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Kelly Today

Blog, Travel, Travel Tips & Guides · June 17, 2023

Why Group Travel Is Right For You

Are you unsure whether a group trip or group travel is for you? Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or traveling for the first time, group travel has many benefits that should be considered for your next trip. Here are 7 reasons why taking a group trip may be the best decision you ever made.

Contents hide
1 What is a group trip?
2 Why take an organised group trip?
2.1 Gain New Life Experiences & Creating Memories
2.2 Meet Like-Minded People
2.3 Safety in Numbers
2.4 Make friends for life
2.5 Save Planning & Time (Stress-Free)
2.6 Authentic & Local Experience
2.7 The Freedom
3 How To Book A Group Trip
4 Where To Book A Group Trip
5 Ready for an adventure of a lifetime?
6 Travel Essentials
6.1 Travel Insurance
6.2 Flights
6.3 Activities & Tours
6.4 Power Adaptors
6.5 Stay Safe
6.6 Stay Connected
6.7 Found this helpful?

What is a group trip?

An organised trip is where you get to meet a group of travelers who booked the same trip. These trips often include a local guide, trip leader, accommodation, activities, etc. The great thing about group trips is that everything is planned for you. All you have to worry about is signing up and enjoying the travel experience!

Why take an organised group trip?

Let me ask you these questions.

  • Do you get overwhelmed or hate planning trips?
  • Are you tired of waiting for people to travel with you? Or maybe you don’t have any friends that want to travel to the same place as you?
  • Do you want to tick off bucket list destinations?
  • Do you want to meet like-minded individuals?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, a group trip is a great option for you. However if you need more convincing let’s dive into the 7 reasons why group travel is for you.

Gain New Life Experiences & Creating Memories

Group travel will allow you to gain new perspectives and create lifelong memories. Every day you’ll be pushing yourself a little bit outside of your comfort zone. From trying new things and navigating the language barrier to adjusting to different climates. Through a group trip, you’ll have the support of your group and also create memories with people that want to travel just like you! Don’t get me wrong solo traveling is an empowering experience. However, it is always great to share travel experiences with someone.

Beyond exploring the place you’ll be visiting you’ll gain a greater understanding of stories from people around the world on the trip. Whether it’s learning about the locals or your fellow group trip members. You’ll get insight into their personal stories from their upbringing, respective countries, and also where they have traveled. After the group trip, you’ll be leaving with stories and memories to share. You’ll be reminiscing with lifelong friends from all over the world. Maybe meeting up years later or looking back through old photos and videos. Sharing a travel experience is something that you can’t replicate.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.”

– Mark Twain

Meet Like-Minded People

You’ll have the ability to experience the destination authentically, with a group of like-minded people, as you travel off the beaten path and immerse yourself in the local culture.

Maybe you want to travel but you can’t get a single friend back home to go with you. In this day in age, it’s really hard for people to match up schedules with friends especially if you’re working full-time. Whether you’re a solo traveler or want to go with a group of friends group trips allow you to expand your travel network and go on a fun adventure. You’ll be joined by fellow travelers from around the world looking to expand their social network of like-minded travelers. What’s even better is that everything is planned for you. Think of it as stress-free travel – all the tough work is done for you. The itinerary, local transport, airport transfers, accommodation, resources, and recommendations are all covered. All you need to do is show up and start exploring.

Safety in Numbers

Going on a group trip offers an extra sense of security for your travels. Maybe you’re a bit apprehensive about traveling solo or visiting a country that is a little out of your comfort zone. As a female solo traveler, it’s also a different experience to travel by yourself. Wherever in the world you travel to you’ll need to consider your safety.

The two great benefits of a group trip are that you’ll most likely be traveling in decent numbers giving you that support network of traveling to places that are a bit daunting to travel solo or at later times of the day. You won’t have to worry about searching for safe accommodation or feel stranded without the assurances of where to go. Additionally, your local guide will also know the ins and outs of the country you’ll be visiting. You’ll be given the insider scoop on the places to avoid, what valuables to leave behind, and other priceless information.

Make friends for life

Maybe you never got the chance to study or work abroad. Group travel is a great option to connect with people from all around the world. You’ll get to discover their personal stories, respective countries, and where they have traveled to and also have the opportunity to share your travel experiences with someone.

