Stephani Otte

1. When do you leave?
   August 2004

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

3. How much have you saved?
   Plan on $20,000 by time I go

4. How old are you?
   24

5. Nationality
   USA

6. Where do you live now?
   Chicago, USA

7. Occupation
   Neuropharacologist

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

9. Have you traveled around the world before?
   No

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. What is your biggest fear about this trip?
    Safety. I am a blond girl from the US traveling alone.

13. 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.

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

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. What is the biggest myth that people have about round-the-world traveling?
    It is too expensive.

20. 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.

21. What is your advice for people planning their own RTW trip?
    Don't stress too much, you absolutely cannot plan for everything.