I’m Danni from 10 different countries- or that’s the dream! Actually, I’m currently in country number 8 (Australia), but I swear I will get to the finish line. I’ve been travelling for over a decade now, it doesn’t feel like that long!
When will you stop travelling?
You might think there was a definite end in mind, but 10 is just a number and my heart longs to keep on travelling after that is done. Don’t tell my long-suffering mum though!
Growing up in a small village, I was desperate to spread my wings by 17 and a half. I immediately enrolled on the challenging Cambridge ESL qualification and days after my 18th birthday got on a plane to Peru, having lucked into a teaching job there. I cried when the plane took off, but it was incredible.
Why travel?
Travelling makes me feel alive and I see it as an escape from daily drudgery- OK you might need to work 40 hours a week but can you do it from a mountain in Bolivia, or beside the river in Paris? How alive could you feel if you did that?! Not only this, but the curiosity and challenge of learning about other cultures, and other languages. I’ve loved taking language classes in every country that I’ve lived in, and it really helps you get under the skin of your new community.
What about the downsides?
I have come to hate the wrench of losing amazing people and of goodbyes. Many people leave you with happy memories and that’s enough, but there are some you truly don’t want to lose when it’s time to leave. I think my style of long term/living travelling has a lot to do with this but I’m happy to say there are some friendships that have really stood the test of distance.
Why Live in 10 Countries?
There’s really a sense of longing to experience a place for at least a year, to see the seasons change, to participate in local festivals, to bite the bullet and fit in. Don’t get me wrong, I love being a tourist and regularly blog about short term holidays and accessible day out trips for anyone with a stable job, but I do think the experience of living abroad is amazing. Ideally, everyone should live abroad at least once and studying abroad is a great way to do it. Googling hasn’t brought up anyone in a similar journey to mine, but if you’re out there please say hello! If you want to join and try your own new life abroad, that would mean the world to me. Everyone wants to know ‘how can I afford to travel?’ and that’s what this blog aims to answer.
I explained my need to travel to my family by saying, ‘When I’m 90 I want to be able to say that I did something real that made me feel truly alive at least once in my life’. That’s pretty much how the idea behind my blog started. It was just a crazy dream for several years before I got up the courage to actually articulate it. I just sort of packed my bags and instead of coming home, moved to the next country. People often ask, ‘why 10?’ and the answer is that this seemed to my teenage brain to feel like I had truly experienced the world. Of course more will be better!
If you like then you shoulda put a pin on it!
How can I afford to travel, and how do you?
My blog focuses really on the nuts and bolts of exactly how to travel long term. By that I mean, sharing the opportunities, projects, jobs and other ways to make it happen. I think that people really overestimate how difficult it is to live abroad and make a small living, so I want to give them that confidence and conviction! One big tip is to use the website meetup.com to find instant friends interested in things that you like (cinema, art, international food- the list is endless) wherever you’re going. Even if you’re just staying a short while, there’ll be a meetup keen to have you and most are free or very low cost.
Leave a comment and let me know your answer to the question so often asked: how can I afford to travel?
Special thanks to Madeleine for allowing me to use her fabulous travelling ship tattoo on social media, she has the true spirit of a traveller. Be sure to follow her Insta here.
A small town girl on a mission to live in 10 different countries before she pops her clogs, Danni began travelling with a job in Peru at the age of 18. Now an expert in living and working abroad, she shares all the tips and tricks you need to get started.
It’s a beautiful thing that you’re doing. Living a life of adventure and experience and finding a niche all of your own. Thanks for sharing your visions and unique lifestyle!
I think that is so great that you have created an achievable goal and making all these wonderful memories around the world. What an admirable thing to choose to do, and at such a young age. I applaud you and wish you luck achieving the 10 and many more if you so choose.
Wonderfull that you are following your dream. I also think that living somewhere is a much better experience than just visiting a place. I’d love to try your goal one day – So far I’ve lived in 4 countries.
I just love this, I definitely want to live abroad at some point in the next 10 years.. at the minute I am in college getting my degree but once I have that I will be off on all the adventures I can squeeze into my life! I am so glad I stumbled across your blog, it is really lovely and I hope you keep up your amazing work! x
Wow 8 countries is so amazing! I lived 2 years in Australia – so expensive but so worth it
This is an amazing story! Cudos for being so adventurous and brave, Keep it up!
Great post. We get asked these questions too. I also love Meet Up and use Expat boards on Facebook to meet people and find housing.
It’s a beautiful thing that you’re doing. Living a life of adventure and experience and finding a niche all of your own. Thanks for sharing your visions and unique lifestyle!
I think that is so great that you have created an achievable goal and making all these wonderful memories around the world. What an admirable thing to choose to do, and at such a young age. I applaud you and wish you luck achieving the 10 and many more if you so choose.
I play tennis and find that playing sports can be a great way to meet people in new places as well.
Wonderfull that you are following your dream. I also think that living somewhere is a much better experience than just visiting a place. I’d love to try your goal one day – So far I’ve lived in 4 countries.
I just love this, I definitely want to live abroad at some point in the next 10 years.. at the minute I am in college getting my degree but once I have that I will be off on all the adventures I can squeeze into my life! I am so glad I stumbled across your blog, it is really lovely and I hope you keep up your amazing work! x