Kayla goes to London & Paris with Travengers AU
Kayla Sheridan is an autistic traveller and advocate. In 2023 she travelled with Travengers and a group of like-minded young adults to London & Paris.
This was her first time travelling overseas without family members.
Kayla Sheridan in Paris
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background in travelling?
I’m friendly, bubbly and have an outgoing personality. My reason for travelling is that I would like to experience different things and going to see new places.
How did you feel when you first found out about the trip to London and Paris?
When I first went to Paris and London, I felt so happy and excited to be going there, these places have been on my bucket lists.
What were your main concerns or worries before the trip?
My main concerns or worries before the trip was that it was going overseas for the first time without my family and friends, I wasn’t sure how I was going to cope in a new environment.
What was it like travelling with a group of young autistic adults? How did it feel to have support along the way?
I really enjoyed travelling with other Autistic adults because I knew that I wasn’t alone with needing some support, and I’ve made some amazing lifelong friends.
Can you share some highlights of your trip? What were your favourite moments of the trip in London and Paris?
My favourite moments of going to London would have to probably doing a lot of sightseeing, especially seeing the Tower Bridge and Big Ben. My favourite moments in Paris would probably be seeing the Eiffel Tower and going to Disneyland.
Did you experience any challenges you believe may have been specific to you as an autistic traveller? If so, how did you overcome them?
My biggest challenge was probably within the language barrier, especially when the security came on the train in Paris to check with our travel tickets. I overcame my fear and challenges was with a lot of reassurances that I’m okay and the Support Guides were always there to help me.
Did the trip help you gain any new skills or independence? If so, can you give some examples?
The trip has helped me a lot with new skills and independence, especially that I felt that I can go travelling with new people and having the confidence to learn new things.
How did you feel about the trip after returning home? Did it change your perspective on travel or yourself?
I felt like I didn’t ever want the trip to end. But it has definitely changed a lot of my perspective on travelling, and I just wanted to go and travel more.
Now, Kayla is abut to go on her next Travengers adventure, to New York and Florida!
Make sure to follow Kayla on Instagram stories and updates on Instagram @sunshines_n_happiness and @Kayla_m_sheridan
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