I Quit My Studies At The Age Of 18 And Traveled To 97 Countries Since Then
Bored from studies I quit everything when I was 18-years-old and started traveling around the world. Now I’m 27 and have visited 97 countries, From Nigeria in Africa to North Korea in Asia.
I always travel on a low budget and I never use guidebooks. Here are some of the hidden beauties around the world.
More info: unusualtraveler
Pakistan truck
A truck in front of Attabad lake in Northen Pakistan.
Larung Gar, China
I went to Larung gar in western Sichuan in China and visited the biggest Buddhist school in the world.
North Korea
I went to North Korea on a low budget and this was the view from my hotel.
Katski Pilar, Georgia
I went to this church in Georgia and stayed there for a night.
Esfahan, Iran
Tadjikistan wedding
I was lucky to get invited to a wedding in Tadjikistan.
Mt.Everest from Tibet side
I was lucky to visit MT.Everest basecamp 3 times. 2 times from Nepal and 1 time from Tibet.
Registan, Uzbekistan
The amazing Registan in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. one of the most impressing buildings anywhere in the world.
One of the old forgotten boats where the Aral Sea used to be in Uzbekistan.
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Share on FacebookYou have never mentioned where you get the money to travel . At 18 you could not have worked a long time before starting out.
This whole post should be called "My family can afford it for me to skip school and send me on a trip for 8 years, here are the pictures I took"
Load More Replies...Traveling the world IS an education. I do have to say, though that traveling the way you do in most parts of the world is much easier for a male than a female.
I totaly agree that traveling is easier for males then females, BUT i meet more single female travelers in Pakistan, Central Asia, and in Africa then i meet signle male travelers
Load More Replies...I wish I could travel the world, too! I'm feeling so jealous now! :D You've done a great job!
They don't speak about how it was funded. Not really essential but would be helpful to know for others who wish to take a similar jump.
Check out the voluntourism advocated by Joyce Major at smilingattheworld.com and in her book "Smiling at the World". There are many ways to earn a living when traveling, staying in one place for a month or more, which also gives you a much better chance to get to know the place and the people who live there. I know, because I have done it, and I am a lot older than the lad who posted these fantastic pictures.
Load More Replies...I'm currently living in Shanghai as a TEFL teacher, you can earn a decent wage with healthcare, and minimal living costs. If you live in an Eastern country on Western wages you're laughing. As a native English speaker you'll struggle to not get a job, if you at least try that is. That being said I earned $ AUD1200 a week after tax as a waitress in Sydney and spent it all. Adding to that I lived and worked in the outback...saved $1500 in 3 weeks...I mean not really much to spend you're money on in these remote places! Some people are just better at making their money and consequently their life experiences stretch. He probably didn't waste all his money at 18 getting drunk, smoking pot and getting crappy haircuts and tattoos? Don't get me started on the amount of people who have iphones either....how do these 18 year olds afford all that?
Guys, can we just admire the photos instead of musing about the parents of the author?! He didn't go to Italy or Monaco you know! Countries he shows here are much cheaper than you can imagine. May be he does some free-lancing and online journalism or tutoring in the places he goes to! Let's not forget the adventurers who would go around the world and survive on some local work. It's us who are sitting comfortably in our offices who cant imagine just quitting our jobs, leaving everything behind and travelling on low budget...
Some people don't realise how cheap it is to travel. At sixteen, I hitch-hiked around Europe (for nothing), slept out (for free) and returned bottles to shops in exchange bread and pate. I even came back with more money than I left with; after spending a few weeks picking fruit.
Your photos are awesome! I would love to be able to travel like that. Maybe in my next life! Doesn't matter where you got the money to travel, point is you got to do all this travelling and are willing to share a little bit of your adventures with us. Thank you.
Check out the voluntourism advocated by Joyce Major at smilingattheworld.com and in her book "Smiling at the World". There are many ways to earn a living when traveling, staying in one place for a month or more, which also gives you a much better chance to get to know the place and the people who live there. I know, because I have done it, and I am a lot older than the lad who posted these fantastic pictures.
