How I Started Traveling: From Never Traveling to International Solo Travel
If you’ve ever wondered how to start traveling — especially solo — this is how it began for me (the owner of Nomad Sidekick).
I didn’t grow up traveling much.
My parents weren’t big on vacations or exploring new places, so travel wasn’t something that felt normal or accessible. But deep down, I was always curious about the world. I just didn’t know how to start traveling or where to begin.
That changed after college.
How I Found My First Travel Job (Seasonal Work in Yellowstone)
After graduating, I made a decision that surprised a lot of people.
Instead of pursuing my degree right away, I wanted adventure. I wanted experience. I wanted something different.
That’s when I found a website called CoolWorks.
CoolWorks connects people with seasonal jobs across the United States, especially in national parks, resorts, and tourist destinations. Many of these jobs provide housing and sometimes meals, making them perfect for people who want to travel with limited savings.
Contracts usually last 3–6 months and include roles like:
• Serving
• Housekeeping
• Front desk
• Retail associate
• Hospitality support
I applied to a few listings.
One stood out immediately.
Yellowstone National Park.
I had heard about Yellowstone my whole life.
And it had mountains.
I LOVE mountains.
I interviewed, got the job offer, and said yes.
Working in Yellowstone National Park
Living and working in Yellowstone was the first time I truly felt what it was like to live somewhere completely new. I woke up surrounded by nature. I hiked after work. I met people from all over the country who had also chosen adventure over routine.
It felt like I was living inside a postcard.
That job taught me something powerful:
Travel isn’t just vacations.
It can be a lifestyle.
How I Started Traveling Internationally (My First Solo Trip Abroad)
After my Yellowstone contract ended, I knew I wasn’t done.
I wanted to travel internationally.
I applied through two platforms:
• Workaway
These platforms connect travelers with volunteer opportunities abroad. Most don’t pay, but they often provide housing and sometimes food in exchange for work.
That’s when I found an au pair opportunity in Switzerland.
I applied and interviewed.
And suddenly… I was booking a one-way flight to Europe.
Alone.
Moving Abroad to Switzerland Alone
The morning of my flight, I was nervous.
The kind of nervous that makes you question everything.
As I walked out of my house heading to the airport, I looked up — and there was a rainbow stretched across the sky in front of my home.
It felt like reassurance.
Like a sign I was on the right path.
⸻
Seven weeks in Switzerland changed me.
I hiked through the Swiss Alps.
I navigated foreign train systems.
I explored small mountain towns. Traveled to both, Italy and Austria for a day.
I experienced REAL independence for the first time in my life.
It was scary.
It was uncomfortable.
But.. It was unforgettable.
That trip really sparked my love for solo travel.
What Traveling Taught Me
Since then, I’ve traveled solo to multiple places and met incredible people along the way.
But travel didn’t just show me new countries.
It showed me:
• Confidence
• Adaptability
• Independence
• Courage
It showed me who I could become.
How to Start Traveling (My Best Advice)
If you’re wondering how to start traveling, here’s what I tell everyone:
Start small.
You don’t have to move to another country tomorrow.
You could:
• Take a weekend trip
• Apply for a seasonal job
• Book a short solo flight
• Try a volunteer opportunity abroad
See how it feels.
Then stretch a little further.
Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this:
The best things in life are usually waiting on the other side of fear.