It was an eye-opening experience that I could finally use all my knowledges and experiences in the pursuit of my dream.

Hi Jinhong, thank you for coming forward to talk about your experience as a solo female traveler in New York!

The goal of this interview is to give women a real and honest insight into what it is to travel solo as a female in New York, your testimonial will inspire other women who were hesitant to take their first step and think “hey if she did it, I can to it too!”

• What if we started by telling us a bit about yourself?
  Hi! I am Jinhong from South Korea. I am currently studying at Lyon, France, as an exchange student. I like to travel around the world, and I wish that my experiences can be helpful to make the world better.
• What made you decide to visit New York solo?
  I went there for an internship. Well, I wanted to make an excuse to live in New York frankly saying haha. So, I applied for a short internship position so that I could be there for 6 weeks and visit so many amazing places!
• If you could describe New York in one word, what would it be?
  Rule.
• Could you elaborate?
  It was one of my first experience alone in the international society (I know it is quite a grand naming). So, I was anxious when the journey has just started and completely overwhelmed by the rule of New York as an outsider of the society. But after visiting “The Museum of the American Indian” it taught me the importance of keeping a root and my own rule of life. Even though how hard the society want to push back your own identity with their rules. After that, all the buildings that felt like looking me down suddenly felt like full of opportunities for me. Haha.

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• Do you think that travelling changes us?
  Definitely!

• If so, what changed in you after your visit to New York?
  It was an eye-opening experience that I could finally use all my knowledges and experiences in the pursuit of my dream. After I learned that I do not have to feel depressed with the existing rules of NY, I could be more confident of myself being Asian, Korean and not a member of major population there. And it was a great founding experience for me when I came to Lyon.

• What is the best or worst memory you keep of New York?
  As mentioned, the best memory was when I could change attitude toward NY. However, the best scenery that made my heart bump was a “top of the rock” observatory in the Rockefeller Centre. I went there before the sundown and stayed there until it completely became dark. I looked around with telescope with 0.5$ and it was definitely the best that less then a dollar can offer me! The picture there is still my background photo of my phone, I pad and laptop !
• Well the worst memory can be personal, but I was frauded by the landlord. Well she never returned me my deposit so… my 750$ was stolen. (anyone who read this, please do not believe people with out contract. Haha) And the high overall price was also one of the big NO there. I calculated recently and found out that the cost of 5 months in Lyon and 6 weeks in NY is almost the same. (Well, NY was before the pandemic so that I could travel around more and now I am not.)

• Do you think New York is better experienced solo or accompanied?
  NY is not a bad place of the solo travel. Except for the cases that I felt sorry for my family that I could not share those beautiful moments together, haha.

• Having been to New York, what do you think are the "Must take with you" items?
  Well the small things like nail clipper, underwear and socks are important. Those things cost so much, so think carefully and bring all those things. ( I was so busy when I had to pack so that I could not put everything in and I spent so much money on those items. Haha

• Do you have any advice for our fellow NomadHers?
  Traveling is fun and meaningful when you open your heart fully on your journey. Please prepare sufficiently before you travel and enjoy as much as you can!

• As a solo female traveler, what do you expect to get out of your travels?
  Well the biggest goal for me was to prove myself that I contribute to make the world better, (as I went there as an intern.) And I wanted to get some insights about problems and their solutions in the international society. However, the goals differ according to the style of the travel and they completely depend on my decisions. For example, for short trips after exams I would prefer having enough time to enjoy the atmosphere and eat delicious/ traditional foods.

• What would you say to NomadHers who would like to visit this destination?
  Please don’t be afraid of traveling and confronting the beauty of New York! It is one of the best cities full of opportunity.

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