One of the biggest shortcomings of solo travel is experiencing it alone and not having that support network whilst traveling. Whether it’s getting someone to take your photos, watching your bags when you need to dash to the toilet, or figuring out the local transport. Sharing the adventure with people allows you to gain more than travel experience but also make those connections with people around the world. Maybe you’ll be arranging meet-ups years down the road or looking back at old videos or photos about that time you got lost on the train. Sharing those travel adventures with others and making those lifetime connections is priceless.

I’ve been lucky to study abroad in Japan and work in South Korea and be connected with people around the world. I’ll always look back on the memories I’ve shared on my travels. From hiking up a mountain at the crack of dawn or taking the wrong train twice. These will be the funny memories to look back on when I’m older. To this day I’m still in touch with a lot of my friends I met years ago, from all over the world. Another great thing is that if I ever visit these people they’ve let me stay at their place or shared some recommendations for a destination.

Now, you might be wondering ‘who goes on group trips?’ To be honest I used to think that group travel was mainly used by older generations. However, I’ve seen so many people in their 20s and 30s and solo travelers opting for group trips because of their shared interests in traveling more but also making those lifetime connections.

Save Planning & Time (Stress-Free)

If you go on a group trip you won’t have to worry about planning any of the logistics of travel.

Are you the type of person that hates planning the logistics for traveling or you’re busy working long hours to organize it yourself? Booking a group trip can save you hours of research and planning both before and during your trip. From the itinerary, accommodation, activities, and schedule, group trips organize all of this for you. All you need to worry about is booking your flights, packing your bags, and showing up. The charm of group trips is that it relieves all stress and saves you hours of research.

This allows you to just enjoy your holiday. Did you know group trips also include a local guide that will show you insider tips about the country you won’t be able to find from anyone else?

Authentic & Local Experience

You’ll get to experience the destination authentically as you travel off the beaten path to immerse in the culture and meet the locals. Group trips have a local guide expert to show you around and get inside tips about the places you’ll be visiting. This includes insider recommendations and information on hidden gems, expert tips, and local spots that the typical tourist would never know about. If you want to avoid the tourist traps this is a great option for you. Or maybe you’re concerned about navigating the language barrier of the country? Having a local guide through group travel will help in those tricky situations involving the language barrier. You’ll get the chance to have some good chats about local culture or anything you’re interested in and get your questions answered by a local.

The Freedom

If you’re a traveler that still wants some downtime on your travels here’s some good news. Some group trips will set aside space in the itinerary for downtime for your own explorations. Maybe you want to wander solo with your camera or people-watch at a restaurant or cafe. Group trips provide the best of both worlds for solo time to experience a destination at your own pace but also the chance to experience it with others.

How To Book A Group Trip

Whenever you research group trips there are a few considerations to have in mind for your travels.

  • Consider the type of trip you’re interested in and what kind of traveler you are. Do you prefer a structured plan or more flexibility?
  • What do you want in terms of comfort? Would you like a laid-back environment or are you interested in a party atmosphere? Are you interested in budget accommodation or a luxury stay?

Where To Book A Group Trip

In conclusion, there are so many reasons to take a group trip. From the people you’ll meet, to the hassle-free planning, group travel offers something for everyone. If you’re considering traveling solo or want an in-built group of explorers you should consider taking a group trip.

Group Trips

Are you looking for a group trip for 2024? I’m hosting a group trip to South Korea in April and would love for you to join!

Read More

Group Activities

If you’re still a bit unsure about booking a fully planned group trip, you can opt for group activities for your travel.

Group activities are a great option if you want more flexibility and freedom to plan your itinerary but also wanted to have that local and shared travel experience.

Feel free to comment on your thoughts on group travel. Have you been on a group trip? What was your favorite part?

Found this helpful? 👇🏼

Support my work by buying me a coffee so I can produce more free content for you.


Ready for an adventure of a lifetime?

Travel to South Korea in Spring 2024

For more information on the group trip check out this post and the link below.

Let’s travel

Travel Essentials

If you’re planning a trip overseas these travel essentials will help you plan your trip, find the best deals and save you money and time before and during your trip. Also don’t forget to read how to travel cheap anywhere in the world with these 10 must-know travel tips.

