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Building Lasting Friendships Through Shared Adventures

By Jetta Allen

When you step outside your comfort zone with others, something magical happens. As the saying goes, you never truly know someone until you travel with them – and there's profound truth in this wisdom. Drawing from my travels with friends, let me share why these adventures create some of our strongest bonds.

Something about facing new things together breaks down barriers and creates authentic connections between friends. In The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins says, “I’m going on an adventure!” When he said this, he didn’t know that adventures with friends and family are usually the most memorable! You step into the unknown together, sharing thoughts of the journey, and overcoming challenges together. Facing these challenges together builds trust in ways that regular social interactions rarely do. The more trust and learning involved, the more invested we all get in each other as people. Whether it's trying local foods, attempting to communicate in a new language, or participating in unexpected local festivals, these become stories you'll tell for years to come.

Jetta and her friend Laura explore antiques and art in Insadong.

The power of shared adventures lies in their ability to create what psychologists call "peak experiences" - those memorable moments in our life story. You are creating a core memory that might be one of the best moments during your time in Korea. It may stand out above all others when you look back on your time here. This unique narrative becomes part of your friendship's foundation allowing you to continue to build on it, wherever you may go.

And while it's tempting to pack your itinerary with endless sightseeing, the most meaningful moments often happen between destinations. It's the laughter over a failed attempt to have all your supplies or phone chargers, picking out the fun snacks or giant ramen packs at the GS25, or maybe it's the search for the yummy pork cutlet that stands out. For me, it is often the conversations in the car along the way that truly cement friendships.

Christie, Mini, Jetta, and Robyn at Incheon Airport ready to board a plane to Bali for a Girls ‘24 Trip.

Memories were made at the local theatre as Carolyn and Jetta saw the Barbie Movie.

How to Balance Sightseeing with Relationship Building: The Art of Meaningful Travel

Treating life as an extended holiday often makes building the community you need difficult. Travel isn’t just about the destinations, it is about memories. Here's how to strike that perfect balance between exploring new places and nurturing meaningful connections through travel-forged friendships.

Create a "Two-Track" Itinerary

Active Exploration Time:
- Dedicate specific hours for sightseeing
- Plan your itinerary together so all interests are incorporated into your plans
- Leave room for spontaneous decisions
Connection Time:
- Reserve quieter moments for deeper conversations
- Plan regular meals together during the trip
- Don’t forget to plan down time too

The Power of Regular Spots

Find a "home base" café or restaurant to return to regularly where it feels like “home”
Create familiar touchstones in new places, like a new favorite shop or park

Quality Over Quantity

Start with small local adventures, expanding to half-day or overnight journeys
Instead of rushing to see everything, choose fewer destinations but explore them deeply
Combine high-energy sightseeing with relaxed activities, allowing time for organic conversations
Plan down days if going for more than a day trip

Practice Mindful Travel

Be present in the moment
Listen to each other's needs
Adjust plans based on group energy

Making Memories That Last

Focus on taking time to process experiences together
Documenting your journey together
Share photos and memories from your trips by creating a photo book together
Create traditions that remind you of your travels
Schedule regular meals back home and pick a cuisine had on your trips for a special touch
Start planning the next adventure together

The Humphreys United Club luncheons helped Jetta meet some of her best friends like Robyn!

Yeonmisan Nature Art Park with Jam and Laura.

Travel friends are special because they've seen you at your most vulnerable and adventurous. They've witnessed your reaction to flight delays, your joy at discovering hidden gems, and your resilience in navigating unfamiliar territories. They have seen you without make-up or your creature comforts. Maybe they helped you through a panic attack or you’ve helped a friend through a food allergy that resulted in an Epi-pen to the leg (true story). All of these moments surpass regular friendships because, through all of this, we still choose to be close companions in life.

If someone is far from home and needs help, the military community will always show up. We are all far from our homes, but time with friends offers emotional support during homesickness and helps solve life’s practical problems because you have given yourself permission to breathe and take a moment to yourself. Now that you are in Korea, do you have a travel friend? If not, what is stopping you? Maybe you don’t know where to start, but I can help with that too!

Mini and Jetta dressed in their best for their Bali Ubud Swing Adventure.

Robyn and Dana running a trip to Seoul.

For Everyone

Utilize Facebook for local travel groups or groups based on shared interests like comics, K-beauty, fishing, etc.
Check out your installations’ clubs that meet monthly and facilitate a space to form friendships
Take advantage of in-country and international travel through Osan Information, Ticking and Travel, Discover Seoul, or HANA Express Travel with Daegu FMWR
Get involved in Korean hiking groups as they often carpool or travel as a group, making it perfect for those traveling around Korea
Consider volunteering in your community as a door to new friendships

For Soldiers and Sponsors

Ask if your unit/workplace has any social groups or planned activities
Contact Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers and get connected with their volunteer opportunities and trips with other soldiers like yourself

For those in the Seoul Area

Join the United States Embassy Association in Seoul at USAG Yongsan
Join the American Women's Club of Korea to make friends from home

For those in the Pyeongtaek and Suwon Area

Join the Doin’ Stuff With Robyn & Dana Facebook group which plans day outings at an affordable price
Join Team Osan Spouses' Club or Humphreys United Club to make friends and explore together
Take advantage of in-country travel through Osan Information, Ticking and Travel or Humphreys Discover Seoul

For those in the Daegu Area

Take advantage of international travel made easy with HANA Express Travel with Daegu FMWR
Join the Daegu Civilian & Spouses Club to make friends in your area
Join the DIWA Daegu International Women’s Association to bridge connections with international friendships

Don’t be afraid to get out there and find a friend! I have been so blessed to find so many in Korea, but it wasn’t by chance. These friendships have brought out the best in me and helped me thrive here. That is what I want for you too. Who knows what adventure is ahead, but make sure to take a friend along with you!

About the Author

Jetta Allen is an Army spouse stationed at USAG Humphreys. Since she arrived in 2019, she has contributed to numerous organizations in a volunteer capacity. She began her journey with United on the RoK Magazine in 2022 as an author of a support column for adults and children enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program. Two years later, she is an accomplished author, photographer, and content creator fulfilling the role of Editor in Chief at United on the RoK Magazine. She loves nature, travel, and culture, but most of all, making memories with her family. As a military spouse, Jetta understands the importance of community and how being connected can help one find the resources and networks that help them thrive.

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