“Traveling definitely broadened my vision and I always find that traveling alone is the best remedy for me to retrieve my confidence and strength.”

Travelling to big cities can be scary. They can be overwhelming, impersonal, and hard to navigate. And safety is an issue that always comes to mind. This can happen when visiting a big city in our own country, so imagine what it could be like to go to a foreign country: you don’t know the culture, you don’t speak the language, and you don’t know anybody there.

That’s why we are interviewing NomadHers who have taken solo trips... and come back empowered. Reading real experiences from real people can provide great insight into what travelling solo is really like, and reassure you that yes, you can do it too! So let’s dive right in.

Today we meet Angeline, the founder of the women empowerment platform SheASK, who, a few years ago, got on a solo trip to Seoul, in South Korea. She eventually ended up living there for a few years and went on many trips around the country.

We decided to ask her a few questions to learn about her experience, and we want to share the answers with you! Spoiler: it’s always about the people :)

Now pack your imaginary suitcase and let Angeline take you to Seoul with her!

• What if we started by telling us a bit about yourself?
  Hi, I’m Angeline from Malaysia and I have been living in Singapore and South Korea for work. I am the founder of SheASK and I love to travel alone most of the time. When I travel alone, my best travel buddies are camera, books and dessert!
• What made you decide to visit Seoul solo?
  For vacation and to visit my Korean friends who I’d never met before.
• If you could describe Seoul in one word, what would it be?
  Magical
• Could you elaborate, why was it magical?
  The experience traveling and living in Korea was magical to me because almost all of the people that I met in Korea are very helpful and kind even a few of them couldn’t speak in English but they would still try their best to help me. I remember I cried on the plane when I leave Korea after my first solo trip to there because the experience traveling in Seoul was so warm to me although it was very cold in the weather.

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• Do you think that travelling changes us? If so, what changed in you after your visit to Seoul?
  Yes, traveling definitely broaden my vision and I always find that traveling alone is the best remedy for me to retrieve my confidence and strength.

• What is the best or worst memory you keep of this destination?
  Best memory was meeting my friends and experience the scene of having fried chicken and beer just like in dramas. Worst memory was pushed and scolded by a drunk old man.
• Do you think Seoul is better-experienced solo or accompanied?
  Although I’m a solo traveler but I think travel to Seoul is good to have companion because most of the delicious and signature Korean food is pretty big portion and couldn’t be finished alone. It depends on the type of the journey.
• Having been to Seoul, what do you say are the "Must take with you" items?
  Medicine because it could be quite hard to explain in a foreign language when you are sick.

• Do you have any advice for our fellow NomadHers?
  As foreigners do not understand Korean language and it could be difficult to get right medicine without going to hospital. It is best to bring your own medicine in case you get sick.

• As a solo female traveler, what do you expect to get out of your travels?
  Happy memories, understanding of the culture and experience of the locals.

• What would you say to NomadHers who would like to visit this destination?
  Try not to follow too much of bloggers’ and influencers’ advice on where to dine in. Sometimes it was just for commercial purpose and local small shops taste much better and much more authentic. I would recommend to ask your Korean friends for recommendations or Korean solo travelers in Nomadher app! :)

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