Traveling is always very enjoyable—being able to explore a new place and discovering all that it has to offer. I have been fortunate enough to do a fair amount of traveling throughout my life. This has given me the opportunity to see new places and experience the way people from other places live. Whether it be traveling somewhere in the country or out, you notice striking similarities compared to where you live. Even though I have done plenty of traveling, I have only traveled solo one time.

During my spring break this year, I traveled solo to visit friends in New York City. Yes, this isn't technically traveling alone—but I traveled on a plane solo so I think it counts. When the idea of traveling alone arose, it scared me. I didn't like the idea of having to navigate airports alone. I had a feeling I would mess something up. Especially because JFK was the airport I was flying into, and it is huge.

When I got dropped off at the airport, I had to begin the part of my trip that I was completely alone for, and it was all on me to make all the times for my flight. At first, I was terrified—going to get my bag checked, through security and finally arriving at the correct gate. I learned quickly that as long as I double, and sometimes triple checked, everything would work out and I would end up being in the right place!

Even though the only time I spent traveling alone was spent in an airport or physically on the airplane, I did learn some lessons that I'll use every time I end up traveling solo. I developed little more of a sense of direction. navigating through airports can be tricky, especially in bigger places, such as JFK.

Other than specific examples, I noticed a very different culture. The way I interact with people in a bigger city is much different than the way I interact with individuals from my small town. Also, the way people dress is very different. There are more specific styles in cities. Normally, I am comfortable with leaving the house with leggings and a T-shirt and barely any make-up. In the city, almost everyone is all dressed up. Lastly, overall, I learned to have a bigger sense of independence. When you are traveling alone, it is all on you to make sure you are always on time and knowing where you are and knowing a basic way of getting around!