Swanny

Alrighty, I have a ton of questions that hopefully you guys can help me with.

First- My mum is Scottish and I'm thinking of going for dual-citizenship. Would you agree that this is worth it? Especially if I want to work or travel for long periods of time in the UK?
Second- When would you say the right time to go backpacking is? I have alot of travelling ahead of me in the next couple of years (Europe this coming May, France in 2007 and Greenland in the summer of 2007). I (hopefully ) will have graduated in 2007 but I will still only be 17. Is it worth going to university for one year then going on a huge backpacking trip? Or should I just wait until October when I turn 18 to go on my adventure?
And one last thing, is there anything I can do to prepare for the trip? Like start working out or making a habit of walking for long periods of time?

Any and all advice would be appreciated. :D

TheJake

yes to all of the above.

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worldwidemike

I would say plan on your big, open-ended trip after you graduate from High School. And don't lock yourself into a University -- take care of it when you get back. If you see some of the amazing opportunities that come up when you travel, you'd hate to miss out on them.

College will always be there.

Oh, and if you can score dual citizenship, go for it! It will make working while traveling so much easier...

worldwidemike

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foofiter

Waiting until age 18 would help too. Use that time to work and save some extra money. Also use that time to work on the dual citizenship and researching the places you wish to visit. I think there is no real "best time" to go backpacking. The weather would be the only stipulation. Low season is cheap and less crowded but also colder. High season costs more with bigger crowds but the weather is nicer. Its all up to you.

Just be sure to pack half as much as you think you need and twice as much money as you think you need.

foofiter

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I am traveling around the world until I find something that makes me want to stop. I am an aspiring photographer and hope to find whatever it is I am looking for...

bellelass

first, HELL YES get the Uk citizenship. Seriously. Seriously. Really. Im dead serious, get it. Then marry me. It opens up not only the UK but the EU as well. COMPLETELY WORTH IT.

Second- personally I dont like the people who are backpacking cos its kind of trendy in an indy sort of way, so I would say avoid europe like the plague during the summer. Just my opinion.

Dont start uni before your big backpacking trip. Take a nice long trip (especially since you're graduating early) and it will help you get more of a handle on exactly who you are and what you want. I dont think it would make much of a difference when you're in europe whether you are 17 or 18, Im with mike, just go and sort out uni when you get back.

As for working out, meh. Not really worth it. You'll go through agony the first few days or weeks or whatever but you'll get used to it and lose weight and get stronger etc. I mean, by all means work out, its great for your body and you'll feel wonderful. I would say its more important to prepare your mind. Think about where you want to go, why, what do you want to see, what do you know about it, what can you find out about it, what can you teach yourself about it before you go, etc. You'll find more interesting things in your researches, and this little nerd loves digging up history and then visiting the sites. Going to the tower of london after years of reading tudor history was an almost religious experience for me. I'm into weird ancient stuff and the paranormal, etc so I'd read shitloads of stuff about stonehenge before I actually went.

I hope you have a wonderful time...

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"All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible. This I did."
-T.E. Lawrence, Seven Pillars of Wisdom

Kaaar

Yes, definately get the British passport - it will make travelling through Europe a breeze - you'll just have to flash your passport at customs and they'll let you through no problemo. (although admittedly I don't know how easy it is on a US passport)

worldwidemike

Damn, Steph! And I pictured you as the party girl in Europe...! And here you are, Miss Indiana Jones...I love it!!!

worldwidemike

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"Life is not measured in the number of breaths we take, but by the places that take our breath away..."

Swanny

Thanks you guys, you've answered all of my questions. :D (Pretty much exactly how I wanted to here them also )
I'm Canadian so that should help things a bit.

Oh and I have no problem with cold temperatures, it gets pretty chilly here in the winter (-40*C where I am) so it shouldn't be a problem for me.

bellelass

well dont get the wrong idea... hehe. a little from column A, a little from column B.....

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"All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible. This I did."
-T.E. Lawrence, Seven Pillars of Wisdom