Discovering Your Adventure Goals: A Guide to Living and Working Abroad
There are many reasons, such as fulfilling a sense of adventure, experiencing different cultures and viewpoints, seeing famous sights, and seeking professional growth or a higher salary.
Goal setting is a common practice that individuals of all ages embrace, and with so many life goals to pursue, it is essential to categorize them into distinct areas. In this article, we will explore the exciting realm of "adventure" life goals, which are closely tied to the exhilaration of travel. By studying these goals, we hope to ignite a spark of inspiration within you, encouraging the formulation of your exciting aspirations.
Traveling Solo
A solo traveler is a person who decides to embark on a long or short journey in which they are both physically and emotionally separated from the people and the culture they are familiar with. Traveling solo does not mean being alone; it means having company only when you want it. For example, you can explore via an organized tour but only know people in the group after arriving. You can also travel alone but enjoy interacting with local people. Alternatively, you can be an introverted solo traveler who explores independently and wants time alone in peace.
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Traveling solo has been a rising trend for several years now. Google said the "travel solo" search volume quadrupled from 2014 to 2020. Furthermore, Airbnb reflected a growing number of home bookings for individual travelers. Based on this data, Airbnb reported trending solo travel destinations, including Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Mexico City in Mexico; Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam; Johannesburg in South Africa; and São Paolo in Brazil. Have you been to any of these places?
Another exciting aspect is the rise of solo female travel. The first solo female travel group on Facebook was created in 2015, and since then, many more online communities have appeared to connect women who travel solo.
When traveling solo, people seek adventure, relaxation, solitude, connection, or self-development. It is a unique experience and can be an enriching way of traveling. You have the freedom to do what you want to do, and you can get to know yourself better. Many people report feeling more independent and confident after traveling alone.
Resources for Traveling Solo:
35+ Best Places to Travel Alone in Europe: Solo Travel Guide: This article lists some of the best destinations for solo travelers in Europe, including Prague and Český Krumlov in the Czech Republic. It also provides tips on safety, budget, accommodation, and activities for solo travelers.
Solo Travel Europe: 32+ Tips You Need To Know: This article provides general advice on planning and enjoying a European solo trip. It covers choosing destinations, transportation, accommodations, dining, and saving money. Additionally, it includes tips from other solo travelers who have visited Europe.
Top 10 Central Europe Tours for Singles / Solo Travelers - TourRadar: This website lets you browse and book tours for single and solo travelers in Central Europe, including the Czech Republic. You can filter the tours by duration, price, rating, and departure date. Additionally, you can read reviews from previous travelers who have joined the tours.
Take a road trip
A road trip is a journey traveled by car. There is a notion of long duration when we talk about road trips. There is no precise time, but you must drive long distances and see the landscape. Another characteristic of road trippers is they only sometimes know where they will sleep, what they will see, or even when they will stop. That's because the goal of a road trip is not just to reach the destination but also to enjoy the journey itself.
Road trips have existed since the construction of the first roads. They were called pilgrimages, but they were a form of travel on the road. Nowadays, road trips are often associated with crossing state lines or traveling long distances on highways. Especially in America, road trips became popular with long highways that help cross-country travel.
Route 66, the Main Street of America, stretches from Chicago to Santa Monica and is a living icon of early modern road-tripping. It was born out of a growing and expanding America – those who wanted to migrate west needed a way to get from small, rural towns to more prominent, urban cities.
Road trips are full of the unexpected, sometimes good, sometimes bad, but always fun. A road trip prepares a person to take on challenges in life. When you can be in a new location each day or within a few hours, you are exposed to different 'slices of life.' Spontaneous experiences and environments on the open road allow you to gain a sense of spontaneity and perspective on where you are in your own life.
Resources for Road Trips:
The Best Road Trips in Central and Eastern Europe: This article lists some of the best road trip itineraries in Central and Eastern Europe. One itinerary covers the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, and Austria. The article also provides safety tips, budget advice, accommodation options, and activity ideas for road trippers.
Road Trip Eastern Europe: a 2-week travel itinerary: This article provides a detailed guide on planning and enjoying a two-week road trip in Eastern Europe, starting from Prague and ending in Vienna. It includes what to see and do in each destination, maps, and photos.
Traveling Eastern and Central Europe: Highlights and Travel Tips From 5 Incredible Months: This article shares the personal experience and advice of a couple who traveled around Eastern and Central Europe for five months. They visited 14 countries, including the Czech Republic, and drove over 10,000 kilometers. They also recommend some of the best places to visit, eat, and stay along the way.
