I am currently on a gap year. I consider myself to be fairly well-traveled due to having visited about 20 countries so far, and my dream is to backpack se asia for one month this spring to “end” my gap year. It will be my first time to asia. I have been saving up money to cover all expenses for this trip on my own. However, my parents are not on board with that plan!!! From the parent perspective, how can I help convince my parents to let me backpack se asia solo? Thanks.
What is your age? Gender? Have you ever backpacked solo anywhere before? Do you have a clear plan as well as backups as to how you will get around Asia, where you will stay, what will you do in case of emergency? Do you speak any Asian languages? Are there any relatives or family friends anywhere near where you plan to travel?
As a parent, I can tell you my biggest concern would be safety. The approach I would take with your parents is asking them what would make THEM feel more comfortable about the trip. Would they like you to have a pre-planned itinerary, at least in terms of where you will be staying overnight? Would it be helpful to get an international calling/texting plan so you can check in daily? Are you looking at countries where it is safe to travel alone? Show them the state department doesn’t have travel warnings for Americans in those countries. Tell them you’ll register yourself with the embassy. Would they feel better if you were traveling in a group? There are lots of ways to have a backpack experience in a group. Look at stray travel.
Those kinds of things would help alleviate my fears for sure.
What is the purpose? Do you plan to learn about the culture? How will this enhance your life experience and help prepare you for college? IF its just travel, its really just a vacation. Wish more students would use the gap year to do something productive as that what schools like to see.
Asia is big–can you tell us more about where you’d like to go and experience?
And safety would definitely be my biggest concern. And I’d worry about health too-what if you got sick?
Thailand and Vietnam! I’m fortunate to have health insurance that covers me overseas. I’m not planning on staying in any remote places in both of those countries so I don’t anticipate access to health care being a problem-can never be too careful about health care though!
@jym626 I want to visit so I can experience new cultures!!! I’ve never been to Asia before and I’ve heard from friends and family that Thailand/Vietnam are absolutely beautiful. My prospective major is Global Development Studies/ International Relations-- so, I would actually argue that experiencing non-western cultures is a MAJOR plus that will complement/enhance my classroom learning in college 
@momofsenior1 Yes, I have a pre-planned itinerary! I’ve done so much research to show my parents that I’m 100% serious about solo backpack se asia haha. My phone is unlocked so I’ll be able to get the short-term SIM cards and buy whichever data package I choose. The state department travel advisory is Level 1 for both Thailand and Vietnam (so relatively safe-- biggest concern is pickpocketing, which is prevalent all throughout europe as well). My mom definitely wishes I would go in a group (or at least with a friend!) but I’m set on going solo
Do anything productive during the gap?
Why do you want to go solo? From a practical point of view, it’s significantly easier to have at least one other person to share the expenses, logistical work and other things, and take care of you if you get sick, have your wallet stolen, etc.
I have a young relative who went backpacking alone to Latin America (his parents weren’t happy), but he is very social and basically joined one or other backpacking group during all his stay. I’m middle-aged, traveled a lot and grew up in a different country too, but I would not go alone to any non-Western country I’m not already familiar with.
Traveling and “learning about different cultures” (aka sightseeing) is not as compelling as, say, volunteering with some organization there. Doing something that not only enhances your life but the lives of others is better to consider.
Agree. Since you have a lot of travel experience, it may be time to focus on more than the touristy. That’s why we’re curious what you did this year. This trip can seem self indulgent, if not balanced by responsible actions through the year.
I backpacked alone at 20, in Europe. A friend’s D went to Thailand alone. My D did some solo in a 3rd world country. But getting us on board is more than, “I want to.”
At one point you were thinking of going to Rome for intensive language instruction. Now you are talking about backpacking through Asia alone. You ideas seem a bit scattered to me. Did you take a gap year with any productive plan in mind? And as noted above do you have any organized travel plans? any set purpose to the travel (other than to see more countries and have fun)? a partner to travel with? At this point there are more questions than answers.
Traveling is a huge expense to incur with 4 years of college ahead of you – keep in mind that you could use the money you have saved to help fund spending money, books etc. while you are in college.
Did you answer the question about if you’ve backpacked solo before? If so, where? I did it for an entire year my gap year. From my experience, it takes a while to get into it. And if you’ve never stayed at a hostel before, well, let’s just say there is a wide, wide variety of what you might find.
How old are you? Are you male or female? (yes, from a safety perspective, it does make a difference.)
Inclined to agree with @jym626 that a volunteer position at least part of the time would be a valuable thing to do, as well as useful for your resume and usually providing some sort of structure around living arrangments.
Even as a solo backpacker it doesn’t keep you from doing the research and going on guided trips to various sites once you arrive. That would be one way to start your trip on a good foot. It’s a good way to meet people. The more organized your tour is the better your parents will feel (and you too). Research beforehand any travel companies you might use–scammers abound.
I’m going to disagree that you need another focus (like volunteering) to make it a worthwhile learning experience.
But I also feel traveling with another friend is much safer.
I just returned from a solo trip to Thailand and Vietnam (I’m a parent who works remotely though). I met a lot of backpackers, they’re everywhere there, and they tend to team up and travel together for bits. Most a bit older - 20’s (Assume you are 18ish?).
If you do go, glad to discuss. The countries are generally safe but there are dangers and precautions to take as with anyplace you go.
I agree the best way to find out how to get your parents on board is to ask what their objections are and address them.
Volunteer opportunities exist, I’m sure there are tons if you look around. English teaching is a common thing though for college grads, not HS grads. On a volunteer basis though it might be an option.
If this is a straight up vacation at the end of your gap year I don’t see anything wrong with that. But are you applying to college? Already accepted but deferred attending? What’s the goal, the situation?
PS: For about $80 you can buy travel insurance that will cover medical evacuation which I personally advise my D to get whenever she leaves the country. It’s a small price for that reassurance. But know that it doesn’t cover you if you are doing something illegal such as riding a scooter under the influence or without an international motorbike licence (something tons and tons of people were doing, when I was there - anyone will rent to anyone but it’s still illegal).
Best way to convince me…would be for you to find a friend or group.
My kid has been to one of those countries and several other SE Asian countries…but not alone. And she is a very seasoned traveler.
Find a friend or a group.
A RESPONSIBLE friend or group. Just sayin’…
Your parents are probably concerned about your safety. You could consider signing up with a volunteer agency which will offer some services (airport pick up, housing, etc.) and arrange for you a stint teaching English, or working in an orphanage, etc. You could then partner up with other volunteers and travel with them: safety in numbers. For what’s it’s worth both my kids did such programs both in Asia and Africa – saw and experienced a great deal – and I as a parent had the peace of mind that they weren’t alone, and had an in-country support system. If this interests you, PM me for details.
My daughter spent this past summer traveling through Asia solo… but she’s 30 years old. She has done solo travel before… such as a summer spent traveling mostly on her own through western & eastern Europe at age 21. She met many other solo-women travelers in Asia – so it’s not unusual.
But I guess my answer is that if you have to convince your parents of anything… then maybe you need to wait or to make other plans. My DD never bothered with that step – she made her plans and did what she wanted to do. We parents weren’t asked; we were told. I’m not trying to tell you to ignore your parents’ concerns – but part of the transition to adulthood is that at some point, parental permission stops being part of the equation. And from the title of your post, you haven’t yet made that transition.