I am a solo female traveler and I would absolutely love the opportunity to write for your website. Here is some info about me -
My name is Emma Starr I am a 24 year old American currently living in Berlin, Germany. I believe it is extremely important, and gratifying, to travel alone as a female. I think that putting yourself in situations that are outside of your comfort zone test you, and can help you grow. When you have no one to rely on besides yourself, you have the opportunity to evolve as a person.
I think I have qualities that could set me contribute to your site. I am extremely ambitious, adventurous, and active. I have an endless need to keep moving, to keep exploring, to keep learning.
I went to George Mason University and played Division I soccer for 4 years. After my senior season, I knew I wanted to do something different. I had always been active, and had traveled to Europe previously with my family for various hiking trips. So I decided to make the jump to England, to coach at a soccer development academy for an internship and pursue my dream of playing soccer after college. I would spend the week coaching and playing soccer, and then spend the weekends taking the train to the Peak District and peak-bagging until I couldn’t walk anymore. After my internship was complete, I moved down towards London, and played on Watford Ladies team, while conquering the mountains in the Lake District.
Once my visa expired, I made the decision to move back to the US; but not move back home. I moved across country to Portland, Oregon, where I fell in love. I had the ability to wake up early, drive to the Columbia River Gorge, and do a 4 hour hike before work at 12. I could leave work, drive to Mt. Hood, and night-hike Mirror Lake. I Airbnb-ed my tiny studio apartment for some extra money, meaning I was free to travel on those nights. I would drive up to the mountains, whether it be Olympic National Forest, Mt. Rainier, or along the Oregon Coast, and I would sleep in my car by a trailhead, waking up at dawn to explore and climb. The ability and freedom to do this on my own is exhilarating.
I loved my life in Portland, but I’m still only 24. I’m in the mindset that I want to explore and see as much as possible, and continue my soccer career while I’m still young. So, despite loving the city, I looked at teams abroad. My answer came in the form of Galway United in Galway, Ireland. I had been to Ireland twice before, once on my own, and I loved it. I immediately applied for the working holiday visa, and it all worked out seamlessly; something I didn’t have the luxury of in England. 3 months later, I departed Portland, stopping at Iceland on my way over. Iceland is a paradoxical country, having a glacier on one side of the infamous Ring Road, while having a hot spring on the other side. It is incredible, and an other-wordly country. I have been to Iceland three times on my own, renting a car and sleeping in it each time. I wouldn’t have it any other way; the freedom to drive endlessly and sleep as little as possible is fantastic. After leaving Iceland, I landed in Dublin, Ireland. My stream of luck continued; I met the coach, found a job, secured an apartment, and met my new team all within 10 days.
While living in Ireland, I didn’t have a car. So I would spend my days off from work, or weekends, taking my bike on the bus out to Connemara, down the coast towards Dingle, or up the coast towards Westport. I would have the bus drop me off as close as it could get to the mountain I wanted to climb, and then I would cycle the rest of the way. It was tiring, but made for very close relationships with all of the bus drivers.
After a year that seemed to fly by, I chose to leave Ireland. I am looking to join a team in January of 2019, but for now am spending the month in Berlin, with my brother. Next month I am going to the Slovenian Alps, but am stagnant for a month now.
Travel isn’t just a part of my life; it is my life. I can’t imagine being on this world without exploring it. Adventure makes everyone feel alive, whether that’s meeting new people, climbing a mountain, or sitting in a coffee shop in a foreign country writing a travel blog.
I’m lucky enough to say I’ve done all three this week.
I have read, and love, your website. I'd be honored to be able to write some articles.
Thank you for your time,
Emma Starr
