{"id":95209,"date":"2026-04-24T13:53:57","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T13:53:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/2026\/04\/24\/traveling-alone\/"},"modified":"2026-04-24T13:55:41","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T13:55:41","slug":"traveling-alone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/2026\/04\/24\/traveling-alone\/","title":{"rendered":"traveling alone"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>When people study abroad, they usually have a list of cities and countries they want to visit. But sometimes your interests don&#8217;t match up with your friends, and you&#8217;re faced with a decision: spend a lot of money somewhere you&#8217;re unsure about, or stay behind and figure something out on your own. Instead of staying at home, I opted to take some solo trips and experience something new.<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">tivoli<\/h4>\n<p>My first solo weekend was at the beginning of the semester, and I wasn&#8217;t quite sure how I wanted to spend it. On Saturday, I visited a museum and wandered around Rome, seeing the Colosseum for the first time and really enjoying the beauty of the city at my own pace.<\/p>\n<p>The next day, I took a day trip to Tivoli. Less than an hour by train, I stepped into a charming town, where I hiked along waterfalls and wandered quiet streets. It was a refreshing change in the energetic pace of urban life.<\/p>\n<p>Deciding to leave Rome on my own, explore the train station and wander into unfamiliar places showed me what I&#8217;m capable of. It gave me a sense of independence that lasted with me for the rest of my time abroad and helped me stop being afraid of being alone.<\/p>\n<figure data-carousel-extra=\"{\"blog_id\":5,\"permalink\":\"https:\/\/blogs.hope.edu\/off-campus\/travel\/taking-trips-alone\/\"}\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-attachment-id=\"28819\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/blogs.hope.edu\/off-campus\/travel\/taking-trips-alone\/attachment\/img_4988\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/blogs.hope.edu\/off-campus\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/IMG_4988-scaled.jpeg\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1920\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.9&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 15 Pro&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1771152525&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;2.6900000572505&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;25&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0064102564102564&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_4988\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/blogs.hope.edu\/off-campus\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/IMG_4988-300x225.jpeg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/blogs.hope.edu\/off-campus\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/IMG_4988-1024x768.jpeg\" data-id=\"28819\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.hope.edu\/off-campus\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/IMG_4988-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"A landscape-oriented selfie shows Carly smiling in the foreground against a dramatic, mountainous backdrop at Tivoli. She is located on the right side of the frame, wearing a light beige or tan zip-up jacket over a soft blue top. Her wavy light-brown hair is partially pulled back, and she wears small gold earrings. The background is a deep, rocky valley with sheer stone cliffs. There are several historic buildings perched precariously on top of these cliffs, sun-drenched in colors of ocher and terracotta, overlooking the valley. A dark, arched tunnel or cave entrance is visible at the top of the rock. Below the buildings, a small, white stream of water falls through the greenery at the base of the ravine. The sky above is a crisp, bright blue, and natural sunlight illuminates the rugged textures of the rocks and greenery clinging to the slopes, creating a sense of pristine, natural wonder.\" class=\"wp-image-28819\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-attachment-id=\"28820\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/blogs.hope.edu\/off-campus\/travel\/taking-trips-alone\/attachment\/img_4997\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/blogs.hope.edu\/off-campus\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/IMG_4997-scaled.jpeg\" data-orig-size=\"1920,2560\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.78&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 15 Pro&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1771153193&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;6.7649998656528&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;64&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0061349693251534&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_4997\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/blogs.hope.edu\/off-campus\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/IMG_4997-225x300.jpeg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/blogs.hope.edu\/off-campus\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/IMG_4997-768x1024.jpeg\" data-id=\"28820\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.hope.edu\/off-campus\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/IMG_4997-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"This vertical landscape, shot in Tivoli, includes the majestic Cascata dell'Anonene waterfalls. In the center, a powerful, multi-tiered waterfall tumbles down rocky cliffs, turning into white foam as it splashes over mossy green stones and collects into a silt-filled river below. The cliffs are rugged and steep, with many small cave-like openings and lush vegetation clinging to the cliff face. Perched high on the edge of the valley are sunlit historic buildings in shades of terracotta and cream, with windows looking straight out into the valley. At the top of the frame is a bright, clear blue sky, while the foreground features a wooden fence and a dirt path leading to the base of the waterfall, emphasizing the grand scale of nature around it.