By Lauren Juliff
Student Travel Expert, about.com
If you've never traveled alone before it can be quite a daunting prospect. One of the most frequently expressed concerns of soon-to-be solo travelers is whether they'll be able to make friends on the road. I've been traveling solo on and off for over five years now and I'm happy to share that the answer is a resounding yes!
If
you want to meet people then your first step is to appear as
approachable as possible. Make eye contact and smile, ask how they're
doing. You can do this anywhere, whether it's when you're out exploring a
city, taking public transport, sitting in your dorm room or eating at a
restaurant. Appearing approachable will definitely help you out but
there are also a few activities that make it incredibly easy to make
friends.
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Stay in Hostel Dorm Rooms
This is quite simply the easiest way to make friends while traveling. Walk into your dorm room after checking in and there'll likely be somebody else already in the room you can strike up a conversation with.
The great thing about travel is that you'll
always have something in common with every traveler you meet. You'll be
able to chat about the places you've visited, where you're heading to
next and what your current plans are -- in fact, after a few weeks
you'll probably be sick of having the same conversation with everyone
you meet!
Hang Out in Communal Areas
While I've found dorm rooms to be the easiest way to make friends, it's still possible to do so if you plan on staying in private rooms in hostels.
Make sure that the hostel has a common room or bar and you'll have
plenty of opportunity to hang out with your fellow travelers. The great
thing about solo travel is that it actually makes you more approachable
than when you're traveling in a group or as a couple.
One of the
easiest ways to make friends is over group meals in hostels. Common
rooms can be daunting if everyone is on their laptop or hanging with
friends, but mealtimes really give you chance to hang out. Chat with
people over breakfast about their plans for the day, or chat with them
over dinner about what they've been up to and their plans for the next
day.
Join in on Group Activities
Hostels always have
something going on, so make sure you ask about these activities as soon
as you check in. Sign up for an event when you arrive and then you'll
have no excuses for not going on it. Whether it's a pub crawl or a
walking tour or a trip to Chernobyl, as I did in Kiev!
[post_ads]Take a group tour
A group tour
is a great way to meet new people while taking part in something
adventurous or interesting. Hostels usually have several well-priced
tours available at reception, which help you get to know your
hostelmates a little bit better. However, if your hostel doesn't offer
any tours, then look for a tour around the city that's aimed towards
twenty-something travelers. That is, of course, if you want to meet
people of a similar age. Some of the most interesting people I've met
while travelling have been over twice as old as me.
If you fancy a
multi-day tour through several cities or countries then look for a tour
company that's aimed towards students or twenty-somethings, such as Intrepid, Contiki or Busabout.
On a budget
and can't afford a tour? Try one of the free walking tours that
hundreds of cities offer around the world. It's a fantastic way to get
acquainted with a new city, and you can always see if somebody in your
group wants to explore more of the city with you afterwards.
Try volunteering
Volunteering
has become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to give back
to the country you're traveling through. As well as helping the local
community, volunteering also gives you the opportunity to practice and
develop your social skills. You'll be regularly spending time with
people with whom you share common interests, so it's extremely likely
you'll all be close friends at the end of your time together.
Take a class
Travel
is all about learning and experiencing new things. What better way to
do so than by taking a class in one of the countries you're visiting? It
could be salsa lessons in Argentina, cooking classes in Thailand, a
surf lesson in Bali or a SCUBA diving course in Thailand.
When you
take a class while traveling, you'll be able to learn new skills and
meet other people who have the same interests as you do.
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Be open to new experiences
Most
of all, be open to new experiences! If someone you meet invites you out
then say yes, even if you usually wouldn't go. Be open to new
opportunities -- you might even discover a new hobby or activity you
love.
