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Viktorija Ošikaitė

30 People Show How Travelling Long-Term Changed Them

Sun PopSugar

People say that everyone should try backpacking at least once in their lives. And, according to The Broke Backpacker, about 45 million people every year do so! Traveling solo teaches you independence, resilience, allows you to learn more about other cultures and people, and gives you a lifetime of unforgettable memories.

Lately, people online have been sharing the transformations they went through thanks to backpacking. They took pictures before and after their months of traveling, and the results were staggering: folks looked happier, more fit, and, as one backpacker put it, like the sun kissed their souls. Scroll down and see how the "Backpacking effect" changed these travelers, and, perhaps, you'll even be inspired to book a one-way ticket yourself!

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Feels like the sun kissed my soul. Do it

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Before and after 4 months travelling

For those who travel a lot, backpacking is a well-known phenomenon. However, others might not be so familiar with it, as some people in the comments under these TikToks asked the question: "What is backpacking?" Essentially, it's a form of traveling with nothing else but your backpack on your shoulders.

Backpacking includes staying in the cheapest accommodation one can find, which is often a hostel. Some people also do volunteer work in exchange for shelter and food. Platforms like HelpX, WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms), and Workaway are the places to look for work. Usually, locals put ads there to find temporary workers, and travelers like this option because that way, they don't have to stay in one place for a long time and can visit more places.

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From crying everyday to grateful for every day

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I gained a big smile

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Before and after 3 months of travelling

What kind of work do backpackers usually do? Well, it depends. Some locals look for help on farms, so that usually means looking after farm animals and having some free time to explore a foreign country's nature and culture while they're not working. Other people are looking for babysitters, house sitters, or travelers who can help with more serious housework, like construction.

You might be thinking: why haven't there been any expert opinions yet in the article? You see, yours truly has some experience with backpacking and even van life. Last year, I spent nine months traveling up and down New Zealand in a converted station wagon – so, technically, not a van. And while I did remote work during my trip, I met tons of people who were either backpacking or 'woofing' (working on ecologically run farms), so I'm pretty familiar with the process.

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Essentially, the volunteer work that backpackers do varies. When I was staying with a lovely lady in Auckland, she had a string of HelpXers staying at her house and doing all kinds of jobs. One young woman helped her weed and prune her permaculture garden. Another traveler cleaned out her garage, and a third backpacker stayed for only one or two nights and helped the owner organize her kitchen cabinets and her spice rack.

The volunteer work that backpackers do doesn't have to be backbreaking or necessarily physical. Locals in countries where the tourism and backpacker rates are high (like New Zealand) gladly accept volunteers into their homes for just a night or two.

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One thing many of you are probably wondering about is finances. "How can people afford this? I will never understand," many people commented under these backpackers' videos, too. The reality is that, yes, you have to save beforehand. But it's hard to say how much exactly is best to have in savings before you embark on your backpacking journey. That depends on where you're traveling, whether you'll be working, and how many luxuries or experiences you'll allow yourself.

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Travel glow is real

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The amount of savings people need very much depends on the countries they're planning to visit. If they don't have a definite plan, then they at least know which region they're traveling to. Eastern Europe, parts of Latin America, and Southeast Asia, for example, can be pretty cheap. According to Investopedia's calculations, you'd need around $30 to $50 a day, making that $10,000 to $15,000 a year if you're planning to backpack there.

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I honestly didn’t feel like I had any other option. What started as running away, ended up being so healing and so valuable that was truly the beginning of a whole new life. Thank you South Asia forever

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30-year-old backpacker Gabriela Ramos, who shared her story with PopSugar, admitted she had $15,000 in savings prior to embarking on her journey. She bought a three-month train travel pass in Europe for $400, but her trip ended up lasting a year. Ramos backpacked through the Middle East and Southeast Asia, visiting a total of 33 countries.

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Lost a person. Gained a bag

Another concern for many people, especially women, is how to stay safe while backpacking solo. Janice Waugh, the founder of the Solo Traveler blog, has five general rules for safety while solo traveling.

Stay in public places. No matter how friendly and nice the people you just met seem, they're still strangers.
Always be proactive and take the first step. Always be the one to choose who you talk to, where you go, and where you sit. When asking for directions, approach families first, and then maybe couples.

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A lot can happen while backpacking

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I have no regrets

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Involve others in your safety. If you're at a bar, chat with the server so they can look out for you. If you're feeling unsafe while walking, ask for directions even if you know where you're going; people will let you know if you're heading into an unsafe area.
Don't let others rush you into doing something. If strangers are urging you to make a decision and go somewhere quickly, always say you need to think about it. If they're not trying to scam or con you, they'll most likely have patience.
Don't be afraid to be rude. Your safety always comes first, so don't worry that much what other people think of you in that moment. "If I have to, I will be rude to ensure my safety, Waugh writes. "I'll be loud or brush someone off curtly."

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What getting sun kissed by life looks like

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What healing looks like

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Taking the leap and buying that one-way ticket to backpack around the world sure seems daunting. But, as these before-and-after photos demonstrate, it also might be the best thing that can happen to us. "That's when you realize how big this world is, how much you haven't seen, and how many many more experiences that you yearn to have," another backpacker, Bonnie Ngai, told PopSugar. "It makes you a more patient person, a kinder person, and I think in general, a better human being."

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How many backpacker Pandas have we got here in our midst? Share your traveling journeys with us in the comments, and tell us how your backpacking adventure changed you the most! And, while you plan your next trip, check out these tourist attractions that are worth the hype and these side-by-side comparisons of places in different parts of the world that look alike.

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