In retrospect, I consider myself incredibly lucky for the opportunity to study and live abroad at the age of 17. I grew up in a protective middle class family in the small bubble town of Dehradun. In search of my independence, I applied to and got accepted in a university abroad, and flew away with a big study loan and bigger dreams.

I remember being extremely nervous about traveling out of the country all by myself. There are too many myths circulated among Indian families, and after years of traveling, I hope to simplify it for you:

1) How to choose your first foreign destination? 

It’s a pretty amazing feeling to look at the world map and pick where to go. Photo by Riccardo Cambiassi

My advice: Don’t follow the crowds.

I’ve met many travelers who swarm to museums abroad just because everyone else does, even though they don’t particularly enjoy art or…