Women don't have to miss out on the empowering experience of trekking abroad alone. Safety issues can be remedied and adventure can be found while traveling solo near or far.
Going solo can mean saving money and avoiding a boring attraction or city that a travelmate insists on seeing, according to Benjamin Breault, adviser of hostelling club and a senior social studies education major.
Lone travelers can build travel skills and have the satisfaction of choosing everything from their train to how long to stay in a city or where to eat.
"When you travel alone you have no one to rely on but yourself," Breault said. "You're more likely to use that language you're semi-fluent in and to branch out and make new friends."
Lodging:
Staying in a hostel is potentially safer than a hotel, especially when traveling alone, according to Breault. Hotel rooms make it difficult to make friends and temporary travel buddies that can accompany and keep tabs on a lone traveler.
Overnight front desk staff is not uncommon and many hostels use swipe cards or keys to get into rooms. Lockers are provided but travelers should bring their own lock, Breault said.
Breault recommends that women opt to stay in six-bunk rooms rather than smaller ones.
"If there's 12 people staying in your room, it's really likely there will be quite a few females where as a four person room could potentially mean staying with groups of male friends," Breault said.
The best way to make new friends or travel buddies is to sit in a lobby or busy area and look approachable.
"Bring a book or photos to the hostel lobby or even to dinner," Breault said. "If you sit there with headphones on in a corner, you're not going to meet many people."
Drinking:
Women who plan to grab a drink alone should alert someone of their intended whereabouts, even if it's the front desk staff at their hostel or hotel. A quick way to let friends or family in on plans is to send a picture message with the address and name of the establishment, according to Breault.
"If you do plan on drinking more than a few [alcoholic drinks], make female friends at the hostel and agree to go home together from the pub," Breault said.
Breault warned that women should learn to be immediately assertive when they receive unwanted attention from strangers.
"Don't be nice and hope they go away. Assert that you are not interested immediately," Breault said. "If you accept free drinks, make sure you watch as they are mixed or opened."
Customs:
One of the most important factors for women to be aware of when packing is region-appropriate dress.
Breault stresses that wearing revealing clothing such as tank tops and short skirts, especially in certain regions of the world such as Central and South America, can send the wrong signal and encourage unwelcome attention.
"Do research about what women are wearing there," Breault said. "It's important to try to fit in - not just for safety, but so you can interact with people."
Snapping pictures and exploring may be a major part of exploration, but Breault said all travelers should be sure they are welcome to enter temples and churches or to take photos.
General Safety:
Making note of location of hostels, hotels or train stations may seem obvious, but forgetting to do so could result in a compromised situation, such as being alone in a crime-ridden neighborhood at night.
Mapping out an area prior to leaving the hotel or hostel is a good prevention measure. Travelers who pull out maps may send signals that they are tourists, and subsequently become a target for theft, Breault said.
"Attitude and common sense are the keys to staying safe. You don't want to walk around looking confused," Breault said.