Travel Insurance

If you’re traveling overseas, don’t forget to purchase travel insurance. I always recommend World Nomads as my preferred travel insurance.

Flights

WayAway, Skyscanner, Google Flights, and Kayak are great sites to find cheap flights and great deals. Depending on your personal you should also check your preferred airlines’ websites too for comparison to find the best deals from your home country.

Activities & Tours

Get Your Guide and Klook offer local guided tours and discounted tickets for local attractions and activities around the world.

Let’s Adventure

Don’t miss out on top-rated excursions, attractions, and sightseeing tours in South Korea. From guided local tours to private day trips, Get Your Guide has something for every traveler to enjoy.

Let’s Explore

Check out Klook to access tickets for attractions, tours, activities, and local transfers. Klook offers seasonal tours for spring including cherry blossom tours and day trips from major cities including Busan and Seoul.

Power Adaptors

I always recommend buying a universal adaptor so you can use it in any country (great for future travels) and it offers extra ports for USB cables to charge your devices.

Stay Safe

Staying connected abroad is important for safety and travel. Having a VPN hides your IP address and encrypts your traffic thereby protecting users’ privacy and virtual location. Use NordVPN to safely access content from around the world and have protection when you use public WiFi at cafes, restaurants, or your accommodation.

Stay Connected

Make sure to order in advance a SIM card or pocket WiFi so you can stay connected online for navigation and communication. Depending on your personal preferences you can order a SIM card or pocket WiFi. To get data abroad I recommend Airalo which is an app that allows you to download a prepaid eSIM to your phone in over 190 countries.

Found this helpful?

If you found these travel tips and recommendations helpful check out my travel guides on my Thatch Page. I’m sharing one-stop guides for everything you need to know for your trip to South Korea including insider tips and recommendations on where to stay, what to see, full itineraries, and information that is covered by tourists. As someone that has lived in South Korea, I’ll be sharing insider information that only the locals know.

📌 Click on the pin to save this article for later.

Why You Should Go On A Group Trip. 7 Reasons Why group travel is right for you.
Why You Should Go On A Group Trip. 7 Reasons Why group travel is right for you.

Posted By: kellytoday · In: Blog, Travel, Travel Tips & Guides

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Hi, I'm Kelly! I'm an Asian Australian content creator from Western Australia. I inspire others to get outside and explore the world. Join my adventures and discover my best travel & photography tips!

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📝 Part 10 of the media I consumed this week that s 📝 Part 10 of the media I consumed this week that sparked my curiosity 🙇🏻‍♀️

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💌 If this resonates, I share weekly recommendations (books, films, articles, podcasts + more) in my newsletter. You can sign up through the link in my bio.

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📝 Comment 'list' and I'll send you all the links for the media in this carousel.

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Can you guess which places made the list? 🇯🇵✨ Aft Can you guess which places made the list? 🇯🇵✨

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💭 Have you been to any of these spots?

📷 Photos edited using my Fujifilm Lightroom presets (linked in my bio)

#japan #asia #asiatravel #travelphotography #bucketlist @lightroom @visitjapanau @visitjapanjp 

Located in southern Fukuoka Prefecture, Yanagawa is often called the “Venice of Kyushu” thanks to its charming network of waterways.

Once a historic castle town, this scenic destination is known for its rich history and traditional boat rides along the narrow canals. Hop on a small donko-bune boat and enjoy a slower-paced side of Japan.

If you visit, don’t leave without trying eel (unagi) — Yanagawa’s signature dish and a must-try for food lovers.

@welcomekyushu @kyushu_tourism_information

A classic for a reason — Kyoto is one of those places that most first-time visitors add to their Japan itinerary, and it’s completely worth the hype.

After visiting Japan 4 times, I still find myself discovering new places to explore in Kyoto, and each season brings a completely different experience.

Once the capital of Japan, Kyoto is filled with endless things to see and do — from historic temples and traditional neighbourhoods to incredible food spots and beautiful landscapes.

@visit_kyoto

I wish I had spent even more time in this city!

As the capital of Fukuoka Prefecture, Fukuoka is known for its incredible food scene, ancient temples, vibrant neighbourhoods, and beautiful coastal scenery.

