HI Lost in the World,
When I first traveled abroad, I remember feeling apprehension about traveling to other countries by myself. At the time I was not financially independent, however I had been on my own while in college, but I was in a dorm surrounded by other students. I was afraid of traveling on my own because I thought something bad might happen, but also too I wasn't comfortable with traveling beyond France (which was where I was studying abroad at the time) because I had enjoyed going on vacation with my parents. So, then how did I change my mind? What inspired me to travel more frequently on my own. I put my desire to travel over traveling with people. I figured that I had the chance of a lifetime to visit the European continent-I was in France for 9 months and I was unsure when I would get such an opportunity again so I decided to travel anyway. My mother was scared at first, but I assured her that I would keep myself safe by not put myself in potentially dangerous situations (like not staying out too late or going to a bad neighborhood.) You have to assure your parents that you are going to use common sense and not put yourself in situations where a murder, theft, or rape would occur. Also I'd recommend that you call your parents every day; I know this helped my mother a lot. Staying in hostels can also help cure loneliness, I know it helped when I traveled, however your parents might not feel comfortable with you staying in a mixed dorm like I did. However, most hostels do have all girl dorms in which you could stay in.
You might also want to pick countries for your first travels that aren't considered "dangerous" and wait on going to other destinations that your parents might fret about once you are living on your own and/or hopefully find a husband who would like to travel. For example, my mom thought that South Africa would be a problem for me to study abroad at because of the fact it was located in Africa and she was afraid that I would get stuck in a conflict or something, even though South Africa is from what I've heard, safe and stable for the most part. Therefore, go to cities like Florence, Italy, Barcelona, Spain, Venice, Italy, Dublin, Ireland, Montreal, Quebec or anywhere in Canada, Boston, MA, USA, Aix-en-Provence, France, Nice, France-these places are generally safe from my experience. Anywhere in Germany might also work, like Stuttgart, Munich, Halle, Berlin,etc. Belgium really anywhere there I'd say is also quite safe and maybe also Switzerland and Austria. Amsterdam is safe however you might have a hard time selling this one to your mum because of the Red Light District and the "Coffee Shops." I know I've decided to wait on going there because when I went abroad my mom had a hard time accepting Amsterdam as such. You might have to wait on going here when you are no longer living with your parents. I agree with everyone here that if you can't convince your parents on even a trip to Italy, Spain or Ireland on your own and that hostels are safe and that you will take care of yourself and not involve yourself in "risky" behavior, go with a guided tour maybe. This way, you will be with a group of people and the tour will take care of everything, your transportation, your lodgings, where you go, even food. If your parents allow you to go, be sure to promise to call them everyday (trust me it helps) and buy them really nice, expensive gifts to show your thanks. Trust me, I'm an only child from a Puerto Rican/ Roman Catholic household (my mother is half Puerto Rican/Polish) and I have friends who are Indian who went through similar issues-I think I understand your frustraions and difficulties but I promise you there is a way, but of course it depends on your parents and if you can cajole them.
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