Studying abroad
Studying abroad is an opportunity to pursue an educational program in a foreign country. Some people study abroad to develop their foreign language skills or to improve their ability to work productively with other cultures. In addition, studying overseas opens the door to a new world and new points of view that foster cross-cultural learning. It's a fully immersive experience that can transform a person's global perspective, cultural understanding, and even their way of life.
Have you ever wondered how studying abroad and international education got its start? Was it even a thing a hundred years ago? The first-ever instance of "study abroad" was Emo of Friesland, who traveled from northern Holland to study at Oxford University in 1190. In more modern history, one of the most popular programs is the Erasmus program( European Union student exchange program), established in 1987. Only 3,244 students went abroad during its first year, and the program involved only 11 countries.
What started as a student exchange program in 1987 has grown bigger and enriched the lives of over 10 million direct participants. Today, more than 300,000 students study or train under the Erasmus each year. Studies have shown Erasmus enhances students' quality of life and career prospects. 80 % of Erasmus graduates are employed within three months of graduation, with 72 % stating their Erasmus experience helped them land their first job. As an Erasmus alumnus, the program has helped enrich my career.
Being a student in a foreign country can redefine your outlook and approach toward studies. You learn to adapt to the different teaching and learning methodologies in a new place. However, many students find studying abroad is more about personal development than academics, as adapting to a new culture can be challenging and has ups and downs.
Some people studying abroad experience homesickness or depression at some point during their program. After returning home, they may feel frustrated or lonely again because friends and family don't understand what they experienced and how they changed. If you work through these culture shocks by the end of your program, your newfound global perspective will undoubtedly impact how you approach your education, career, family, friends, and community back home, whether you know it or not.
Resources for Studying Abroad:
International Scholarships to Study in Eastern Europe: This article lists scholarships for international students who want to study in various Eastern European countries, including the Czech Republic. It also includes links to more information and application details for each scholarship.
Central and Eastern European Studies | Lund University: This is the website for the Central and Eastern European Studies program at Lund University in Sweden. The program offers bachelor's and master's degrees and Ph.D. studies in Central and Eastern European history, culture, politics, and society. Additionally, it has exchange agreements with several regional universities, including Charles University in Prague.
Study Abroad Programs in Central and Eastern Europe: This website offers a variety of study abroad programs in Central and Eastern Europe, ranging from short-term to summer to year-long options. It also provides participant reports and tips for maximizing your study abroad experience.
Work abroad
Working abroad refers to teaching, interning, or volunteering in a foreign country, often through a program. People gain work experience while immersed in an unfamiliar work environment, although the position may be paid or unpaid.
You can work abroad at any time that suits you, whether it is just for a few months, a couple of years, or something more permanent. Some options such as a working holiday visa, have age-restrictions.However, plenty of alternatives are available for people of all working ages.
The oldest program listed in the Institution of International Education's is one for teaching abroad, Princeton-in-Asia, founded in 1898. In addition, reciprocal work-exchange programs were founded after World War II to foster peace, including the Fulbright scholarship and teaching programs.
Why do people want to work abroad? There are many reasons, such as fulfilling a sense of adventure, experiencing different cultures and viewpoints, seeing famous sights and attractions, and seeking professional growth or a higher salary. Depending on your skill set, various career opportunities may be open outside your home market.
According to the Small Business Prices survey, people desire to relocate for work due to the following reasons:
● To experience a different culture and country and work abroad: 69%
● To have a better life: 63%
● To move overseas with their partner: 53%
● To reduce the cost of living: 53%
Interestingly, the biggest temptation for working abroad is the chance to experience a completely different culture. However, for any significant change in life, finding work abroad takes time, dedication, and careful planning. There is more to it than just hopping on a plane and attending a few job interviews. If you're asking yourself, "How can I work abroad?" follow 24Hour Journal because we will share more on this topic.
Resources for Working Abroad:
Working in another EU country: This website, maintained by the European Commission, provides information on working in another EU country. It covers income taxes, recognition of qualifications, unemployment benefits, work permits, and the European Professional Card. Additionally, it offers links to other helpful websites and services for EU workers.
Work in Europe: This is the website of Europass, a platform that assists you in creating your Europass CV, the best-known CV format in Europe. It also supports planning your career and discovering new employment opportunities across Europe. You can browse for jobs, courses, and volunteer activities on the website.
Working abroad: This is the website of Your Europe, a portal that provides information on the rights and opportunities available to EU citizens. It covers topics such as working for an employer or as a self-employed person in another EU country, living conditions, social security systems, and regulated professions.