I spent around a week exploring the city, but it’s also the perfect base for day trips around the prefecture and wider Kyushu region.

@visitfukuoka 

Add this UNESCO World Heritage Site to your Japan itinerary!

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The easiest way to reach Shirakawa-go is by bus from Takayama.

From Nagoya or Gifu, take the JR
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I decided to take time away from university and explore a different path. I ended up finding a job overseas that allowed me to work while travelling in my free time.

I completed my TEFL qualification to help me secure a job in South Korea. I’ve shared my free guide to landing a job in Korea on my website. 

📌 If you are interested, teaching English is one of the more accessible pathways for foreigners looking to work in Korea.

I started this account in 2022, and it has grown across multiple social platforms, reaching around 80K followers.

It’s been a slow process of staying consistent, learning along the way, and constantly pushing myself outside my comfort zone.

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I regularly take free courses, but when I find a course that provides genuine value, I’m happy to invest in it. For example, I completed a beginner investing course that helped me feel more confident investing in stocks and ETFs.

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Save this post for the next time you're looking for something new to read, learn, or explore.

#reading #habits 

The @literaryhub publishes thoughtful essays, author interviews, book recommendations, and literary conversations that make reading feel even richer. 

Interesting articles I've read from @literaryhub. 

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Ever wondered where a word actually came from? Type in any English word and discover its origins, history, and how its meaning has changed over time.

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These are just a few reflections from my time living abroad in Korea. What I didn’t expect were the things you can’t really plan for.

The quiet moments that slowly change you. The lessons you only learn by living somewhere unfamiliar. The parts of yourself you don’t discover until you’re far away from everything you’ve ever known.

If you’ve ever moved abroad, travelled solo, or taken a leap that scared you, I’d love to know:

💭 What’s something you’re grateful you gained that you never expected?

📌 If you’re thinking about working in Korea, I’ve got a free guide on my website about how I got my job in South Korea for your reference. 

#livingabroad #southkorea #seoul 

Prior to the move, I had quit university and was job searching for positions in South Korea.

I was pretty lucky to connect with some genuine people overseas. I've heard from others and online that making friends in Korea can be difficult. 

Before I left some of my coworkers gave me going away presents which I wasn't expecting at all. 

One of my coworkers even handwrote a heartfelt message on the gift.

Most of the time I'd spend my weekends exploring a different region or city. 

Random viewpoint I found when I did a weekend trip in Jeonju.

One of unexpected perks of my job was being invited to work excursions which meant I got to see some new places around Korea. 

Hard to pick a favourite season in Korea. It's probably a tie between autumn or spring. 

Before I moved I took online Korean lessons but the language barrier was still a bit of a shock. 

One of my favourite things to do alone was exploring either my local area or cafe hopping. 

Even everyday tasks were a bit more challenging with the language barrier. 

There's definitely a learning curve once you move to a new place. Just remember to be patient with yourself while you're adjusting.

A friend took this photo after we got dropped off at a hotel.  I promise you those are not
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💌 Enjoyed this post? I share weekly media recommendations (books, films, articles, podcasts & more) in my newsletter—link in bio if you’d like to join.

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#twenties #whattoread #articles
Swipe for a peek through my camera roll in Switzer Swipe for a peek through my camera roll in Switzerland 📸✨

I finally gave this “what you see vs what I took” trend a go, which gave me an excuse to dig into my Europe travel archives to match real-life moments with the photos and videos I came home with.

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#europe #switzerland #travelphotography #bucketlist @lightroom

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🗺 Planning a trip to Switzerland or you can comment "GUIDE" and i'll send you my 1 week travel itinerary.
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📝 Part 10 of the media I consumed this week that s 📝 Part 10 of the media I consumed this week that sparked my curiosity 🙇🏻‍♀️

Here’s some media to help you be more intentional with your time — swap the doomscrolling for video essays and thoughtful articles that actually stay with you. 🌱

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💌 If this resonates, I share weekly recommendations (books, films, articles, podcasts + more) in my newsletter. You can sign up through the link in my bio.

💭 You can sign up for my newsletter to receive the full list of media featured here.

📝 Comment 'list' and I'll send you all the links for the media in this carousel.

