Long term travel

[MEDICaustik]

Any INTP's who have gone on long term travel?

I'm talking about 6 months to a year of round-the-world travel.

I've been toying with the idea of travelling the world for several years now, and the older I get, the stronger the urge gets.

Recently, I decided to go back to school after much debate on what to do with my life. I decided I was going to go to school and pursue med school.

I was excited about it for a couple weeks and starting school again, but the travel bug is resurfacing and telling me I need to drop everything and go travelling for a year.

Anyone done it?

 

[Architect]

3 months in both Asia and Europe on several different occasions (about a year of total time spread out across various big and small trips). I was working for a company which paid for it which was great. Otherwise it wasn't special, though I did get to travel around on the frequent national holidays, you're in one place 'humping it with the natives'. It taught me it's far better to settle somewhere and make a good deal of money, which you can spend on traveling in the fashion you desire.

Some people do the ex-pat vagabond approach and like it however.

 

[Beholder]

I'll be doing this soon I'm now saving up for it. Three years ago, just before I was drafted into the army, I travelled to the east (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Hong Kong) for 51 days, it was probably the best experience of my life. Now that I'm free I plan on doing it for at least another half year before I go to school.
The beginning of the trip I was with a friend, but we split up in the middle, and honestly, when I was alone I had a much much better time. The thing is, as such an extreme introvert it's very hard to meet people and have social experiences when travelling alone. So the thing that kept me going was that I was still in contact with my friends and (mainly) my girlfriend through facebook. No matter how introverted you think you are, everyone needs social contact.

 

[doncarlzone]

Can you picture yourself 10 years from now not having traveled at all? If you can't, then go ahead and do it. Life's too short. I've lived and worked in three countries so far.

 

[MEDICaustik]

Can you picture yourself 10 years from now not having traveled at all? If you can't, then go ahead and do it. Life's too short. I've lived and worked in three countries so far.

I can picture myself, and it's not what I want to look like.

I know I have to do it.

 

[Manic]

I travelled on six-month cruises to Asia and other places about 6 times over 25 years. I also lived in Japan and Germany for about 2-3 years each, and travelled extensively in Asia and Europe, both of which I highly recommend. The travels and adventures were really the only thing good about the experience. Like someone else said, life is short. My advice: If you have a desire to travel, don't put it off. I've got plenty of suggestions depending upon your interests.

 

[skip]

I've done hikes that lasted six months and I've lived abroad several times. To me living in another country is much more interesting than merely passing through.

 

[cadeparade]

I am doing that right now! We're traveling for a year and we're 6 months in.

It's mostly wonderful and I would definitely recommend it. Sometimes it's tough, though, not being around anyone you know and not having a home. But even so, I think it's worth it.

I was considering it for awhile and then one of my friends at home said "If you don't do it now would you regret it forever?". That really struck a chord with me so I fairly quickly quit my job and left the country.

Also as other posters have mentioned, it's much more interesting to actually live in a place for awhile instead of staying on the tourist street in each city. Even for a month or two you can usually find an apartment somewhere and settle down to observe life how it actually happens outside of tout-and-banana-pancake land. We did this in Bangkok and New Delhi for 2 months each and it was wonderful. IT also will give you a break from constant travel which is utterly exhausting.

If you have an questions feel free to message me...

Good luck!