Traveling Light

Indie Travel Notebook: Too Young to Travel?

Mon Apr 3, 11:00 AM ET

TRAVEL QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Dear Rolf,

I am currently 18 years old and have recently graduated from high school. Having done a bit of traveling with my parents during my high school career and having loved every minute of it, I've had the 'bug' for quite a while. I'm wondering if it is common, or acceptable, for a person of my age to head off for an extended trip? Or would you suggest that if college is in my future, which is most definitely is, to pursue college first and then head off?

- Andy S., Woodbury, NJ

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Dear Andy,

You ask a great question. Should one pursue long-term travel right out of high school, or wait until college is finished? To be sure, the vagabonding road is full of intelligent, energetic, and capable young people traveling right out of high school. Many of them are from Europe or Australia (where long-term travel is more of a cultural norm), but young Americans have been prolific overseas travelers since the days of the 1960's Hippie Trail, and before.

Personally, I chose to go to college before I traveled. For me this was a good choice because I wasn't quite psychically ready for it at age 18, and four years of college gave me some extra maturity and confidence. It helped that, with the help of scholarships, I was able to get through college without much debt (which, admittedly, is not possible for everyone), and hence I was able to go vagabonding within a year of graduation (after first working as a landscaper and saving money for eight months). In this way, college was a good prelude to my later journeys.

But some people are ready to travel right out of high school. They can find decent jobs to fund their travels, and avoid the financial debts they might incur in college. And, even more importantly, some people simple aren't ready for college right out of high school. Travel can be a good way to add focus to one's life. Whereas an 18-year-old freshman might have no idea what he wants to study, a student who has a year or two of travel under his belt will start college with a lot more passion and heightened focus for what interests him.

In a way, travel (if done mindfully) is a complete education unto itself, and can be implemented either before or after formal university studies. In the end, it's a matter of personal inspiration, preparation, and attitude. If you think you can travel the world right out of high school, you probably can!

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TRAVEL CLASSIC OF THE MONTH

Video Night in Kathmandu by Pico Iyer

Iyer's 1988 literary debut is an answer to all those critics who claim that great travel writing died once the terra incognita was mapped. As this Asia-themed collection of essays shows, the final frontier of adventure isn't located on some distant mountain or impenetrable jungle, but in the intimate (and often comical) cross-cultural fascinations and discoveries that arise from an ever-shrinking world.

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TRAVEL QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"A lot of us first aspired to far-ranging travel and exotic adventure early in our teens; these ambitions are, in fact, adolescent in nature, which I find an inspiring idea. Adolescence is the time in our lives when we are the most open to new ideas, the most idealistic. Thus, when we allow ourselves to imagine as we once did, we are not at all in our right minds. We are somewhere in a world of dream, and we know, with a sudden jarring clarity, that if we don't go right now, we're never going to do it. And we'll be haunted by our unrealized dreams and know that we have sinned against ourselves gravely."

--Tim Cahill, "Exotic Places Made Me Do It", Outside, March '02

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Comments

Join the discussion. Here you'll see the comments in the order they were posted.

