At 21, She Packed a Bag and Left the Country. She’s Slept in a Different Bed Every Night Since (Exclusive)

Full-Time Nomad Shares Her Adventures Around the World Post-Graduation (Exclusive)

Talia Schreiber is a recent graduate from UC Santa Barbara who decided to embark on a full-time solo travel journey instead of pursuing a traditional career. Inspired by a TikTok video and her passion for adventure, Schreiber has been exploring the world on a budget of around $900 a month, utilising tactics like volunteering, hitchhiking, and couch surfing to stay safe while following her instincts.

At just 21 years old, Schreiber packed a single bag and left behind her home country of the USA to travel to five different countries in just three months. Despite holding a degree in economics, Schreiber found that the real-world experience of travelling surpassed anything she learned in the classroom. Her journey began after seeing a TikTok video of a woman solo travelling in Mexico when she was feeling unwell and unhappy during her freshman year of college.

Having no prior experience with solo travel, Schreiber took a leap of faith and booked a trip to Puerto Escadillo, Mexico, during her spring break. This initial experience opened her eyes to a whole new world of possibilities, sparking a deep love for travel that led her to explore various destinations during her university breaks. Schreiber worked multiple jobs and saved diligently to fund her travels, forsaking the comforts of home for the thrill of adventure.

In February, Schreiber set off on her full-time travel adventure, beginning in Brazil before moving on to countries like Colombia, England, Morocco, and Portugal. She now describes herself as a “full-time nomad” with no fixed base, constantly moving from one location to another every few weeks. Despite the unconventional nature of her lifestyle, Schreiber has managed to keep her monthly expenses under $900 through careful budgeting and utilising cost-saving strategies.

While many may perceive her lifestyle as glamorous, Schreiber emphasises the challenges of travelling solo with minimal resources, often sleeping in unconventional places like beaches and forests to save money on accommodation. She has mastered the art of finding shelter in unique locations, using strategies like inflatable sleeping pads and couch surfing to ensure a comfortable and safe night’s rest.

Schreiber’s resourcefulness extends to her approach to food and transportation, with a focus on budget-friendly options like street food and hitchhiking. She also engages in volunteer work at hostels in exchange for accommodation, highlighting the community-driven aspect of her travel experiences. Through her social media platforms and travel business, Go Granola, Schreiber aims to inspire others to embrace the spirit of adventure and explore the world as she has done.

Despite the inherent risks of solo travel, particularly as a young woman in unfamiliar territories, Schreiber prioritises safety while maintaining a sense of independence and trust in her instincts. She credits her ability to navigate the challenges of travel to her willingness to ask for help when needed and her faith in the kindness of strangers she encounters along the way.

Looking ahead, Schreiber remains open to the opportunities that her nomadic lifestyle presents, with a keen interest in discovering a place that feels like home while continuing to explore the world. Her unconventional journey serves as a testament to the power of following one’s passion and embracing the unknown with courage and curiosity.