Load More Replies...Awesome! I love travelling too. What is the best way to find a job in a new country? I would be afraid to not find a job I think. And how long have you stayed in most countries?
Check out the voluntourism advocated by Joyce Major at smilingattheworld.com and in her book "Smiling at the World". There are many ways to earn a living when traveling, staying in one place for a month or more, which also gives you a much better chance to get to know the place and the people who live there. I know, because I have done it, and I am a lot older than the lad who posted these fantastic pictures.
Load More Replies...Hi! I read your article and all the comments. I'm also interested how you got the money o finance all the travels. I am myself a backpack traveller and I also come and go and do a little work here and there so I know how much you can earn in different places. So I don't believe you travelled relying only on the money you earn in visiting countries. Now, when you say you 'worked' I can only imagine one kind of work to finance your travells for 10 years... Sorry :(
There are so many questions coming up. How could u finance it...of course here and there u can get a job or work for a bed etc. But not always. Also after such a long time how can u settle somewhere and get a decent job. I traveleld about 10 countrys in 3 continents over the last tree years but finally i had to go back home unfortunately starting a job nd learn sth now unless im to old for that. Im really curious and big respect for that!
Check out the voluntourism advocated by Joyce Major at smilingattheworld.com and in her book "Smiling at the World". There are many ways to earn a living when traveling, staying in one place for a month or more, which also gives you a much better chance to get to know the place and the people who live there. I know, because I have done it, and I am a lot older than the lad who posted these fantastic pictures.
Load More Replies...I would like to buy the right to print that shot 'Larung Gar, China". I could look at it for hours.
Then you should have a look at this one! http://www.marcograssiphotography.com/Image-Galleries/Landscapes-nature/i-2sDmDVr/A You can directly order a print from Marco's website if you like it :) or contact Marco to ask him to send you other of his "Larung Gar" photos :)
Load More Replies...It's either you're coming from a rich family, or you do the work here and there while you're traveling. Well, despite how you fund your journey, I do really appreciate your courage to took the decision! Bravo!
work here and there while traveling, from farm work, hotel work, bar work, working at dive center
Load More Replies...After college I worked in Central America. It was a far better education than college. I learned a new language and culture and what makes these people tick, on how the US gov and bankers create the rampant poverty plaguing the 3rd world. I woke up and saw that most Americans live in a fantasy world.
About you recent article on Boredpanda. Shame on you! Writing "Supermarkets are just as well stocked as in the west and people go partying in bars in the weekend." This is really disgusting! Just few kilometres away from the place you were enjoying watching people "partying" there were children starving to death because of Assad barbarian siege on their city al-Ghouta! Next time be brave and go take pictures there!
Good luck to you! I did something a little similar at that age... Just one point: going to North Korea is going for a holiday to a concentration camp! Not very moral, people are dying there from hunger, being born dead etc etc.
I am jealous. Such an opportunity! Good for you, one for being male (don't think a woman would fare as well) and doing what it takes to explore.
that why i need to quit my study too and my problem is MONEY WHERE ARE YOU?
Check out the voluntourism advocated by Joyce Major at smilingattheworld.com and in her book "Smiling at the World". There are many ways to earn a living when traveling, staying in one place for a month or more, which also gives you a much better chance to get to know the place and the people who live there.
Load More Replies...Awsome...imagine you get $ from images and stories to $ell? You most certainly have " the curse of the traveller"...( can't stop travelling....what a great " disorder" to have if you can finance it?!
Check out the voluntourism advocated by Joyce Major at smilingattheworld.com and in her book "Smiling at the World". There are many ways to earn a living when traveling, staying in one place for a month or more, which also gives you a much better chance to get to know the place and the people who live there. I know, because I have done it, and I am a lot older than the lad who posted these fantastic pictures.
Load More Replies...So to answer the question ‘How much money do I need to save up before I go travelling?’ I never spend more than 10,000USD a year traveling but i have friends that do the same for 1,000USD. Could I spend less than 10,000USD a year? Yes, definitely! I make now 12.000/year. back home I was on 3000/year. that is a lot of money, mate. no envy, no nothing. that is just a fact.
