How I Prepared For a 6-Month Trip
I’m back! Back on the road, living abroad, where I’m my happiest and everything just feels right. Two weeks into my second long-term trip and it feels so different this time around. Thank the good Lord.
Remember India? That was my first long-term trip and a far cry from where I am today. Preparing for that trip was more of a living nightmare than living the dream. I was the most anxious I had ever been as I got ready to leave behind the only 9-5 life I knew.
I learned a lifetime of lessons backpacking South Asia for a year, lessons that allowed me to better prepare this time around. Lessons that helped me to calm the f*%k down.
I returned from that trip in early 2018 and it took me over a year to prepare for the second round. More so physically. I was exhausted on every level after India. I got food poisoning five times and took a round of antibiotics each time. I needed a full year to recover my poor gut. Do you now understand why I am obsessed with celery juice!?
When I rang in 2019 I knew I was ready. My body felt healthier than ever and I was longing for that feeling of freedom a long-term trip fulfills. On January 1, 2019 I picked a date and made it happen.
Here’s how:
I healed my gut
Please, take it from the food poisoning specialist (I’ve earned the title). You want a strong and healthy gut when you’re out on the road for an extended period of time. Your gut is your second brain, influencing your mood and behavior and playing a major role in your mental health.
Not only does a healthy, strong gut put you in a better mood, it is better equipped for foreign bacteria. What’s the point of frolicking Thailand if you’re just sitting on the toilet wishing you were in the comforts of your own home?! So, while you’re saving money, make sure to save your gut by drinking that daily celery juice and taking your probiotic supplements. You’re welcome.
Ok, now to the logistics.
I got a job online
This is the main difference between long-term trip number one and two. This time around I didn’t have a severance package and a nice chunk of change from my tax return, so living off savings wasn’t an option, nor did I want it to be.
Not working for a year during my first long trip was the greatest gift Life gave me, but I wouldn’t do it again. I was constantly stressed about inevitably running out of money, pinching pennies and thinking six times before spending a dollar. Not doing that again.
So when my friend Sheyla mentioned teaching English online with VIPKID, I went straight to the google for deets.
VIPKID is a China-based online teaching and educational company. Basically, teaching English online to young students in China. It is one of Forbe’s Top 100 Companies for Remote Jobs.
“The top spot on the list went to English language-learning service company VIPKID, and Amazon, Conduent and Dell were among the top ten.”
What you need to apply:
A Bachelor's degree (or higher) in any field
Eligibility to work in the US or Canada
At least 1 year of teaching experience (includes homeschooling, tutoring, coaching, mentoring or other life experiences)
The whole process is fairly quick. Within a week of applying I had the job, but the trick here is this:
As a VIPKID teacher you are NOT an employee, you are an independent contractor, which means they do not book classes for you. Parents book classes based on ratings, reviews and an attractive profile. You’re basically like a new, review-less Amazon product amongst thousands of 5-star products. You are essentially building an online teaching business, so you gotta put in the work to get those students. They will come. It might take a few weeks, but they will.
I got the job with VIPKID in January and received my first paycheck in March. It took me two months to get that regular schedule, and I wasn’t leaving until that was the case. It’s now April and 90% of my slots get booked. I know how much I will make in a month and can budget accordingly.
VIPKID pays anywhere between $7-$14 per class. Each class is 25 minutes, so you can make $14-$28 an hour. There is no minimum or maximum hours you have to work. You make your own schedule based on your needs.
I will be dedicating an entire blog post on all things VIPKID, so stay tuned for that. Until then, please DM me on Instagram if you have any questions. If you’re interested in applying click here and please use my referral code:
JANEL0081
I will be more than happy to guide you through the application process.
I saved money
Now I know I have a job, but a little cushion gives me some peace of mind. I saved $6,000 and about $1,500 of that went towards my flight to Thailand and purchasing things for my trip. I sleep really good knowing I have that little savings AND an income.
I’m sharing specifics because I want to be really honest here. You don’t need to be wealthy or even “well-off” to travel long-term. Far from it. You just need a little savings, an income and some courage to trust that Life will always provide because you followed your heart and lived a life that’s true to you. There are no truer words.
You will be taken care of. Trust me.
How I saved money? I lived with my parents for a year. Could I have saved more? Abso-freaking-lutely. But I took a few trips to Central and South America and I do not compromise on the quality of my food. Those were my greatest expenses while living at home. But I didn’t step foot into a mall. I didn’t have much of a life besides my weekly trips to Whole Foods. Also, I don’t drink…the greatest savings plan ever.
It didn’t really feel like much of a sacrifice though, because I still traveled during my year of saving and ate really well (my priorities).
I worked two jobs
The second I got back from India I knew I wasn’t going to be there long. A “regular” job was not an option. I needed something easy with no pressure because I wasn't planning on staying long. I got a 9-5 temp job basically filing paper and I taught yoga on weeknights and weekends. I quit yoga and started working with VIPKID in January 2019. I always had two jobs while saving for my trip. I also starting offering skincare coaching services (and still do!). Multiple income streams is where you want to be.
