Navigating London with Public Transportation

In a semester abroad, it can feel impossible to experience everything you wish to do. It is important to prioritize what is most important to you, and that will not always align with what your friends want to do. Because of that, it is so important to plan some solo activities!

One of the best ways to travel alone is to sign up for bus tours. I signed up for a trip to Dover Castle, the White Cliffs of Dover and Canterbury, and I had the best time. Not everyone enjoys being on a tour guide’s schedule, but after a long semester of planning trips, I was happy to have a day planned for me. I had a great time, and I even made friends with a fellow American traveler! Everyone on the tour was making conversation and getting to know each other on the ride. It was such a fun experience.

It might seem daunting to travel alone, but there are some important factors to keep in mind to stay safe. First, taking day trips means you’re only out and about alone during the daytime. Also, tour guides make sure that no one gets left behind at any of the stops, which can be very helpful in an unfamiliar place.

I’m so thankful that I have the confidence and initiative to take trips alone and prioritize my own interests. Seeing the White Cliffs of Dover has been on my abroad bucket list for so long, but it didn’t seem like I’d find someone to go with. Even though I signed up for the trip alone, I still had a great time and made great memories!