#reading #whattoread #habits

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📝 Part 10 of the media I consumed this week that s 📝 Part 10 of the media I consumed this week that sparked my curiosity 🙇🏻‍♀️

Here’s some media to help you be more intentional with your time — swap the doomscrolling for thoughtful articles that actually stay with you. 🌱

A roundup of what’s worth consuming when you want to learn something new and give your brain a little spark. ✨📚

💌 If this resonates, I share weekly recommendations (books, films, articles, podcasts + more) in my newsletter. You can sign up through the link in my bio.

💭 You can sign up for my newsletter to receive the full list of media featured here.

📝 Comment 'list' and I'll send you all the links for the media in this carousel.

#reading #whattoread #habits
Can you guess which places made the list? 🇯🇵✨ Aft Can you guess which places made the list? 🇯🇵✨

After 4 trips to Japan, these are some of my favourite places I’ve visited — and the ones I’d happily return to again and again.

💭 Have you been to any of these spots?

📷 Photos edited using my Fujifilm Lightroom presets (linked in my bio)

#japan #asia #asiatravel #travelphotography #bucketlist @lightroom @visitjapanau @visitjapanjp 

Located in southern Fukuoka Prefecture, Yanagawa is often called the “Venice of Kyushu” thanks to its charming network of waterways.

Once a historic castle town, this scenic destination is known for its rich history and traditional boat rides along the narrow canals. Hop on a small donko-bune boat and enjoy a slower-paced side of Japan.

If you visit, don’t leave without trying eel (unagi) — Yanagawa’s signature dish and a must-try for food lovers.

@welcomekyushu @kyushu_tourism_information

A classic for a reason — Kyoto is one of those places that most first-time visitors add to their Japan itinerary, and it’s completely worth the hype.

After visiting Japan 4 times, I still find myself discovering new places to explore in Kyoto, and each season brings a completely different experience.

Once the capital of Japan, Kyoto is filled with endless things to see and do — from historic temples and traditional neighbourhoods to incredible food spots and beautiful landscapes.

@visit_kyoto

I wish I had spent even more time in this city!

As the capital of Fukuoka Prefecture, Fukuoka is known for its incredible food scene, ancient temples, vibrant neighbourhoods, and beautiful coastal scenery.

I spent around a week exploring the city, but it’s also the perfect base for day trips around the prefecture and wider Kyushu region.

@visitfukuoka 

Add this UNESCO World Heritage Site to your Japan itinerary!

Shirakawa-go is one of those places that feels like stepping into a storybook, with its traditional thatched-roof houses and beautiful mountain scenery.

I visited during summer, but I’d love to return in another season — especially to see the village covered in snow during winter.

The easiest way to reach Shirakawa-go is by bus from Takayama.

From Nagoya or Gifu, take the JR
🙇🏻‍♀️ I spent my twenties doing things a little di 🙇🏻‍♀️ I spent my twenties doing things a little differently. Here’s what happened. 👉🏻

Here are some unconventional things I’ve done in my twenties that have paid off and are also helping me set myself up for the future. 

Some decisions looked risky at the time… but ended up creating opportunities I never expected. 

#twenties #livingabroad #europe 

This wasn’t the easiest decision, but when COVID hit and I lost a family member, I realised how short life can be.

I decided to take time away from university and explore a different path. I ended up finding a job overseas that allowed me to work while travelling in my free time.

I completed my TEFL qualification to help me secure a job in South Korea. I’ve shared my free guide to landing a job in Korea on my website. 

📌 If you are interested, teaching English is one of the more accessible pathways for foreigners looking to work in Korea.

I started this account in 2022, and it has grown across multiple social platforms, reaching around 80K followers.

It’s been a slow process of staying consistent, learning along the way, and constantly pushing myself outside my comfort zone.

I honestly believe experience is becoming just as important, if not more important, when applying for new opportunities.

I don’t have a formal degree in marketing or social media, but I was able to use my portfolio and experience as a content creator to land a full-time role in digital marketing — something I’m incredibly grateful for.

Since the pandemic, I think many of us have realised how quickly industries can change and how much budgets can impact jobs and resources.

It reminded me of the importance of building income streams outside of your main salary. The extra income has also helped me reach my financial goals faster and gives me more flexibility in the future.

