but those that are willing to make the necessary sacrifices will be hugely rewarded.

18. What is the biggest myth that people have about round-the-world traveling?
    That you have to win the lottery to afford it.

19. Why do you like to travel?
    New adventures, new people, new cultures.

20. What is your advice for people planning their own RTW trip?
    Everyone has to do it their own way. Listen to other people's advice, but take it as just that - other people's advice.