Column | Is group travel worth it? | Columnists Abroad | Opinion

From an early age, we learn the importance of traveling in pairs, or at the very least, not traveling alone.

This principle also applies to students studying abroad and exploring new countries. More often than not, traveling internationally allows traveling with a larger group of people.

There are benefits to traveling in a larger group, like six to seven people. Despite these advantages, some conflicts may arise.

So, let’s break it down.

Pro: Safety in numbers

It’s always more comfortable to travel with at least one other person. You have another set of eyes and hands to help out with any challenge that may come your way.

More than that, you can bounce ideas off one another and foster relationships. Traveling has a way of bringing people together.

Pro: Less planning stress

When all of the plans rest on your shoulders, you can feel stressed and pressured to ensure everything goes smoothly or that you satisfy everyone’s interests.

With other people traveling alongside you, it’s sometimes beneficial to split up the tasks, with everyone taking accountability for a small portion of the trip. This can also help make sure everyone experiences their interests while still contributing to the group’s adventures.

Pro: More social interaction

Of course, there will be more social interaction when traveling in a larger group.

For those who would classify themselves as social butterflies, well, this is most certainly an environment in which you would thrive. But, if you’re someone whose social battery runs out very quickly, perhaps traveling with a large group of individuals isn’t the most ideal way to explore new destinations.

Pro: Cost savings

As a college student studying abroad, you’re always looking for ways to save as much money as possible.

Traveling in a group is a key way to achieve that goal. By splitting on housing, food, drinks and other experiences, traveling in a group setting can be the best solution to preserving your wallet’s worth.

Con: Different interests/slower decision-making

I’ve stood in a circle with my travel buddies for a good five minutes trying to determine what location we want to go to or how long we should stay in one location at a time — and possibly the most time-consuming decision — where to eat dinner.

Everyone has their ideas on how they want to spend their time, what food they’re in the mood for or what experiences they want to participate in. It may take some time for everyone to reach a compromise and agree on the best solution that serves everyone’s interests.

Con: Personality clashes

Naturally, studying abroad will expose you to people from all over the world, introducing you to diverse cultures, perspectives and values. Putting all those personality attributes into one car for a road trip may generate some tension here and there.

Keep in mind that we’re adults at this point. It’s essential to respect everyone’s differences and set aside tensions to ensure the trip is enjoyable for all.

Con: Limited privacy

With six people roaming the same Airbnb, sharing a bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, living room or whatever housing circumstance leaves little room for personal space and privacy. It can be challenging to find a peaceful and quiet place for yourself for an extended time without footsteps crossing through your bubble.

The key is to find a balance — embracing the shared experiences while respecting individuality at the same time. Each student’s study abroad experience is different, but at the end of the day, traveling and studying abroad as a college student is all about learning, growing and enjoying the journey with the people around you, no matter how many of them there are.

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