Brooke Schoenman is a 23-year-old IT analyst from Peoria, Illinois, USA, who set off on a round-the-world trip in 2008.
NOW OR NEVER. I feel like if I don't do this now I'll have a much more difficult time doing it in the future. I have always loved traveling, and I studied in Italy for a semester in college (and that really changed me). I came back feeling different, more confident, patient, enlightened. Since I've been back, I feel like I've lost a little of that spice I gained and I miss it. I want to feel alive again.
The Snapshot
- Departure: 2008
- Age at departure: 23
- Nationality: USA
- Location: Peoria, Illinois, USA
- Duration: 6-12 months
- Occupation: IT analyst
- Original budget: USD 3,500 (approximately USD 5,400 in 2026 dollars)
- Regions: South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania
The Route
In Their Words
Here's what Brooke Schoenman shared about their RTW journey:
What is your biggest fear about this trip?
Getting sick. Getting malaria or having to go to a foreign hospital.
Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc., supportive of you? What is their opinion of your going around the world?
Supportive. Understanding... I've been talking about this forever now. My boyfriend is actually planning on going with me.
2026 Context
- Budget inflation: This traveler's original budget of USD 3,500 would equate to approximately USD 5,400 in 2026 purchasing power, reflecting roughly 54% inflation over the intervening years.