Way back in 2014 I was debating what to study at uni.
Midwifery? I failed biology so that was a no-go.
Sociology? What kind of career would a Sociology degree get me?
Primary Education? This was a pretty competitive course to get onto.
Languages? Well I was sold at the words ‘Study abroad’.
So there I chose to study TESOL (Teaching English to speakers of other languages) with Spanish and Italian. This was my first step into what would become the most amazing 4 years that would inspire me to want to travel to everywhere imaginable. I spent, and still spend, hours studying maps, searching for cheap flights, planning routes and finding the best budget hostels with the best atmosphere (this is my no.1 essential when solo travelling.)
I was very lucky that unlike most language degrees that only allow you to spend a total of one year either studying or working abroad, my degree consisted of a work abroad year AND an ERASMUS (study abroad) semester. Perfect! I was allocated Bergamo in northern Italy for my ERASMUS semester and I worked as a language assistant in Vigo, Spain for a year. It was during both of these experiences that I well and truly got the travel bug.
My travels haven’t always been plain sailing though. I’ve been in a sinking boat in Thailand, almost veered off the side of a mountain in a bus in Vietnam, had a strange African man try get in my bed in Cambodia and got bitten by a spider in Budapest to the point my ankle swelled that much I could no longer stand (which wasn’t great considering I was at a week-long festival!) But hey, those are the moments that make great memories.
Travelling isn’t always luxurious and carefree, especially when you’re on a budget. So here I am, to share with you all the handy tips, hard truths and funny stories from my adventures as well as the what not to dos from first-hand experience.