I totally understand that kind feeling and can sympathize with people who find themselves in such an uncomfortable situation. I felt like that years ago when I had to travel by myself for the first time. However, I would translate it rather as “fear of the unknown."

It’s only natural that when you have to go to a different place, especially on your own, that you might have fear. Not knowing what to expect from something is quite scary.

Nowadays, though, there are many ways of finding out ahead of time about the places you’re going to visit. There are books and magazines you can buy; there are websites on the Internet that you can check. Perhaps, you know someone who’s been where you want to go and with whom you can talk about it.Even after getting the information you need, there will always be some kind of uneasiness. That happens with anything new in life, right? However, if you hold on the old and won’t try something new, you won’t have any enriching experience either.

So, when I first had the opportunity to come to the United States, I was scared to death. I was eighteen years old and had never traveled by myself before. I was used to leading a simple life in the suburbs of Rio with my mom, my siblings and my extended family, in a four-bedroom apartment.

You see, our suburban neighborhoods are formed mainly of middle class people who live in simple homes or apartment buildings. In their homes, they have only one TV, one refrigerator, one stove, and one phone. And they have no cars and depend on public transportation to commute to work.

Now, imagine my drama: I was coming to a first world country. What should I expect? How were the people there? Would they be friendly? Would they accept me? Would they try to understand me? What were their homes and food like? Would I be able to adapt to those changes? Well, I had tons of questions, but I was determined to make the best of it.

I had heard good and bad things about this country. I wasn’t sure if they were true or not. I had to decide whether I was going to let those rumors stop me or not. In spite of the fear, I had a gut feeling that it would be worth taking a chance.

Deep inside, somehow, I knew that this would not only be an opportunity to develop the knowledge of a new language, but also a great potential for a life changing experience.

That’s exactly what I believe happens whenever you go to a different place anywhere in the world, even if it’s in your back yard. If there are new things to experience they will make a difference in your life and it’s up to you to let them affect you either positively or negatively.

What has you experience been? I’d love to hear your feedback.

Good travels!