Tracy Foley is a grad student from near Boston, USA, who took a round-the-world trip in 2005 at age 24.
The Snapshot
- Departure: 2005
- Age at departure: 24
- Nationality: USA
- Location: near Boston, USA
- Duration: About 2 months (May–July 2005)
- Occupation: Grad student
- Original budget: USD 10,000 (approximately USD 17,400 in 2026 dollars)
- Regions: Europe, Southeast Asia, Oceania
The Route
In Their Words
Here's what Tracy Foley shared about their RTW journey:
How did your travels affect your career when you got back?
I’m behind on my thesis, so I’ve had to take an extension until May (I should have been done in December). I also am unable to work for the entire month of August in order to catch up on my research. Once school starts in Septemember and I start teaching again I’m going to be living paycheck-to-paycheck because I haven’t been able to save all summer.
Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
I was invited to take the course in Croatia and decided to continue my travels since I had no coursework to complete for the rest of the summer. I previously lived in Dublin, Ireland on a study/work abroad program and in Sydney, Australia in between my undergrad and grad programs. From Dublin I traveled to a few places around Europe, from Sydney I traveled around most of Australia and the south Island of New Zealand. I caught the travel bug hardcore.
2026 Context
- Budget inflation: This traveler's original budget of USD 10,000 would equate to approximately USD 17,400 in 2026 purchasing power, reflecting roughly 74% inflation over the intervening years.