We interviewed Travengers’ group member John about his experience travelling overseas with Travengers. Learn about his journey to New York and Florida with a group of like-minded people and Support Guides!
John, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background in travelling?
I would describe myself as someone who is naturally inquisitive and curious and loves to learn and keep myself up to the latest trends. Prior to this trip, I hadn’t travelled internationally for 16 years for personal reasons and thought that this would respark my interest.
How did you feel when you first found out about the trip to New York and Florida?
When I first found out about the trip to New York and Florida, I thought that it was a good opportunity, as it was always a dream of mine to visit New York considering that’s where a lot of Movies and TV series got filmed.
What were your main concerns or worries before the trip?
My main concerns prior to the trip were mostly around safety as well as experiencing the difference in culture despite USA being an English-speaking country
What was it like travelling with a group of young autistic adults? How did it feel to have support along the way?
It was great travelling with a group of young adults on the spectrum, as I felt we were all in the same boat. The support was an added bonus.
Can you share some highlights of your trip? What were your favourite moments of the trip in New York and Florida?
I personally think my favourite moments of the trip would’ve been either the Broadway Show (Harry Potter and the cursed child) in New York or Empire State
Building or visiting Times Square at night. Universal Studios was my favourite theme park in Orlando, especially the Harry Potter replica, as it was replicated from the movies so well and in such great detail.
Did you experience any challenges you believe may have been specific to you as an autistic traveller? If so, how did you overcome them?
I personally believe the biggest barrier was understanding how different the American culture is despite the fact that they were an English-speaking country (particularly around tipping), as I felt it was difficult for me to navigate these issues on my own. Also, adapting to the weather was a big issue I personally faced, as the weather in the US was on the other end of the weather spectrum compared to back home in Australia. I overcame these issues with the help primarily of the support workers, who gave great guidance regarding tipping and assisted us whenever we needed it.
Did the trip help you gain any new skills or independence? If so, can you give some examples?
This trip has helped me understand how to hack queues at the airport as well as the airport boarding process at the international terminal. Also helped me navigate a new city as well as how they drive in the new city as well as how pedestrian crossings work in a different city. Also, it helped me become more independent, especially when we went shopping at Walmart and where to seek help when you need it.
How did you feel about the trip after returning home? Did it change your perspective on travel or yourself?
I felt sad returning home, as I felt that the trip wasn’t long enough as it was so hard to say goodbye to something so meaningful. It absolutely changed my perspective on travel and by myself, as it gave me good insight as to how other people live and their perspectives on life.
What advice would you give to other autistic travellers who are wanting to take the leap and go on a trip abroad, but may be worried?
Do it and don’t think twice about it if you got the chance. If I could turn back time, I would spend more time travelling because travelling teaches us so much about the world and can’t be taught in any textbook as the real learning takes place when you’re actually there. More importantly, it will make you a more social person, and you will be sharing your adventures with other people with a broader view on life and the world around you. Sure, people will share stories of their adventures, and you may come across information from the internet or from the media, but you will realise what it’s actually like when you’re actually there in that new city/town that you got yourself lost in because you didn’t happen to know where you were going.
Any final thoughts or reflections on your journey that you’d like to share?
This was such a great privilege for me to be a part of this trip as I got to meet so many amazing people and got to chat to U.S. locals every now and then who gave us their insights and perspectives on the U.S. If I could do it all over again, I would do it in a heartbeat. Who could’ve thought that spending 2 weeks with people who you only met for the first time ever would lead to you becoming so close to them at the end of the trip?
