Hi.
So my (high) school's French program is putting together a trip to visit Senegal over spring break. And I'm not sure if I want to go.
Background on the trip:
If you're unfamiliar with Senegal, it's a francophone country in West Africa known for its hospitality. The US State Department (pretty sure, don't quote me on the source) rates it a 1 in terms of safety, which just means the biggest problems you really run into are health things and pickpocketing. More or less at least. The trip is mostly sight-seeing with trips to a lot of historical sites and cultural locations. There would be about 6 of us on the trip. My teacher likes me and has encouraged me to go on this trip. (She studied in Senegal for 2 years, then went back to do this training thing for Senegalese soldiers.)
The trip sounds really interesting to me, but I hate packing and big travel trips. It makes me super stressed that maybe I forgot something. Also, I'm super scared that I'm just gonna hate it. I don't know the people going on the trip, and while there's not going to be much time for like cliques to form (teacher's words – 'cause we'll be traveling and also there's only 6 of us), I have a really hard time connecting with people super fast. I do know most everyone going to a degree, but none of them are really my friends or anyone I talk to outside of class.
(I used to be on a swim team for 4-ish years and I made one friend, but to be fair, they were really pretentious people. But even though I've gotten much better at making fast friends, it doesn't always work out super fast for me, and since it's only 10-ish days, I'm worried I'm just gonna keep to myself and it'll be a big oof.)
Honestly, I would just like some advice on the matter, or maybe some stories of some of your traveling abroad experiences and what you thought of it.
Thank you!
So my (high) school's French program is putting together a trip to visit Senegal over spring break. And I'm not sure if I want to go.
Background on the trip:
If you're unfamiliar with Senegal, it's a francophone country in West Africa known for its hospitality. The US State Department (pretty sure, don't quote me on the source) rates it a 1 in terms of safety, which just means the biggest problems you really run into are health things and pickpocketing. More or less at least. The trip is mostly sight-seeing with trips to a lot of historical sites and cultural locations. There would be about 6 of us on the trip. My teacher likes me and has encouraged me to go on this trip. (She studied in Senegal for 2 years, then went back to do this training thing for Senegalese soldiers.)
The trip sounds really interesting to me, but I hate packing and big travel trips. It makes me super stressed that maybe I forgot something. Also, I'm super scared that I'm just gonna hate it. I don't know the people going on the trip, and while there's not going to be much time for like cliques to form (teacher's words – 'cause we'll be traveling and also there's only 6 of us), I have a really hard time connecting with people super fast. I do know most everyone going to a degree, but none of them are really my friends or anyone I talk to outside of class.
(I used to be on a swim team for 4-ish years and I made one friend, but to be fair, they were really pretentious people. But even though I've gotten much better at making fast friends, it doesn't always work out super fast for me, and since it's only 10-ish days, I'm worried I'm just gonna keep to myself and it'll be a big oof.)
Honestly, I would just like some advice on the matter, or maybe some stories of some of your traveling abroad experiences and what you thought of it.
Thank you!
USA Advisory on travel to Senegal
Having spent 16 1/2 years in the Navy, I have been to Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Whenever I travel I will look at advisories for the places I was visiting. Having been by myself in certain area's always keep you head on a swivel. Wallet always in the front pocket along with the passport. Don't go off the main drag for anything. Any place you go has the potential to be good or bad. You have to be cognizant of your surroundings. Good luck.
Having spent 16 1/2 years in the Navy, I have been to Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Whenever I travel I will look at advisories for the places I was visiting. Having been by myself in certain area's always keep you head on a swivel. Wallet always in the front pocket along with the passport. Don't go off the main drag for anything. Any place you go has the potential to be good or bad. You have to be cognizant of your surroundings. Good luck.
I went on a tour of Europe for two weeks when I was in high school as part of a band thing. Basically, anyone in band in any high school on our island in Hawaii could go on the trip as long as they could afford it. The tour was sight-seeing, but we did performances in various cities and such as well. I was the only one from my high school who went, so I was really apprehensive about going because I thought I wasn't going to make friends, I thought I'd be alone, etc, etc.
But my parents encouraged me to do it. So I went, I loved it, had the time of my life, and enjoyed every minute of it. I made some friends, met some people I didn't care for too much, but overall it was a lot of fun. And the adult chaperones there of course made sure everyone was looked after and if someone forgot something, they ensured that they had it or got it for them.