\" class=\"wp-image-28820\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Santa Marinella<\/h4>\n<p>This past weekend, I once again separated from my friends and spent the weekend in Santa Marinella, a small seaside town north of Rome. Within 5 minutes of getting off the train I was at the beach. <\/p>\n<p>Walking around the city made me feel nostalgic \u2013 it reminded me of Florida. The weather was amazing, sunny almost every day and 70 degree temperatures. Laying on the beach, people watching, listening to my audiobooks, and swimming is the perfect relaxing weekend. <\/p>\n<p>Sunday was spent in Rome. After church service, I sat in a park and journaled for hours, appreciating the quiet atmosphere after busy travel days.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"910\" data-attachment-id=\"28818\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/blogs.hope.edu\/off-campus\/travel\/taking-trips-alone\/attachment\/img_8883-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/blogs.hope.edu\/off-campus\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/IMG_8883-scaled-e1776769075804.jpeg\" data-orig-size=\"1920,1707\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.78&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 15 Pro&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1776436890&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;6.7649998656528&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;50&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;8.0997894054755E-5&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_8883\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/blogs.hope.edu\/off-campus\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/IMG_8883-scaled-e1776769075804-300x267.jpeg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/blogs.hope.edu\/off-campus\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/IMG_8883-scaled-e1776769075804-1024x910.jpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.hope.edu\/off-campus\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/IMG_8883-scaled-e1776769075804-1024x910.jpeg\" alt=\"A high-angle shot shows the wide expanse of Santa Marinella beach under a brilliant, clear blue sky. The bright sun, located in the upper-left corner, casts a long, vertical lens shine down the frame. The sandy beach turns gradually to the right, where many people are sunbathing on towels and walking along the shore. In the sparkling blue waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, many swimmers can be seen enjoying the waves. A dark stone breakwater is present in the water on the left. Along the far right shoreline, there are the town's white buildings and beach clubs. A faint white vapor trail from an aircraft cuts horizontally across the vast, empty sky, emphasizing the bright and open feel of a classic Italian spring day.\" class=\"wp-image-28818\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.1252906811865464;width:281px;height:auto\" \/><\/figure>\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Perspective <\/h4>\n<p>Looking back, these weekends may have seemed lonely to some, but I saw them as peaceful and opportunities for growth. It really depends on your mindset. <\/p>\n<p>I learned to navigate a busy Rome train station alone. I figured out how to read departure boards in different cities. I practiced Italian with locals and experienced new places at my own pace, even if that meant slowing down or packing a lot more luggage. <\/p>\n<p>I also found more time for reflection and prayer in quiet moments, noticing everything around me and feeling grateful for it.<\/p>\n<p>Was it uncomfortable at times? Absolutely. Did I miss the constant conversation? Yes. But it was in that restlessness that I saw myself growing.<\/p>\n<p>And honestly, that&#8217;s the point. <\/p>\n<p>Some of the most meaningful parts of studying abroad don&#8217;t happen in large groups or on perfectly planned trips. They happen when you choose to go or stay, even if it means being alone.<\/p>\n<p>The post Traveling Solo appeared first on Off-Campus Study.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When people study abroad, they usually have a list of cities and countries they want to visit. But sometimes your interests don&#8217;t match up with your friends, and you&#8217;re faced with a decision: spend a lot of money somewhere you&#8217;re unsure about, or stay behind and figure something out on your own. Instead of staying<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":95213,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[56],"tags":[1522],"class_list":{"0":"post-95209","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-bible-news","8":"tag-traveling"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95209","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=95209"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95209\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":95214,"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95209\/revisions\/95214"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/95213"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=95209"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=95209"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=95209"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}