Back story: I had the amazing opportunity to study abroad this past summer in Spain. When I found out, my dad approached me and asked me if I wanted to travel afterwards, alone. Saying yes is what led me to one of the best experiences of my life (thus far). On this short trip I discovered not only a strong love of travel, but a new and improved version of myself.

Although it was rough at times, I learned a lot of important lessons. So this one is for the aspiring young female traveler who is contemplating traveling alone. I hope that the 23 things I wish I knew before I traveled solo will help you in your first adventure.

1. You will get home sick.

Even if you don't think you will, you will. Trust me. Before I left I was so excited to get away from home I didn't think I would ever miss it. But I did. I missed my normal bed, the familiar smells of the Pacific Northwest and the usual faces I saw everyday. If I'm being completely honest, I considered just going home early. Then the lovely grasps of travel dragged me in and I never looked back.

2. It's OK to eat alone.

I was really worried about eating alone. I feel that we often freak out every time the thought of being alone crosses our mind. Then I realized I couldn't order in food to my hostel and I actually went out and found that eating alone wasn't bad. It was actually nice to sit in silence and just be (and enjoy some bomb food).

3. It's OK to make new friends and eat with them.

Being OK on your own doesn't mean you shouldn't also make new friends along the way. The great thing about staying in hostels (because we are young and don't have the money for a hotel) is that you are bound to meet some pretty cool people. I know I sure did. At first I was really scared of introducing myself to other travelers, let alone asking them if they wanted to go do something with me. I made some great friends in my time abroad, but sometimes I wonder if I could have made more had I not been scared those first few days.

4. Post cards are the best way to keep friends from home updated.

All my friends put Viber on their phones so they could text me, but we almost never used it. The time difference made things incredibly hard. So I started writing down everything I wanted to tell my best friend on post cards.

5. Social media should be used for proof of life (and that's it).

I love Instagram so much (as my friends and family know very well) and I kept it updated quite often when I was away for two reasons: to show off cool pictures and to let everyone know I hadn't become a part of a real life plot line for "Taken" (too soon Dad...?). Other than that I really do regret every moment I spent scrolling through my various feeds. If anything, it just made me miss home and disconnected me from what was going on around me.

6. It's absolutely vital to pack light.

It was really awkward asking that nice Scottish guy in my hostel to zip my suitcase as I sat on it.

7. It's important to call your parents.

A picture of you in some obscure Thai fusion restaurant in the middle of Lisbon with random people posted on Facebook isn't enough for your parents. They need to hear your voice. It's your first time truly alone and it's important to cut them some slack. They did make you and all.

8. Soak in every interesting person you meet.

I wish I had somehow managed to listen more to the crazy stories more seasoned travelers told me in hostels. I chatted with Americans who quit their jobs and have been traveling ever since. I drank with Germans in the middle of the Camino de Santiago. I went to the beach with carefree Australians and in the process I found out something incredibly amazing. There are two types of people in this world: those who dream about adventure and those who go and chase it.

9. Sometimes the Wi-Fi won't work.

It either runs extremely slow or will cut out all together. So don't think you'll be capturing all the prime moments for your snap story as quickly as you would be able to at home. This is okay. As much as I love Snapchat myself, I learned on my trip that not every moment was meant to be broadcasted. Sometimes it was better to be appreciated in solidarity.

10. Make sure to say "yes" a majority of the time.

"Want to check out a cool outdoor bar with us tonight? We are all going to go watch the sunset."

"Want to join me for breakfast?"

"I'm going to go hiking tomorrow, would you like to come with?"

These are all actual questions I got asked when I was in Europe and they all share one thing in common. I answered "no." Either because I was too scared or didn't trust myself to take a chance, change my plan and say "yes." Sometimes I wonder about the connections I would have made if I had just let go of the fear of something new.

11. But know when to say "no."

If you're getting a bad vibe from someone, just walk away.

Be adventurous, not stupid.

12. Bring back stories, not gifts.

Key chains and T-shirts are great, but in order to keep up with the 'pack light' advice I suggested above maybe they aren't the best idea. I was so excited to bring back gifts for my family and friends, but there is nothing like a story told over tea to catch up with the people you missed the most.

13. The best sights are usually free.

I paid a lot of money to get into certain "must-see" monuments, but the most beautiful scenes that have stuck in my mind to this day came at the sweet price of nothing.

Like this picture below taken in Lisbon!

14. Hostel horror stories are only half true.

I was lucky and stayed in two really nice hostels. I'm talking hot showers, clean beds and staff that actually made you feel like family. But in my travels I met others who didn't hold back telling me some of the horrific things they had encountered in other hostels. All I can say is do your research and always bring a padlock.

15. Hot, traveling, Australian Surfers do exist.

It's just reassuring to know that extremely beautiful foreign men aren't figments of our imagination. They really do exist. I mean I didn't talk to them because I was too busy texting all my friends about the hot, traveling, Australian surfers, but still.

16. Yet so do creepy guys.

But everything abroad isn't always as glamorous as you think it's going to be. Every city has its own set of sketchy people. Be cautious.

17. People will be surprised you're alone.

I was thrown off by all the compliments I received from other travelers. They couldn't believe a young, American girl was traveling all by herself. I had been worried that I would be ostracized since I was all alone, but if anything I was welcomed with open arms into each little hostel community.

18. Planning is good.

I made three copies of my itinerary. One for myself. One for my suitcase. One for my parents. It made times I felt uneasy a little less stressful.

19. Spontaneity is fun.

It's okay to let go of the plan a little.

20. It's OK to get lost.

I wish I had let myself get lost a little more. I was always so paranoid I would never get back to where I was supposed to be. Yet what is the point of exploring somewhere new if you don't feel just a little bit uncomfortable at times?

21. You will never want to leave.

You will fall in love with each city you go to. The crazy thing is, you won't realize it until it's time to leave.

22. It's not only possible to travel solo, it's been done.

It felt like this big thing that no one ever did. But people do it. Not just people, young women. All on their own. I did it. So you can do it too.

23. Once you come back, you'll never be the same.

I've sipped wine in Barcelona, laid on the beach in Carcavelos, explored the castles of Sintra and enjoyed the famous pastries of Belem. I've sipped mojitos with Germans and enjoyed tapas with Australians. I've seen the sunset on the other side of the world and learned to appreciate the friendships spurred by having only one thing in common: being in the same place, at the same time.

If you're gone for two weeks or two years any amount of travel changes you. I learned that first hand.

I hope if you have been contemplating traveling on your own as a young female traveler that I have provided you with enough (hopefully helpful) advice.

Now go out and see the world! I wish you good food, great friends, mind blowing scenery and, as always, a safe journey home.

Thank you to my dad for putting his faith in me to be able to travel alone and to my mom for praying for my safe return every day along the way.