Transformative Travel: Lessons from a Year Abroad

Start the New Year with a dose of travel inspiration:

In 2008, I decided to leave everything behind and venture across the globe. That choice altered my life forever. Recently, I stumbled upon an unpublished essay I wrote right after returning to the U.S. from a 13-month adventure abroad. Reading it reignited my desire to share my journey with you! Be prepared: this might inspire you to pack your bags and book a one-way flight!

Lessons from 27: A Year of Adventure

Turning 27 can be tricky. It creeps in quietly, caught between the joys of 21 and the anxiety of approaching 30. This age marks a pivotal shift—it could be the highlight or a low point in your life.

For many famous musicians, 27 is notorious. The infamous “27 Club”—Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Brian Jones, and Jim Morrison—never saw 28. For me, a regular person, it was a tough year that I managed to navigate.

My 26th year concluded with a financial downturn in 2008. The recession hit freelance photographers hard. I took a bold step and spent a year traveling to escape the economic chaos.

At 27, I was confronted like a close friend, urging me to stop ignoring my dreams. My previous excuses faded away. With a solid education, savings, and plenty of free time, I felt compelled to embrace my wanderlust. “Grab your passport,” she insisted. “You won’t regret a year spent exploring the world.” She was right. Staying put felt dull.

I spent several weeks on New Zealand's South Island, hiking Fox Glacier—my first glacier experience!

During the next 13 months, I explored Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Southeast Asia. It was an incredible journey filled with highs and lows, including moments of despair on unfamiliar bathroom floors. Yet, I realized 27 had lessons to teach me. The struggles were part of the journey. That year became my ultimate solo expedition, testing my bravery and resolve.

The first weeks of travel were blissful, but challenges followed. Finding housing in a foreign country proved nightmarish. I even considered a dubious “free internet and rice” ad out of desperation. Making friends in a city of four million was daunting, and my job search left me as a professional networker. Was I foolish to leap across the globe?

But 27 believed in me. I found myself on an airport shuttle in Fiji with four British travelers who had also quit their jobs. I wasn’t alone. I frequently met others who had chosen long-term travel, whether fresh out of college or leaving beloved careers behind. It’s commonplace for Europeans, Canadians, and Australians to embrace extended travel. Why is this mindset often missing for Americans? Though I’m not fearless, I learned that facing my fears can lead to growth. Perhaps those too scared to pursue their dreams are the truly unwise.

On a road trip along Australia's Great Ocean Road, we spotted koalas snoozing in trees!

Turning 27 also gave me a taste of being 21 again. I enjoyed cheap beers, lived on peanut butter sandwiches, and stayed in hostels. I spent a month road-tripping around Australia with two guys from Buffalo, NY. We camped in our rental car by the beach for three days and snuck into RV parks for showers. There’s nothing quite like living on the edge. Experiences far outweigh luxurious hotel stays and material goods.

I scuba dived in the Great Barrier Reef, hiked glaciers in New Zealand, and witnessed the sunrise at Angkor Wat. I might have even fallen for someone on a Thailand beach. (I blame the rum.) I soon found myself in a Western Union commercial after losing my wallet on that beach. (Again, the rum.) Calling my parents at 5 a.m. for a money transfer was my last resort. My adventures made me wish I had traveled after college, but I don’t regret the timing. I grew to value the freedom of 27 over the innocence of 21.

One of my favorite spots in Australia was the stunning Pinnacles rock formations at Nambung National Park. Totally worth the drive from Perth!

It soon became evident that relocating across the globe wouldn’t solve my problems or magically fix the economy. My car was still falling apart, and I struggled to stay in one place longer than six months without feeling restless. I panicked at every lease I signed. However, 27 taught me that life has no set timeline. I can grow at my own pace as long as I manage my rent.

Traveling makes me feel vibrantly alive. Every aspect of life abroad is thrilling, even simply walking down the street. Why does life seem clearer when you’re 5,000 miles from home? The pressures and stresses of my previous life lost their grip on me. That’s true freedom.

I eagerly anticipated turning 28. A year filled with battles cannot last forever. I bid farewell to 27 with drinks on a Thailand beach alongside some British friends. Yet, the lessons from 27 continued to resonate into 28, deepening my appreciation for my challenges and adventures.

I worked as a photographer in Southeast Asia for the summer and continued to work there for the next five summers. (Photo: Rice fields in Northern Thailand)

That year stripped me down to my essence, imparting wisdom about humility and patience. It was an intensive course in world history—learning about World War II in Australia, Cambodia’s turbulent past, Gandhi’s pursuit of peace, and the struggles of Burmese refugees. My time in Asia revealed that running water and 24-hour power are luxuries, not essentials.

27 didn’t prepare me for returning home. Perhaps she thought her work was complete or believed 28 would be a better instructor. Home felt unfamiliar. I was oblivious to sales tax and unsure of which way to look when crossing the street. Even the accents sounded strange. After living out of a suitcase for a year, I began decluttering my life and rejecting materialism.

I found myself longing for Sydney Harbor, Thai pancakes, and the sight of monks in saffron robes. Yet, a true traveler never stays put for long. The urge to spend another year exploring was replaced by the quest for my next adventure. Living out my dreams had become my new normal.

[I lived in Australia for a year on a Working Holiday Visa. For more information about Working Holiday Visas, contact info@savinghunt.com.]

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