So to answer the question ‘How much money do I need to save up before I go travelling?’ I never spend more than 10,000USD a year traveling but i have friends that do the same for 1,000USD. Could I spend less than 10,000USD a year? Yes, definitely! some people do not make 10.000$/year
I want to ask you a question: assuming that the money he got for travelling came from his parents, it would have been more acceptable to you if they would have given him the same amount of money for his studies at university? I don't think yours is jelousy, I think you just have small minds. There is a System of a down's song that say "When you free small minds you'll free your life", take the advice. Good luck Christian, it doesen't matter how you got the monye, you did it mate, THIS matter.
So, where did you find the money for the trip, the visas, the dslr camera, the PC and the lightroom account?
So, where did you find the money for your trip, your dslr camera, your PC and you Adobe Lightroom account?
How i wish i could travel that much- i am wonderin on how and where you get your money in travelling since you quit wverything
Awesome! I love travelling too. I wonder though, how do you find jobs in the new countries? I would be afraid not to find anything and end up without money. And how long have you stayed in most countries?
Christian ! Eg har akkurat set at din hjemmeside er blitt rekomenderet på facebook af "travel the world" (kjempe kjekt :) ) men når eg klikke på linker komme eg ikkje direkte ind på din heimaside. Og denne adgang er via bored panda :) eg kan sjå at der er folk der har spørgsmål til deg og vil gjerna henvisa til din heimaside ! Men eg kann ikkje finda linket! Og Thomas Gravdal har lagt seg (eg er hans kjæreste ;)). Ville bare gi deg et heads up! Har tagga thomas så han kan sjå at du er gone viral når han våknar! Thumbs up :)
I love that the pics showed what the Travel Brochures don't... get the real feel for out of the way countries... Would love to do the same. Good job!
I didn´t quit my job and I often help hitch hikers like you travel from one place to another. *feeling like a fool*
Well done Christian! For those of you that presume that Christian or his parents must have money for him to afford such travel, you don't get out much, do you?
Wow! These photos are incredible! Such an inspiration, I hope I can visit as many countries as you by the time I'm 27... or maybe 37 ;). www.chloetravels.com
Astonishing places. It really is something tough, but a female can manage to travel alone. This photographs are amazing. I wish to you that you travel a long time from now on, and show us more beautiful places. Have you thought about Africa or Australia?
The most expensive thing while traveling is the visa fees to alot of countries, specialy in west africa and central asia. where the visa fee can realy put you back $$$$. If you organize everything yourself, and don't pay commision to travel agency etc then traveling is cheap, very cheap. I have just spend 3weeks in Sweden and its not alot more expensive then south east asia
Load More Replies...i eat everything from Kobe beef, to noddels from street vendors. i Do like it eat good, and i do like some beers know and then. But i never visit touristy resturants, or resturants recommed by Lonely Planet/Trip Advisor, or at least not on purpose. Its just a myth thats expensive to travel, money i get from doing work here and there around the world, from farm work, bar, hostels etc.
Load More Replies...I think you should be less agressive against the people who ask you how you get the money... Your answers are very rude. You travel around the world but you don't seem to understand humans. You don't seem to understand how people can be sad just by looking these photos, and tell you that you can afford this just because you are rich. Some men are poor, ill, unhappy with their life, and you don't have to be rude just because they are too. I say, that even if you pay everything yourself, you have to have money. That is obvious. That is not jealousy. You have to be quite healthy too, and that is a chance. People who are rude to you are not necessaraly jealous of you, they are sad and frustrated by their situations. You are not the center of the world.
So it is okay for others to be rude to the author, making snide remarks and false assumptions about someone they don't even know... but it's not acceptable for him to answer factually that he earned his way? What silly nonsense. btw, is remarks are not rude at all, just a brief statement of fact in answer to a question.
