Is this job one that you actually like, or
When do you leave?
July 2004
How long do you plan to be away?
1-2 Years
How much have you saved?
$10-12K
How old are you?
24
Nationality
USA
Where do you live now?
Oxford, Ohio, USA
Occupation
Director, Leadership Development
Is this job one that you actually like, or
are you only doing it to pay for the trip?
I'll come back if they'll have me
Have you traveled around the world
before?
No
What is the route you plan to take/places
you plan to visit?
I plan to go west to east, with stops in New Zealand, Australia and
Thailand for sure. The rest depends on spur of the moment decision
making, money and resources.
Why did you decide to take this trip? What
got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
I've been traveling the US for about 3 years now with my current
occupation. Although it's great, I don't have much time to explore the
scenery in the places I visit. About two years ago, my brother and I
started taking international trips for NYE, starting with Toronto,
Ontario, CND, then London, England, and this past year, Western Europe
(Berlin, Germany for NYE). The bug has grown and grown, at the same time,
my knowledge of who I am and what I really want from this world has yet
to become clear. I haven't taken time to figure out alot of things about
myself and my life. In great conversations with great friends I've talked
passionately about my desire, but only recently realized the possibility
of such an adventure!
What is your biggest fear about this
trip?
Running out of money too soon or not getting a job when necessary!
Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc.,
supportive of you? What is their opinion of your going around the
world?
Family is very supportive. Most of my true friends are as well. My
co-workers are a good number of my friends and it is in many of them that
I fear the rejection. So, as of now, I haven't shared this with any of
them. I plan on telling my boss (also a friend) and letting him know so
we can begin succession planning for my position. I will "drop the RTW
bomb" on the rest after the 1st of the year.
How much planning and preparing have you
done?
Just Enough
What are you packing? What do you consider
your most indispensable item(s)?
Bare minimum in clothing. I will take a sleeping bag and one person tent,
hygiene and first aid items as well as a journal, a camera and film.
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 hope it allows me to understand myself so that I can better understand
the world.
"Habit rules the unreflecting herd."
-William Wordsworth
If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings
about your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it
be?
The world is your classroom and life is the time you've got until your
dismissed.
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?
Vacations are for people who merely want to escape reality, only to
return to their preexisting comfort zones. RTW's are for people who want
to make the world their reality, expand their comfort zones and broaden
their horizons.
What is the biggest myth that people have
about round-the-world traveling?
That's it's impossible. Live modestly, save some cash, quit your job and
go. Life, work, stress -- it'll all be waiting for you when you get back.
Why do you like to travel?
What DON'T you like to travel would be a more difficult question. New
sights, sounds, people, perspectives, stories, experiences, adventures,
lessons learned, lessons taughts, opportunties, etc..
What is your advice for people planning
their own RTW trip?
Plan now! I'm about 10 months out and I KNOW I have so much to do!
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