Dave Kenny is a 24-year-old engineer from Ireland who set off on a round-the-world trip in 2002.
The Snapshot
- Departure: 2002
- Age at departure: 24
- Nationality: Ireland
- Location: Ireland
- Duration: 1-2 years
- Occupation: Engineer
- Original budget: about USD 9,200 (approximately USD 16,900 in 2026 dollars)
- Regions: Europe, Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania, South America
The Route
In Their Words
Here's what Dave Kenny shared about their RTW journey:
Is this job one that you actually like, or are you only doing it to pay for the trip?
It’s my career.
Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
Because I feel I really need to do something like this while I’m still young and have always planned on doing it. I’ve got a burning ambition to see the world, meet new people and experience different cultures. And I’m getting very pissed off with this working 9-6 😉
What is your biggest fear about this trip?
Getting sick somewhere and having to be brought home.
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?
Yes, I’m hoping it will open my eyes to the world around me and maybe give me an idea on where I would like to live for a couple of years. I think it will be a humbling experience.
If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings about your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it be?
Bring it on..
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?
You have to live in a place to really learn anything about the culture. In a 2-3 week holiday you are given a glossy touristy view of a place; you might see the sights, but you won’t learn anything from the people living there or get a taste for how they live their lives.
2026 Context
- Budget inflation: This traveler's early-2000s budget would equate to approximately USD 16,900 in 2026 purchasing power (roughly USD 9,200 at 2002 prices, about 84% cumulative inflation).