I joined the Peace Corps when I was 21. I was assigned to move to Bulgaria where I lived alone in a post-communist block apartment building at the edge of town…all by myself with no English-speaking neighbors and tons of cockroaches. I loved it. THIS was hands-down the BEST life choice I’ve ever made and has since shaped my entire life…but I almost didn’t go.

I come from a smallish town full of people who rarely travel beyond North America but sure do watch a lot of CNN. Naturally, many travel opinions are created by sensationalist media stories. And so, I had more people than not trying to convince me not to travel because it was dangerous. Stories about kidnapping, shootings, and stolen purses were the topic of conversation the months leading up to my departure.

My favorite phone call of all? “God told me that you’re going to die”. Not kidding.

Ten years later, I have not been kidnapped or shot. Although I did have my purse stolen (see tip #5). And hey, I’m still alive. I often imagine what my life would look like if I listened to those friends and relatives. But I chose do my research instead.