1
Dear Andy, I say go for it. If it's a bug kill it w/ great travel and just have fun. You might be too distracted in college because you are thinking of travelling. One will actually learn from all the experiences, broaden your horizon. If you dont have a pending scholarship, I would say go for it. Being carefree is a very precious thing, allow yourself to be uninhibited and unreserved. May I suggest the the beautiful contry of Belize in Central America my native land. Visit the off shore island of Caye Caulker(pronounced key-cawker). You will be placed back in time. Neither of the three streets are paved , every one walks bare footed, and if you enjoy or would like to experience water sports, fishing or deep sea diving this would be ideal at the right price. Its the #2 place next to Hawaii for deep sea diving, but not as pricey. You can actually, hitch down through the States and we are right below Mexico. Allow your dreams to come true. Andrea Staten Island P.S. Try to keep a journal
Posted by andreahaylock73 on Mon, Apr 3, 2006 4:48 PM ET
2
Dear Andy, There's nothing that says you can't do both! Check out the study abroad options at the colleges you're looking at, and be sure to find out if any departments offer field schools or "learning vacations" for credit. One of my friends spent a semester in London, and another spent several weeks in both Greece and Belize in one summer via archaeology field schools. Another friend took a several week vacation in Florence with a group of students and professors and received credit for it. There are also organizations such as CIEE (www.ciee.org) that will help you organize an exchange or semester abroad. The best part is, while federal aid doesn't cover study outside the U.S., many schools will work with students to provide financial aid for these opportunities. Student loans are also available, if you're earning credit for the trip.
Posted by mayhemwench on Tue, Apr 4, 2006 12:31 AM ET
3
Andy, I think Collegate studies are best tackled when you are fresh from your high school studies. Its kind of like training for sports. If you stop, you rarely pick up where you left off. You'll have to get back into the swing of things. You'll have to make that judgement if skipping school to travel or getting into your studies right away is best. I was having difficulties in my studies and my university asked me to take a break from my studies and go elsewhere. I took a job, I worked, studied part time, then decided to see some of the world. I am so glad I did. I wouldn't give the experience up but it was very tough to come back to my studies motivation or not. As far as combining both I don't recommend the studies abroad. Both really need your full attention. I don't know what your finances are for schooling but keep in mind the high costs of education. Chances are you might find yourself deep in debt after your studies. That might prevent you a chance to travel since you'll have some student loans to deal with. A good "heads up" article you might read is http://biz.yahoo.com/special/youngearn06_article1.html A friend at work was very intrigued when he heard I had traveled during my University years. It was his idea that it would be best to travel while we were young and could enjoy it more. Then we could work till the grave but live with far fewer regrets. Good luck with your decision. This will really be one that will affect the rest of your life. Aloha
Posted by adam_homebuy on Tue, Apr 4, 2006 2:04 PM ET
4
Andy, looks like you are more mature than your age 18 indicates. Travelling is lot like posting on a Yahoo forum, it takes bravery in your heart. The first step of your travel is the hardest; once you have purchased that plane ticket or applied for that oversea Visa, then the rest is much easier. I can suggetst you can check out others' travel blogs in www.travelpod.com or even post your own! Take care, happy travels!!
Posted by umpan000 on Tue, Apr 4, 2006 2:27 PM ET
5
Hey Andy, get on the road! If I'd known at 18 what I know now (at 41), I would have followed my passions, and I believe my current career as a full-time travel writer would have blossomed much earlier. I cherish my university diploma, but it doesn't hold a candle to any of the experiences I've had on the road. Travel safely and have fun!
Posted by jrandalls on Fri, Apr 7, 2006 2:28 PM ET
6
Andy, I'm 25 now. When I was 18 I moved to Brazil as an Exchange student. After that I went to college. Now I'm married and I live in Japan teaching English. Here's the trick, get someone else to pay for your traveling. Other then that, get out on the road. Have fun!
Posted by jazinbrasil on Sun, Apr 9, 2006 4:47 AM ET
7
Dear Andy, I'm only 17 years old and I went to the States when I was 15 as an exchange student and this has made me more mature and experienced in every which way. Now I go to college in Milan, Italy and I love every bits of travelling so I would say go for it! Have fun!
Posted by aka10gis on Sun, Apr 9, 2006 9:25 PM ET
8
Andy- Here's a switch on your question. My son and I, after his graduation from high school, decided to hit the road to see the world. He'd begun college and, not knowing what he wanted to do, dropped out. It was then that I suggested a bit of travel. (An inheritance facilitated our mutual adventure.) He was 18 at the time, I 55. To make the story short, we spent the better part of 3 years on the road, hitting some 60 countries on 6 continents...many being visited repeatedly. Despite numerous unpleasant father-son conflicts, he later sent me a card saying, "Thanks, Dad, for taking me screming and kicking to some of the most beautiful places in the world. My son, having recently graduated with honors from college, now teaches in Japan. Before or after college...TRAVEL, get to know the world and its people!
Posted by chipathome on Thu, Apr 13, 2006 11:26 AM ET
9
Andy - Get going! I graduated HS 1 semester early and took off around the world on the cheap - hitching thru Europe, cheap trains in Asia, and hitching again in Oz-NZ. My parents bribed me back with offers to pay for my college. That trip was 9 months and was only the start. After 1 1/2 years of college, I took off to cross Africa on the cheap then all the way from Turkey to London. I ended up earning several college degrees AND have taken several trips where my parents worried if I would ever make it backs. I worked a couple years in Europe too and met my wife there. I still stay in touch with people I met in Europe from more than 20 years ago. Now we take our kids all over the world. Skip the study abroad for now. The best deal is an around the world ticket that allows flexible dates. Don't like Dehli? Head on to Hong Kong. See where the wind takes you. Good luck! You will not regret it.
Posted by tcaplus on Tue, Apr 25, 2006 1:12 PM ET
10
I can't say go straight to college or go travelling, I went to college and wasted a year but I don't think at 18 I would have handled the world very well at all. One thing I will say whether you go straight to college or not, look at study abroad programs through your school. I've been on two and wouldn't trade the experiences for the world, they are also the only way I could get my parents to pay for me to stay in Ireland for 6 weeks and wander around the country doing as I pleased for the most part. But if you don't travel now, travel later.
Posted by gurlyangel2001 on Sun, Apr 30, 2006 1:38 AM ET