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Kelsey Perri returned from a Road Scholar women-only program in Québec City with a special appreciation for the joys of traveling with other women. In a recent interview, she shared her experiences and her lessons learned.
“As a proud graduate of Saint Mary’s College (and the Saint Mary’s study abroad program), I know what it’s like to learn and travel among a community of women. I never imagined myself attending a women’s college, but I found myself there and was grateful to discover the opportunities that that community afforded me. I’m lucky that I could experience that special magic once again in Québec City, because I was able to explore this fascinating city with a group of women who were just as interesting — including my mom!
So, what is it that creates such a special atmosphere and energy when traveling and learning with a community of women?
See Road Scholar’s women-only learning adventures
1. Nobody Is Left Out
When you travel on a women-only program, you’re all but guaranteed not to be the only solo traveler. Aside from my mom and me, one pair of friends and two sisters, all the others in our group were solo travelers, and many of them were first-timers. Some women were married, others divorced, widowed, or never married. A few of the women chose to be matched with roommates and had great experiences. And on a free day in our program, everyone in the group made sure everyone else was included in plans to go out for crepes, chocolate, and people-watching. Nobody was left out.
2. Free to Be Ourselves
One of my favorite things about traveling with a community of women is the immediate and natural sense of belonging. There’s a special sense of comfort – about opening up, being ourselves, and sharing the talents, characteristics, and past experiences – that make each of us unique.
Our Québec City adventure felt like therapy! We could commiserate over common peeves and laugh in a way that was good for our souls. At breakfast, lunch, and dinner, we shared deep conversations and light ones alike. With just women around, we could lean into subjects that might have bored our male partners or made them feel uncomfortable. We talked about motherhood, menopause, and mystery novels. We shared about skincare and gray hair. We gushed about our kids and grandkids, compared the comfort of our footwear, and complimented each other on our rain gear. We consoled each other, we were inspired by each other, and we learned from each other.
3. Ease of Making Friends
Women are social beings. Because we talked so much and opened up so easily, bonds formed fast and strong. Though only two arrived as siblings on Monday, by Saturday, we were all sisters. In the weeks immediately following our trip, two participants met up halfway between their homes in Delaware and Pennsylvania for lunch, and a Michigander and I had lunch when she passed through Rhode Island — where I live — on a road trip. We have a Facebook chat group where we share photos and have continued to talk and stay in touch. And six of the women enrolled together in a women-only trip to Portugal!
4. Women Look Out for Each Other
The intuition of these women and their care for each other created a special feeling of security in our program. When one of us stumbled on the sidewalk, those around her were quick to help her up and were checking on her throughout the day to make sure she was okay. When one of us felt tired out and decided to take a morning off, the rest of us noticed, inquired about her, and welcomed her back with enthusiasm when she rejoined at lunch.
When any one of us seemed to be struggling on the hilly Québec terrain, the rest of us noticed and adjusted our pace. By the end of the week, we were moving like a school of fish, together as one, and everyone felt well taken care of and looked out for.
5. Empowerment
There’s a special culture of support that happens in a community of women traveling or learning together. The feeling of “Girl Power” was strong within our group. We encouraged each other as we took on the hills of Québec, and we found inspiration in each other’s stories of independence – like the woman who embarked on a new business in her 60s. We felt proud of ourselves because our new friends had complimented us, championed u,s and cheered us on. We found inspiration in each other’s power. It became contagious, and we took it home with us like a souvenir.
6. HERstory
I found that we learned more about women’s history in this program. Or maybe it was just that those stories landed differently than they would have if we hadn’t been a group of all women. When the docents and local experts saw that we were a group of women, they pointed out particular historical details that they thought might be relevant. We asked questions about the female prisoners at the 19th-century prison and the “King’s Daughters” who populated Québec. Hearing that women in Québec couldn’t vote until 1940 hit deeper. We felt a greater kinship with the girls educated at the Ursuline school. Our historical interpreter at Montmorency Falls even showed us her petticoat and corset – something she only felt comfortable teaching us about because we were a group of women. So, throughout the week, not only did we learn from and find inspiration in each other’s stories, but we also learned from and found inspiration in the stories of the generations of Québecois women!
I have experienced many of these magical elements in other travels – the inclusivity, sense of belonging, and fast and deep friendships formed. But I truly believe those qualities were present on an even deeper level on this trip because we experienced it with a group of women. I hope every woman has the chance to experience the special magic that occurs when you travel with other women!”
Road Scholar offers nearly 30 educational travel adventures just for women. See the collection.