Load More Replies...Impressive photos but the writing is quite preachy, the idea of it being a low budget holiday but being able to book a hotel not a hostel makes me doubt the claim that there has been no financial support especially if you own a camera that can do HD photos. Still no matter where the financial support came I am jealous of the experiences you must have had during your travels and really like the photos!
traveled the world but no humility. People have legitimate questions about how you accomplished your achievements and you lash out at them. I'm curious as well, since most countries have very strict laws about being paid to work if you're a tourist, and you're supposed to report that income to the US.
So far I haven't read anything very legitimate! I also didn't read where he said he was from the U.S.!!
Load More Replies...Must be nice to be bored, "quit ur studies" at 18 (omg I am laughing. Really??) and travel the world. Was that budget ur parents money too?
You have never mentioned where you get the money to travel . At 18 you could not have worked a long time before starting out.
This whole post should be called "My family can afford it for me to skip school and send me on a trip for 8 years, here are the pictures I took"
Load More Replies...Traveling the world IS an education. I do have to say, though that traveling the way you do in most parts of the world is much easier for a male than a female.
I totaly agree that traveling is easier for males then females, BUT i meet more single female travelers in Pakistan, Central Asia, and in Africa then i meet signle male travelers
Load More Replies...I wish I could travel the world, too! I'm feeling so jealous now! :D You've done a great job!
They don't speak about how it was funded. Not really essential but would be helpful to know for others who wish to take a similar jump.
Check out the voluntourism advocated by Joyce Major at smilingattheworld.com and in her book "Smiling at the World". There are many ways to earn a living when traveling, staying in one place for a month or more, which also gives you a much better chance to get to know the place and the people who live there. I know, because I have done it, and I am a lot older than the lad who posted these fantastic pictures.
Load More Replies...I'm currently living in Shanghai as a TEFL teacher, you can earn a decent wage with healthcare, and minimal living costs. If you live in an Eastern country on Western wages you're laughing. As a native English speaker you'll struggle to not get a job, if you at least try that is. That being said I earned $ AUD1200 a week after tax as a waitress in Sydney and spent it all. Adding to that I lived and worked in the outback...saved $1500 in 3 weeks...I mean not really much to spend you're money on in these remote places! Some people are just better at making their money and consequently their life experiences stretch. He probably didn't waste all his money at 18 getting drunk, smoking pot and getting crappy haircuts and tattoos? Don't get me started on the amount of people who have iphones either....how do these 18 year olds afford all that?
Guys, can we just admire the photos instead of musing about the parents of the author?! He didn't go to Italy or Monaco you know! Countries he shows here are much cheaper than you can imagine. May be he does some free-lancing and online journalism or tutoring in the places he goes to! Let's not forget the adventurers who would go around the world and survive on some local work. It's us who are sitting comfortably in our offices who cant imagine just quitting our jobs, leaving everything behind and travelling on low budget...
Some people don't realise how cheap it is to travel. At sixteen, I hitch-hiked around Europe (for nothing), slept out (for free) and returned bottles to shops in exchange bread and pate. I even came back with more money than I left with; after spending a few weeks picking fruit.
Your photos are awesome! I would love to be able to travel like that. Maybe in my next life! Doesn't matter where you got the money to travel, point is you got to do all this travelling and are willing to share a little bit of your adventures with us. Thank you.
Check out the voluntourism advocated by Joyce Major at smilingattheworld.com and in her book "Smiling at the World". There are many ways to earn a living when traveling, staying in one place for a month or more, which also gives you a much better chance to get to know the place and the people who live there. I know, because I have done it, and I am a lot older than the lad who posted these fantastic pictures.
Load More Replies...Awesome! I love travelling too. What is the best way to find a job in a new country? I would be afraid to not find a job I think. And how long have you stayed in most countries?
Check out the voluntourism advocated by Joyce Major at smilingattheworld.com and in her book "Smiling at the World". There are many ways to earn a living when traveling, staying in one place for a month or more, which also gives you a much better chance to get to know the place and the people who live there. I know, because I have done it, and I am a lot older than the lad who posted these fantastic pictures.
