How to Set Personal Development Goals for an International Backpacking Trip

You've decided to invest time and money in an international backpacking trip. Why not set some goals for yourself to make this a personal learning adventure to discover and develop new strengths in yourself?

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Journal
• Local Guidebooks
• Phrase Books
• Two-way Foreign Language Dictionaries
• Postage Stamps
• Drawing Pencils
• Personalized Stationery
• Sketchbooks
• Internal-frame Backpacks

1. Consider the different growth opportunities inherent to solo travel vs. partner or group travel. Solo travel may challenge you to meet new people, be comfortable spending time alone, and be resourceful and brave in new ways; group travel may challenge you to be flexible and cooperative, address interpersonal issues, and embrace your own unique strengths and talents.

2. Think about your real and perceived physical strengths and limitations. Identify ways in which this trip will offer you opportunities to expand your ideas about your capabilities, to get in shape, or to learn new skills.

3. Set a goal to talk or interact with at least two strangers a day, preferably people of the local culture. If you consider yourself an extrovert who regularly talks with strangers, consider challenging yourself to interact with people you might normally overlook.

4. Challenge yourself to spend part of everyday alone, even if you are traveling as part of a group. Try to use this time to do things you might otherwise rely on others to do, such as figure out how to take a local bus, bargain in a market or order a meal.

5. Consider taking a course or workshop at home before your trip to learn some preliminary skills that you can put to the test and further develop on your trip. For example, challenge yourself to do some travel writing by first taking a writing course, or develop endurance by starting a morning walking regimen.

6. Think about including a personal challenge within your itinerary that will provide structure and demand commitment: Plan to take only public transportation; plan a trip to a remote village; take a local art class; arrange an internship with a local chef; plan to stay a week in a monastery; volunteer for a service project.

Tips & Warnings

• Write a letter to yourself when you first arrive at your destination, expressing your fears and excitement about the challenges you anticipate facing. Mail it to your home address so that it will be waiting for you when you return, and you can see how you adapted and learned in your new environment.