I regularly take free courses, but when I find a course that provides genuine value, I’m happy to invest in it. For example, I completed a beginner investing course that helped me feel more confident investing in stocks and ETFs.

Here are a few free resources you can explore in your own time.

There are also two posts on my profile recommending lists of FREE re
Part 2 is here because there are far too many incr Part 2 is here because there are far too many incredible free resources to fit into one post. 📚✨

One of the biggest things I've learnt is that reading doesn't have to mean sitting down with a 400-page book every night. Learning can happen through essays, newsletters, library apps, audiobooks, public domain classics, and thoughtfully curated recommendations. It all counts.

The easier you make it to discover something interesting, the more likely you are to stay curious. Sometimes the difference between reading more and reading less isn't motivation—it's simply having the right resources waiting for you.

These are a few more free tools and platforms that have helped me find books, learn new things, and spend less time endlessly scrolling for something worthwhile.

Save this post for the next time you're looking for something new to read, learn, or explore.

#reading #habits 

The @literaryhub publishes thoughtful essays, author interviews, book recommendations, and literary conversations that make reading feel even richer. 

Interesting articles I've read from @literaryhub. 

🔍 Etymonline

Ever wondered where a word actually came from? Type in any English word and discover its origins, history, and how its meaning has changed over time.

🎓 MIT OpenCourseWare

Access free course materials from one of the world's leading universities. Explore thousands of MIT classes with lecture notes, assignments, and learning resources across countless subjects.

📰 SmartNews

A simple way to stay informed. Follow the topics you care about, customise your feed, and read headlines from a range of trusted news publishers all in one place.

🌍 Radio Garden 

Travel the world without leaving your room. Spin the globe and tune into live radio stations from thousands of cities to discover new music, languages, and cultures.

📖 Project Gutenberg

A treasure trove of free books. Browse over 75,000 classic eBooks, download them to your Kindle or phone, or read them online whenever you like.

Track all your reading stats on @the.storygraph 📚

📝 Word of the Day

Build your vocabulary without feeling like you're studying. Learn one new word each day with definitions, examples, and q
The things I never expected to be grateful for aft The things I never expected to be grateful for after moving to South Korea. 👉🏻

This carousel is a little reminder that sometimes the biggest gifts from a chapter of your life aren’t the ones you were looking for—they’re the ones you never saw coming.

These are just a few reflections from my time living abroad in Korea. What I didn’t expect were the things you can’t really plan for.

The quiet moments that slowly change you. The lessons you only learn by living somewhere unfamiliar. The parts of yourself you don’t discover until you’re far away from everything you’ve ever known.

If you’ve ever moved abroad, travelled solo, or taken a leap that scared you, I’d love to know:

💭 What’s something you’re grateful you gained that you never expected?

📌 If you’re thinking about working in Korea, I’ve got a free guide on my website about how I got my job in South Korea for your reference. 

#livingabroad #southkorea #seoul 

Prior to the move, I had quit university and was job searching for positions in South Korea.

I was pretty lucky to connect with some genuine people overseas. I've heard from others and online that making friends in Korea can be difficult. 

Before I left some of my coworkers gave me going away presents which I wasn't expecting at all. 

One of my coworkers even handwrote a heartfelt message on the gift.

Most of the time I'd spend my weekends exploring a different region or city. 

Random viewpoint I found when I did a weekend trip in Jeonju.

One of unexpected perks of my job was being invited to work excursions which meant I got to see some new places around Korea. 

Hard to pick a favourite season in Korea. It's probably a tie between autumn or spring. 

Before I moved I took online Korean lessons but the language barrier was still a bit of a shock. 

One of my favourite things to do alone was exploring either my local area or cafe hopping. 

Even everyday tasks were a bit more challenging with the language barrier. 

There's definitely a learning curve once you move to a new place. Just remember to be patient with yourself while you're adjusting.

A friend took this photo after we got dropped off at a hotel.  I promise you those are not
🙇🏻‍♀️ Part 14 of media to read in your twenties ✨ 🙇🏻‍♀️ Part 14 of media to read in your twenties ✨
Here’s your next round of long-form reads for navigating your twenties.