Load More Replies...Hi! I read your article and all the comments. I'm also interested how you got the money o finance all the travels. I am myself a backpack traveller and I also come and go and do a little work here and there so I know how much you can earn in different places. So I don't believe you travelled relying only on the money you earn in visiting countries. Now, when you say you 'worked' I can only imagine one kind of work to finance your travells for 10 years... Sorry :(
There are so many questions coming up. How could u finance it...of course here and there u can get a job or work for a bed etc. But not always. Also after such a long time how can u settle somewhere and get a decent job. I traveleld about 10 countrys in 3 continents over the last tree years but finally i had to go back home unfortunately starting a job nd learn sth now unless im to old for that. Im really curious and big respect for that!
Check out the voluntourism advocated by Joyce Major at smilingattheworld.com and in her book "Smiling at the World". There are many ways to earn a living when traveling, staying in one place for a month or more, which also gives you a much better chance to get to know the place and the people who live there. I know, because I have done it, and I am a lot older than the lad who posted these fantastic pictures.
Load More Replies...I would like to buy the right to print that shot 'Larung Gar, China". I could look at it for hours.
Then you should have a look at this one! http://www.marcograssiphotography.com/Image-Galleries/Landscapes-nature/i-2sDmDVr/A You can directly order a print from Marco's website if you like it :) or contact Marco to ask him to send you other of his "Larung Gar" photos :)
Load More Replies...It's either you're coming from a rich family, or you do the work here and there while you're traveling. Well, despite how you fund your journey, I do really appreciate your courage to took the decision! Bravo!
work here and there while traveling, from farm work, hotel work, bar work, working at dive center
Load More Replies...After college I worked in Central America. It was a far better education than college. I learned a new language and culture and what makes these people tick, on how the US gov and bankers create the rampant poverty plaguing the 3rd world. I woke up and saw that most Americans live in a fantasy world.
About you recent article on Boredpanda. Shame on you! Writing "Supermarkets are just as well stocked as in the west and people go partying in bars in the weekend." This is really disgusting! Just few kilometres away from the place you were enjoying watching people "partying" there were children starving to death because of Assad barbarian siege on their city al-Ghouta! Next time be brave and go take pictures there!
Good luck to you! I did something a little similar at that age... Just one point: going to North Korea is going for a holiday to a concentration camp! Not very moral, people are dying there from hunger, being born dead etc etc.
I am jealous. Such an opportunity! Good for you, one for being male (don't think a woman would fare as well) and doing what it takes to explore.
that why i need to quit my study too and my problem is MONEY WHERE ARE YOU?
Check out the voluntourism advocated by Joyce Major at smilingattheworld.com and in her book "Smiling at the World". There are many ways to earn a living when traveling, staying in one place for a month or more, which also gives you a much better chance to get to know the place and the people who live there.
Load More Replies...Awsome...imagine you get $ from images and stories to $ell? You most certainly have " the curse of the traveller"...( can't stop travelling....what a great " disorder" to have if you can finance it?!
Check out the voluntourism advocated by Joyce Major at smilingattheworld.com and in her book "Smiling at the World". There are many ways to earn a living when traveling, staying in one place for a month or more, which also gives you a much better chance to get to know the place and the people who live there. I know, because I have done it, and I am a lot older than the lad who posted these fantastic pictures.
Load More Replies...So to answer the question ‘How much money do I need to save up before I go travelling?’ I never spend more than 10,000USD a year traveling but i have friends that do the same for 1,000USD. Could I spend less than 10,000USD a year? Yes, definitely! I make now 12.000/year. back home I was on 3000/year. that is a lot of money, mate. no envy, no nothing. that is just a fact.
So to answer the question ‘How much money do I need to save up before I go travelling?’ I never spend more than 10,000USD a year traveling but i have friends that do the same for 1,000USD. Could I spend less than 10,000USD a year? Yes, definitely! some people do not make 10.000$/year
I want to ask you a question: assuming that the money he got for travelling came from his parents, it would have been more acceptable to you if they would have given him the same amount of money for his studies at university? I don't think yours is jelousy, I think you just have small minds. There is a System of a down's song that say "When you free small minds you'll free your life", take the advice. Good luck Christian, it doesen't matter how you got the monye, you did it mate, THIS matter.
