When we think of business travel, our immediate thought may be of overnight trips interstate or perhaps a week long international stint. But for thousands of women each year, a business trip involves being away for home for much longer, and often, travelling alone on these extended stays. This situation is one that occurs more often than you may think – particularly for contract-based IT, financial services, or consulting staff who may be required to temporarily base themselves in another city for three or six months at a time. The excitement of a short term trip interstate is quite different to the apprehension that you may feel about temporarily relocating to another city.
So what can women travelling alone do to make the experience one that they will look back on with fond memories, rather than spending the time wishing to be back at home?
I’ve seen many savvy travellers over the years, some who crumbled under the pressure of being far from familiarity and many who made the most of their time in a foreign city. Embracing the change of scenery is very important to your temporary relocation experience. For many women, travelling alone in another city away from family and friends for extended periods of time can bring mixed feelings. Weekdays are typically busy, but it’s in the evenings and weekends when you may feel at a loose end, with familiar routines and the comfort of family and friends all of a sudden not readily available. I strongly believe that the best strategy is to blend familiar experiences with new ones in your temporary location. Do simple things to personalise your apartment so that it feels like your own space. At the same time, enjoy the opportunity to discover a new city intimately, knowing that you’ll be back home faster than you know it.
My Top Tips for Women Travelling Alone on Extended Stay Travel:
- Live like a local and explore your temporary city – visit the weekend markets, cafes and parks.
- If you are staying in corporate housing style accommodation, get to know your Building Manager who can be a create source of local knowledge. He/she may even be able to introduce you to other temporary residents in the building.
- Stock your fridge and pantry with the same foods that you would cook and eat at home.
- Many apartments now offer iPod docking stations, so play your favourite music during the evenings and weekends.
- Utilise technology to keep in touch with family and friends with tools such as Skype, and ensure that your apartment has WIFI.
- Take some easily portable items from home, such as framed photos in magnetic covers to pop on the fridge door – little touches will help your living space feel more like home.
- Exercise – most modern apartment complexes have a heated pool and gym facilities on-site which are provided free of charge for residents. Make the most of the opportunity to exercise when it suits you, without hefty gym membership fees. An endorphin rush may also be exactly what your body needs if you are feeling homesick.
- Play “host” to family and friends by inviting them to visit you – you’ll be surprised by how much fun it is to show them around “your city”.
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