When my number one (and only) goal of becoming married, barefoot and pregnant by 18 didn’t pan out, I could hear a new voice declaring, “help, I need an adventure”–and a new goal!

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What do I want to be

Before you judge me–actually go ahead, I deserve it–just know, the people around me had no idea this was my only goal. I had options. I was a good student, I come from a decent family of business-minded individuals and I have all my original teeth.

Truth be told, I could never decide what it was I wanted to contribute to the island.

I was well-acquainted with local businesses, even worked for a few of them, but none of them felt like the right fit.

However, I was a part of a loving family. I knew that. That was familiar. I thought, hey, I could do this family thing full-time. Obviously, I had no idea of the physical, emotional and financial implications and I was still single–nuance.

Something in my mundane life needed to change

Let’s put it like this, if you’re from a small island or a small town or even working a tedious 9-5, then you can relate to the same old, growing old, fast.

I admit, every time I bring up this issue of boredom, I am met with opposition to which I have to bite my lip ever so slightly and not in an iconic 50 shades film series kind of way.

Yes, I am from one of the 700 islands and cays in a country which boasts in tourism, weddings, white collar crime and pink sand beaches. I love The Bahamas (that’s right, “The” not “the” Bahamas. Fun fact: We’re one of few countries whose title officially starts with article “The”).

When you’re a local though, you can eventually become too engrossed and feel far removed from the rest of the world and its issues. Loads of islanders fantasise about travelling abroad and being anonymous but many don’t do a thing about it.

Could studying abroad be my path to independence?

Remember that supportive family I mentioned? I told them I would like to study abroad in the far and distant land of Florida in the United States.

For those of you who don’t already know, Florida is a mere hour’s journey by plane from our capital city Nassau. I’m an out islander. That was a big deal at the time!

In Florida, I racked up a decent tab as an international student. After the tears, regret and culture shock, I, for the first time actually felt as if my hands were on the steering wheel. Mum was still the captain and Dad the anchor of course.

At uni, I can remember looking at all the faces I passed and thinking how different people looked, spoke and dressed there. I was surrounded by new accents, languages, food and cultures.

What Dad probably feared most had happened: I wanted to go beyond just brushing shoulders with other cultures.

I wanted to live amongst these new people and discover what I thought was missing from such a good but sheltered childhood. Everything was bigger, faster and seemingly more appealing than my simple, island life.

Four years flies though when you’ve got eyes for every other culture but your own. Maybe it was a phase but I was not ready to return home.

Having the pressure of a limited amount of time has a way of helping you to decide your next step

After I graduated, I panicked! I became a regular job seeker at the Career Centre. Over the next few months, my CV would be recklessly splattered over every search engine for job listings I knew.

I answered an ad for a dog-walking gig, I babysat a young boy with Additional Support Needs, I partied and I got my first Credit Card.

My friends even suggested I join a sugar daddy dating website! No real leads came out of any of this. I was defeated and soon-to-be-homeless. Spoiler alert: most of those sugar daddies are married with kids or salt daddies (same idea but with little to no compensation to offer).

If it wasn’t for the pressure of my parents calling me ready to book my flight home, my sister putting me up on her sofa, a boy rejecting me or couchsurfing with friends, I would’ve been on the first thing flying back to the Bahamas. There had to be something! What’s the point in trying then?

One particular low point occurred after interviewing for one of those nondescript marketing jobs where you work for months without pay then maybe you’ll earn commission if you jump through these 5 fiery hoops kind of jobs that desperate graduates apply for.

I was done. I knew it was not an ideal situation for me and I already planned to call HR to say that I would not be showing up for Act 2 of the circus act.

Deflated, I crossed the street towards a trendy apartment complex, trying to figure out how I’ll explain this dud of an interview to my impatient host. As I entered the stylish doors I was met with floors and counters I could see my reflection in.

I didn’t look half bad. I was dressed professionally, made-up and still not downtrodden enough by life in order to fit the yuppie profile it seemed they were looking for. I told them I would be working across the street in marketing and I’d need a place to live very soon. I asked them what was the best accommodation they could offer me.

Well, she passed me on to him who led me to wait for another him and then the tour commenced. First, the showroom to really whet your appetite and then the blank canvas of an unfurnished flat which could be all mine. I made up some excuse, grabbed a pamphlet which he quickly scribbled his extension on and then I coolly made my way through the glass doors before I left fingerprints anywhere.

Show’s over. I’m going home.

Adventure is calling. Literally.

I dramatically sobbed into my luggage as I packed that night and prepared my speech to my host, making sure that I didn’t sound like too much of a quitter.

It was obvious I was upset when I rejoined them in the sitting room. Picking up on this, someone suggested we engage in a bit of retail therapy at the weekend. Sadly, this became the only item on my to-do list.

I was the grumpiest shopper the clerks had probably seen all day. If it wasn’t for a phone call from a friend, they would have probably come over to check on me. Some Americans are friendly that way.

It was a girl I’d gone to uni with. We were in different years but we shared the same social group at one time. She had something for me–a volunteering opportunity in California.

It would allow me to volunteer and travel at the same time and accommodation and food would be provided. In addition to it being a volunteer abroad programme, I could defer my student loans (I know, I know, it still accrues interest) and eventually receive financial support to make payments on my loans!

It sounded too good to be true! Oh, by the way, she ended the call by mentioning there were no more spots left.

Regardless, she thought I should apply anyway and agree to be wait-listed. Wait-listing lasted 24 hours. One of the volunteers decided the programme was not for them and returned home within weeks. Before I knew it, I was on a one-way flight to California on credit to start an international journey which has lasted for nearly 6 years now!

There’s an opportunity out there for you

I’m not saying that you need to be discontent with where you’re from or ungrateful in order to qualify for an adventure. Not every person on a small island or in a small town wants to leave. In fact, I admire those that are integrated into their communities and have a strong sense of one place being their home.

However, if there is some small part of you that wants more than what you’ve experienced, a change in location or lifestyle, then I have just the tips for you. I did it the hard way because I didn’t know where to look or what I was even searching for.

It’s good to Google programmes, go job hunting and keep your ear to the ground for new opportunities. Sometimes it just takes receiving a call on a bad day to send you 3,687 km (2,291m) away from the usual.

WARNING: You are required to step out of your comfort zone!

I’ll go into more detail of this seemingly-too-good-to-be-true international volunteering programme very soon! I was not kidding before either: accommodation, food and a shared vehicle are provided.

Watch this space and you’ll have all my tried and tested travel tips soon enough.

Happy browsing,

B the travelling ms xx