I had traveled plenty of times before, but this time was different. I was going somewhere that I knew no one and was completely alone. I signed up for the International Diplomacy Program with the National Student Leadership Conference in Washington DC long before my anxiety got the best of me.
I was interested in politics but terrified of being outside my comfort zone. It was the summer before my senior year of high school so I would have to get used to being away from home. My biggest fear, as with all solo travelers, was that I wouldn’t meet anyone. But in between classes and roommates, I met plenty of new friends, including lots of people I am still in touch with.
In those two weeks, I visited the National Mall, Smithsonian Museums, every war monument, the Holocaust Museum and the Senate and House of Representatives. Overcoming that fear and anxiety made me realize I would do solo travel again and have many times since.
zablon says
travelling alone brings many fears, especially loneliness but when we get we are going we get to know many people and have so much fun and forget we are having problems
Robert Hart says
The Holocaust Museum is excellent, although very depressing.
Joe Burn says
Great post …..Smithsonian is a world class attraction for tourists.Had you visited the zoological park there.. ???