Picture this: You’re the new person that everyone wants to talk to. Questions fly at you from every angle, “Where’d you come from? How long are you here? Where did you go to school? Do you have a dog?” And while these may all seem to be good-natured and friendly questions, to you it’s the source of your sweaty palms or racing heart. So, how on earth can you travel as an introvert?
There are plenty of people out there just like this. What are the ups and downs of traveling as someone with an introverted personality? Some find the idea to be an intimidating experience, but what ultimately made them decide to take the plunge? There’s a laundry list of reasons, and everyone has their own. Yes, people even do it just to meet people and build new relationships! In my time as a healthcare recruiter I’ve spoken with many travelers who turn to travel for that exact reason. It’s always amazing to hear about lasting relationships from past assignments.
You may not see yourself as a bold or outgoing person, but making the career change to travel was in fact a bold decision. Solo travel can be a rewarding experience for someone who is an introvert. You can be as cordial as you like, all the while maintaining a schedule of activities you’re comfortable with.
Whether you plan to ask an outgoing coworker to show you the new scene and community, or are looking to meet people organically along your own travel plans, it’s important to keep in mind that it’s your travel experience and to approach it how you want. Rather than inviting every new co-worker on an adventure with you, try sticking to a one-on-one interaction with someone.
Let’s also look at it from a realistic perspective; when you sign up to travel, you are signing up for A LOT of alone time. If you are an introvert, this is where you might actually flourish. It may seem like you’re always supposed to see the big cities and visit all the popular restaurants and attractions, but if you don’t want to fend off large crowds, you don’t have to! Although missing out on some of the local attractions is perfectly alright, you may at least want to consider visiting a couple during non-peak hours and snapping some photos as a keepsake from your adventures.
It’s also important to travel your own way and bring what you love with you. For many, it’s a pet companion or hobbies they’re passionate about. These can range from activities like photography and reading to nature hikes and everything in between.
Picture an assignment setting where you see yourself most comfortable. What does it look like? For some, it’s a friendly, small-town environment where they can grow close with their coworkers and the locals in the community, while others look for a bustling city where they can simply keep to themselves.
When it comes down to it, your assignment is what you make of it. Think back to why you wanted to start traveling in the first place and invest your time into what matters to you so when you look back, you know it was time well spent.
Chase Ahlers is a Social Media Recruiter for the Medical Laboratory division of Aureus Medical Group.