For instance, even if you know that you want to visit California, you can narrow down your trip to visiting San Francisco and San Jose. If you and your friends disagree on where to go, try to reach a consensus. If your parents pick up on the fact that you and your friends have different thoughts about the trip, they will be less likely to give their permission.
Check in with your friends about their schedules and coordinate a time that works best for everyone.
For example, one day in your schedule could be: “Monday, September 12: 3rd day in Mexico City. Visit the Anthropology Museum and the Casa Azul. Eat dinner downtown. ” Hear your friends out and compromise when you are planning your activities.
Don’t actually buy any tickets, just write down how much a ticket would cost.
Aim to be economical, but don’t stay somewhere that isn’t reputable just because it’s cheap.
Adding a little extra money to your budget in case of emergencies will help show your parents that you are responsible and thinking ahead. This may help convince them to let you go.
This will show your parents how much thought you put into your trip as well as give them an idea of the sorts of things you will be doing. This may help reassure them.
If they’ve never met your friends, have your friends over for dinner and introduce them first. After that, have them come over a few times. Your parents can’t help but worry about you. They will be more likely to let you travel with someone they know rather than someone they don’t know at all.
It may be best to talk to your parents alone instead of with your friends. Especially if your parents don’t know your friends very well, they may feel more comfortable and willing to agree to the plan if they are talking just with you.
You could say something like, “I really want to go to Spain because I’ve always been curious about my Spanish heritage, and I also want to actually use the Spanish that I’ve learned. ”
You want your plan to appear as ordered and thought-out as you can, so present it chronologically instead of skipping around. Make sure that you mention why each activity you are doing is enriching or beneficial.
If your parents are financially-conscious, you could even add that you are willing to work or do chores in order to earn money for your trip.
This will show your parents that you still value their opinion. This is a sign of maturity. As a result, they may be more likely to agree to your trip. If your parents are not on board with your idea, be prepared to make a few compromises in order to arrive at an agreement.
If you have enough money saved up, you offer to pay for a portion of the trip, which will help save your parents money. If you have a lot of money saved up, offer to pay for the whole trip. You can also suggest postponing the date of the trip so that you can save up money in the meantime.
Letting your parents know where you will be at all times may help reassure them and set their minds at ease.
If you are travelling internationally, see if you can use your phone in the country you’re visiting or if you can rent a phone. Tell your parents that you will call or text them every morning (to share your plans for the day) and every night (to let them know that you are safely back to the hotel or hostel).
Make sure that this older friend or sibling is mature. Just because someone is physically older than you does not always mean that they are more mature and responsible.
Videos of the city or country work well, because they can give your parents some idea of what the place is actually like. If you absolutely cannot get them to embrace the place you want to visit, you may have to think about changing your plans to another destination.
For example, you can all have dinner at a pizza restaurant, and talk over your plans there. Try to choose a relaxed environment to minimize stress and miscommunication.