Do volunteer work
Volunteer work is a free, non-profit activity that usually serves the common good. The person who offers their time is a volunteer. Volunteering is often associated with solo travel, as more than 70% of volunteers travel alone.
The origin of volunteering can be traced back to 12th century Britain, where volunteers operated over 500 hospitals. Initially, volunteering was strongly connected to religion and religious institutions. Today, the word is associated with community service.
One of the most well-known humanitarian organizations in the world, the Red Cross, was founded during the Civil War when volunteers were organizing to provide free medical care. However, the biggest revolution in volunteering happened much later, with the invention of the Internet. Connecting individuals and organizations from all around the world makes it possible to spread the word globally.
Why do organizations use volunteers? The bottom line is that more work than money is available to pay staff. By relying on a volunteer base, a larger percentage of an organization's profits can be used to support its mission rather than pay staff wages directly.
Volunteering abroad is a perfect way to immerse yourself in a new culture, meet new people, and make a positive impact overseas. People volunteer for. You will meet like-minded people and make friends. Many people experience a sense of fulfillment when they know they're helping others.
Resources for Volunteering:
All opportunities: This website, the European Youth Portal, allows you to search and apply for various EU-funded volunteering opportunities in Europe and beyond. You can filter these opportunities by activity, country, type, topic, and date. Additionally, you can view the options on a map or in a list.
Volunteering opportunities with the European Solidarity Corps: This website, Your Europe, provides information on how to volunteer in the EU and abroad with the European Solidarity Corps. This program supports young people who want to engage in solidarity activities and offers practical tips and advice for volunteers.
Volunteer in Europe: This website showcases a variety of volunteer programs in Europe, ranging from environmental conservation to social work. You can compare and book these programs online and read reviews and ratings from previous volunteers.
Learning a new language
Language learning involves developing the ability to communicate in a second or foreign language. This process includes listening, speaking, reading, writing, and sometimes even learning a new alphabet and writing format.
Although the need to learn foreign languages is almost as old as human history itself, the origins of modern language education are in the study and teaching of Latin in the 17th century. For centuries, Latin had been the dominant language of education, commerce, religion, and government in much of the Western world. However, by the end of the 16th century, French and Italian had primarily displaced it, and eventually, the English language became the "international language."
The reason English became an international language is rooted in historical events of the last three to four centuries, and most importantly, it is due to the aggressive colonial politics of the British Crown in the 17 century that English became so widespread due to the occupation.
Nowadays, knowing English gives you access to a wealth of information. For example, most Internet resources (up to 80 %) are in English. Also, increasing globalization has created a great need for people in the workforce who can communicate in multiple languages.
Why do people learn languages? There are as many different answers to this question as there are language learners. Babbel's survey shows that 53 % of respondents want to communicate better when traveling, and 46 % are simply interested in the language.
Learning a language can greatly improve the travel experience. By knowing the basics of the local language, you can easily get around places and make travel much more accessible, turning it into a fun and memorable experience.
There is a comprehensive agreement that learning a new language is like gaining a new life and makes us more human. Proverbs from around the world reflect this view; for instance, the first president of Czechoslovakia, Tomáš G. Masaryk, made this point when he wrote: "The more languages you know, the more human you are."
Resources for Learning A New Language:
Source Language Teaching Group: This website belongs to Central European University and offers courses in less commonly taught source languages, such as Arabic, Hebrew, Latin, Greek, Turkish, and other languages of Central, Eastern, and Southeast Europe. The courses are free of charge for CEU students, faculty, and staff and are subject to regular registration procedures.
Common European Framework of Reference for Language Skills: The Europass website provides information about the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The CEFR is a standard scale that describes language proficiency levels. The website offers self-assessment tools and examples of language certificates that align with the CEFR.
Online learning resources: This website belongs to the European Education Area and provides a wide range of online learning materials and platforms for different levels and subjects of education, including languages. It also features EU-funded projects that support online learning.
Although goal-setting may seem like a mere frivolity, it is a fundamental component of personal growth and development. By defining and pursuing adventures, you open yourself to a world of possibilities, particularly when living and working abroad. The journey towards achieving these goals can be exhilarating and transformative, providing valuable experiences and lifelong memories.
So, take the inspiration and guidance offered in this article to heart, and start crafting your list of adventure goals. Embrace the excitement of venturing into new territories, immersing yourself in different cultures, and seizing opportunities that await you beyond your comfort zone. Your path toward living and working abroad begins with a clear vision and the determination to turn your dreams into reality. Let your adventure begin!
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