💌 Enjoyed this post? I share weekly media recommendations (books, films, articles, podcasts & more) in my newsletter—link in bio if you’d like to join.

💡 Want even more? Check out my full “media to consume instead of doom-scrolling” series on my profile.

💭 Want the links for these articles? Sign up for my newsletter for the full list of articles + essays featured here.

#twenties #whattoread #articles
Swipe for a peek through my camera roll in Switzer Swipe for a peek through my camera roll in Switzerland 📸✨

I finally gave this “what you see vs what I took” trend a go, which gave me an excuse to dig into my Europe travel archives to match real-life moments with the photos and videos I came home with.

It’s always interesting comparing the scene in front of me with the final image — sometimes the difference comes down to a small change in perspective, framing, or zoom.

A few tips for getting similar shots:

📷 I usually shoot on either my @Sony camera or @Samsung phone. When I'm using my camera, having a zoom lens makes a huge difference for capturing details, architecture, and subjects that are further away.

✨ My go-to travel lens is the @tamronaus 17–70mm. It’s incredibly versatile and lets me switch between landscapes, portraits, street scenes, and architecture without constantly changing lenses.

🔍 Don't be afraid to use zoom. Whether you're shooting on a camera or your phone, some scenes look much stronger when you zoom in slightly (2x–4x) to simplify the composition and draw attention to your subject.

📸 Photos were edited in Lightroom using my presets (linked in my bio)

#europe #switzerland #travelphotography #bucketlist @lightroom

One of the most popular views you'll see of Lauterbrunnen online. You'll want to visit early in the morning to avoid the crowds. 🤭

This street was once awarded the "most beautiful street" in Europe.

Views after the ride up to the toboggan ride in Grindelwald. This was taken around midday so the lighting was a bit harsh.

Iconic shot of the locals of Switzerland. 🐄🐮

Found this viewpoint with now crowds in Grindelwald. Best spot for a sunrise or sunset.

This was taken near the toboggan ride in Grindelwald.

One of my favourite viewpoints in Wengen.

Found this helpful? 👀 

I've got guides on my profile to help you with:

📷 Editing your photos on your phone

🗺 Planning a trip to Switzerland or you can comment "GUIDE" and i'll send you my 1 week travel itinerary.
🙇🏻‍♀️ Everything I've loved so far this month✨ A 🙇🏻‍♀️ Everything I've loved so far this month✨

A wrap-up of highlights, things and favourites that have helped June pass by. 

You’ll find all the links to products and resources in the carousel.💭 I’d love to know — what have been some of your June favourites?

💌 I also share a weekly Monday/Sunday newsletter where I dive deeper into the tips, resources, and small joys I’ve been discovering lately — you can sign up via the link in my bio.

📌 Swipe to see what’s featured this month.

#monthlyfavourites #japan 

🙇🏻‍♀️ My Mandarin studies have been moving at a slower pace lately, but I recently discovered a handy plug-in that's made self-study at home much easier.

 I usually aim for at least 30 minutes a day, but I'm currently working towards building that up to an hour daily.

The cooler weather has meant I've started using more of my regular skincare products on the go. 

🎧 It's been a busy month, so I've been listening to more podcasts while commuting, running errands, or pottering around the house. 

Here are a few podcasts I've particularly enjoyed recently.

💌 If you're into podcast recommendations, long-form articles, and other media favourites, I share them regularly in my Substack newsletter.

June saw a lot of my down time consumed by Asian dramas. Chinese dramas have also been helpful with practicing my reading and listening skills. 🤔

📚 Reading was a little slower this month, but I've been leaning into summery reads to balance out the colder weather. Carley Fortune has been one of my favourite authors lately, and my standout read was One Golden Summer from her Barry's Bay series. 

Has anyone watched the TV adaptation of Every Summer After on @primevideoaunz yet?

📖 Even with a slower reading month, I'm still on track to reach my goal of reading 60 books this year. 

I use @the.storygraph to track my stats, but I also love organising my book notes, reviews, and reading data in Notion. (You can find my reading template through the link in my bio.)

🍊 Winter has officially arrived in Western Australia, bringing with it some seasonal favourites. Mandarins have been a nice treat in the mornings. 

Cooler weather means bringing out the jum
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