I love travel, I go abroad often, but even though plane rides stress me out a bit...Sadly, it's a necessary evil and once you get to your destination, it's worth it.
Even if you keep to yourself, it's still something that you can enjoy on your own terms. I've ducked away from groups to wander a museum alone before, so no shame in that. I guess the main thing to weigh is if you'll be able to go to Senegal again in the future? Is this trip something that's a rare opportunity? And would you regret not going?
But my parents encouraged me to do it. So I went, I loved it, had the time of my life, and enjoyed every minute of it. I made some friends, met some people I didn't care for too much, but overall it was a lot of fun. And the adult chaperones there of course made sure everyone was looked after and if someone forgot something, they ensured that they had it or got it for them.
I love travel, I go abroad often, but even though plane rides stress me out a bit...Sadly, it's a necessary evil and once you get to your destination, it's worth it.
Even if you keep to yourself, it's still something that you can enjoy on your own terms. I've ducked away from groups to wander a museum alone before, so no shame in that. I guess the main thing to weigh is if you'll be able to go to Senegal again in the future? Is this trip something that's a rare opportunity? And would you regret not going?
i think you should consider if you could get some help with packing; either write a list where you can cross off every thing you’ve put into your suitcase or perhaps get a family member or friend to help you out!
maybe you can ask your teacher if you can get the names of the other students you’ll be traveling with; you could create a messenger (or whatever social media you use) group and get to know each other a bit beforehand
maybe you can ask your teacher if you can get the names of the other students you’ll be traveling with; you could create a messenger (or whatever social media you use) group and get to know each other a bit beforehand
I travel as much as I possibly can, and although packing and the travel over there can be stressful, I always come out of it thinking that I'm happy I went. I've seen a lot, been quite a few places - even places that I probably shouldn't have been, and I've never regretted doing it.
Having worked in an airport, and grown up with airport families around me, I don't get stressed out with the process of traveling on a plane. Actually, airports always kind of feel like home to me.
Recently, I've bought myself a bulletjournal to log my travels. I have a page for travel info (flight, hotel, transportation), a page for packing with boxes that I can tick off when it's packed, a page or two for must-see sights and/or food, and then the rest is used as a diary. It's nice to be organized, but it's also pretty fun to look back and see where I've been, with who and when.
Usually when I travel, I have a small-medium sized suitcase, that I check into the cargo hold. I then have a backpack with my most important possessions (never check something you can't afford to lose), and entertainment for the trip. I recommend books/ebooks, something to listen to (music, audio books, podcasts), crosswords and drawing supplies, if you're into that. You can also find a bunch of travel sized games, which can be a great ice breaker if you're nervous about traveling with people you don't really know (:
I also always have my camera on me. Not only do I enjoy photography, but it's also great for the moments where you don't really feel like talking to the people you're with. I find that most people let you just tag silently along when taking pictures.
I can't really decide for you, but I definitely think you should seize the opportunity and go. Even if it's not 100% fun while you're there, I don't think you'd ever regret going. I once lived abroad for six months, and although it was really, really tough to be without family and friends, I've never regretted going. I've only every regretted not going places, really.
Ultimately, you should do what's best for you! (:
Having worked in an airport, and grown up with airport families around me, I don't get stressed out with the process of traveling on a plane. Actually, airports always kind of feel like home to me.
Recently, I've bought myself a bulletjournal to log my travels. I have a page for travel info (flight, hotel, transportation), a page for packing with boxes that I can tick off when it's packed, a page or two for must-see sights and/or food, and then the rest is used as a diary. It's nice to be organized, but it's also pretty fun to look back and see where I've been, with who and when.
Usually when I travel, I have a small-medium sized suitcase, that I check into the cargo hold. I then have a backpack with my most important possessions (never check something you can't afford to lose), and entertainment for the trip. I recommend books/ebooks, something to listen to (music, audio books, podcasts), crosswords and drawing supplies, if you're into that. You can also find a bunch of travel sized games, which can be a great ice breaker if you're nervous about traveling with people you don't really know (:
I also always have my camera on me. Not only do I enjoy photography, but it's also great for the moments where you don't really feel like talking to the people you're with. I find that most people let you just tag silently along when taking pictures.
I can't really decide for you, but I definitely think you should seize the opportunity and go. Even if it's not 100% fun while you're there, I don't think you'd ever regret going. I once lived abroad for six months, and although it was really, really tough to be without family and friends, I've never regretted going. I've only every regretted not going places, really.
Ultimately, you should do what's best for you! (:
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