So, where did you find the money for the trip, the visas, the dslr camera, the PC and the lightroom account?
So, where did you find the money for your trip, your dslr camera, your PC and you Adobe Lightroom account?
How i wish i could travel that much- i am wonderin on how and where you get your money in travelling since you quit wverything
Awesome! I love travelling too. I wonder though, how do you find jobs in the new countries? I would be afraid not to find anything and end up without money. And how long have you stayed in most countries?
Christian ! Eg har akkurat set at din hjemmeside er blitt rekomenderet på facebook af "travel the world" (kjempe kjekt :) ) men når eg klikke på linker komme eg ikkje direkte ind på din heimaside. Og denne adgang er via bored panda :) eg kan sjå at der er folk der har spørgsmål til deg og vil gjerna henvisa til din heimaside ! Men eg kann ikkje finda linket! Og Thomas Gravdal har lagt seg (eg er hans kjæreste ;)). Ville bare gi deg et heads up! Har tagga thomas så han kan sjå at du er gone viral når han våknar! Thumbs up :)
I love that the pics showed what the Travel Brochures don't... get the real feel for out of the way countries... Would love to do the same. Good job!
I didn´t quit my job and I often help hitch hikers like you travel from one place to another. *feeling like a fool*
Well done Christian! For those of you that presume that Christian or his parents must have money for him to afford such travel, you don't get out much, do you?
Wow! These photos are incredible! Such an inspiration, I hope I can visit as many countries as you by the time I'm 27... or maybe 37 ;). www.chloetravels.com
Astonishing places. It really is something tough, but a female can manage to travel alone. This photographs are amazing. I wish to you that you travel a long time from now on, and show us more beautiful places. Have you thought about Africa or Australia?
The most expensive thing while traveling is the visa fees to alot of countries, specialy in west africa and central asia. where the visa fee can realy put you back $$$$. If you organize everything yourself, and don't pay commision to travel agency etc then traveling is cheap, very cheap. I have just spend 3weeks in Sweden and its not alot more expensive then south east asia
Load More Replies...i eat everything from Kobe beef, to noddels from street vendors. i Do like it eat good, and i do like some beers know and then. But i never visit touristy resturants, or resturants recommed by Lonely Planet/Trip Advisor, or at least not on purpose. Its just a myth thats expensive to travel, money i get from doing work here and there around the world, from farm work, bar, hostels etc.
Load More Replies...I think you should be less agressive against the people who ask you how you get the money... Your answers are very rude. You travel around the world but you don't seem to understand humans. You don't seem to understand how people can be sad just by looking these photos, and tell you that you can afford this just because you are rich. Some men are poor, ill, unhappy with their life, and you don't have to be rude just because they are too. I say, that even if you pay everything yourself, you have to have money. That is obvious. That is not jealousy. You have to be quite healthy too, and that is a chance. People who are rude to you are not necessaraly jealous of you, they are sad and frustrated by their situations. You are not the center of the world.
So it is okay for others to be rude to the author, making snide remarks and false assumptions about someone they don't even know... but it's not acceptable for him to answer factually that he earned his way? What silly nonsense. btw, is remarks are not rude at all, just a brief statement of fact in answer to a question.
Load More Replies...Impressive photos but the writing is quite preachy, the idea of it being a low budget holiday but being able to book a hotel not a hostel makes me doubt the claim that there has been no financial support especially if you own a camera that can do HD photos. Still no matter where the financial support came I am jealous of the experiences you must have had during your travels and really like the photos!
traveled the world but no humility. People have legitimate questions about how you accomplished your achievements and you lash out at them. I'm curious as well, since most countries have very strict laws about being paid to work if you're a tourist, and you're supposed to report that income to the US.
So far I haven't read anything very legitimate! I also didn't read where he said he was from the U.S.!!
Load More Replies...Must be nice to be bored, "quit ur studies" at 18 (omg I am laughing. Really??) and travel the world. Was that budget ur parents money too?
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