I minimized my bills
Again, I’m not going to sugar coat it, living with my parents is what made doing any of this possible in such a short period of time. This means:
No rent
No car payment (I got rid of my car before India, the greatest decision of my life)
No car insurance
No cable/internet/whatever the hell else comes with renting
I didn’t completely mooch off my poor parents. There is a difference between taking advantage and gracefully accepting help. But I don’t need to explain myself. The negative stereotype around adult children receiving support from their parents is an American problem…not yours. In many, MANY cultures around the world it is not only common, but expected to live with parents until one gets married. And don’t we all support each other one way or another? Whether it’s your parents, partner, friends, family…whether it’s financial, emotional, physical, spiritual support…we, as humans, need one another. There is no shame in that. Asking for help and receiving it is a strength, not a weakness.
Do what you gotta do.
I chose Southeast Asia
For a few reasons:
Affordability: The American dollar goes far in Southeast Asia. I can live comfortably for around $1,200-$2,000 a month.
Strong Wi-Fi: I work online, so this is a non-negotiable. I also need to note how affordable Wi-Fi is here. I just bought 15GB of data for $35, enough for a month of teaching classes.
Culture: I love everything about Asia. The welcoming locals, the spicy flavors, the ancient spiritual practices. It’s magic.
Food: Not only is Asian food vegan-friendly, there is an abundance of fresh tropical fruits in every street corner. Considering this is basically my medicine, this is an important factor when selecting a location to be based.
Digital Nomads: They’re everywhere around these parts, probably for the same reasons I listed above. It’s nice to connect with the growing community.
I packed everything into a 40L backpack
The greatest lesson I learned during my first trip: do not overpack. Everyone warns you about this. And everyone learns the hard way. Please do yourself a favor and don’t look too into those" “What to Pack For Southeast Asia” blogs and vlogs. They will all tell you to pack tampons, mosquito spray, a headlamp and the most random ass things that you can:
a) find here if you really need it
b) don’t really need
You’re not going to Mars. Pack super light and buy things (if you even need to) along the way.
To avoid overpacking I purchased a 40L backpack and just made it happen. This is all I brought with me this time around:
5 shirts
3 tank tops
2 t-shirts (mostly cotton/linen because it’s hot as hell in these Southasian streets)
5 pants
1 legging
1 denim short
1 workout short
1 loose capri
1 plane pant (trust me, cozy pants for the plane are the greatest idea you’ll ever have)
2 perfect travel shoes (So much research went into selecting the perfect travel shoes. After reading Born to Run, I chose to purchase two pairs of barefoot shoes because of the impressive benefits. They are extremely light, sturdy and support a strong, healthy foot.)
1 Patagonia Nanopuff Jacket (it’s the only travel jacket you’ll ever need)
1 rain jacket (make sure it’s breathable, unless you want to die in your own sweat)
1 denim overshirt (the greatest travel accessory of all time)
8 pairs of undies
3 pairs of cami bras
2 pairs of socks
1 bikini
1 microfiber towel
Toileterries:
Mini shampoo and contioner
Bar of soap (authentic African black soap which I also use as face wash)
Toothpaste and floss
Travel sized facial moisturizer
Travel sized deodorant
Supplements
1 of each:
Zinc
b12
Ester-C
Probiotics
VIPKID Classroom
Mac Mini
World map (educational background)
Mouse, headset, ring light
Laptop stand
Props (whiteboard, dry erase markets, 2D props)
Hand puppet
Here’s a great video by Teacher Erin on packing a traveling classroom
I only planned my first week
This is the beauty of long-term travel. You’re not in rush to see and do everything in two weeks, so you have the luxury of traveling slowly, taking your time, and making plans at the last minute. I booked my first week at a hostel in Bangkok. That’s it.
Perhaps I decide to stay in Bangkok for another two weeks, or head down south to the beaches for three weeks, or fly up north for four weeks. I will get a better feel for the country and where I want to spend most of time once I arrive, so planning anything past my first week is just not possible.
I picked a date
April 15th. That’s it. That’s when I planned on leaving. I didn’t announce it to the world. I shared the date with my close friends and family. I left my temp job two weeks before April 15th to get everything in order. Also, if you’re making purchases online, make sure you give yourself plenty of time for returns and exchanges (order about a month prior to departure).
Before you go
You don’t have to massacre your social life, live with your parents, teach English online, or do any of the above. There’s a reason why I titled this post “How I Prepared For a 6-Month Trip” and not “How TO Prepare for a 6-Month Trip”, because there is no one formula on how to do this. I just want you to know that I’m really no different from you (yes, I am privileged to have an American passport and be able to live with my parents).
But when there’s a will, there is always a way. A unique way that will work for you and your needs/lifestyle. I’ve met solo-females, couples, families with babies, elderly, and people from all walks of life traveling long-term.
If traveling long-term is calling you, answer. Pick a date and watch the universe support you. It’s not about waiting for the perfect opportunity. It’s about saying YES to your life and creating that space for the perfect opportunity to make its way to you. Take the leap. You will be caught, time and time again.
Have any questions or comments? Please share below. Would love to hear from you!
Thank you for reading my words. Happy travels!
Janelle
