12/15/2025
As the seasons change and winter settles in, many of us feel that familiar pull to go somewhere…whether it’s to rest, to reflect, to heal, or to simply find renewed energy. Winter can also be a quieter season, one where people may feel a little more isolated or disconnected. For Aubrey, travel was never just about the destination. It was about the people.
Years ago, Aubrey filled out a travel questionnaire…a fun, thoughtful snapshot of her adventurous spirit, her humor, and her deep curiosity about the world. She answered questions about why she traveled, how she navigated the unknown, what she loved most about new places, and what truly mattered to her along the way. Reading her words now feels like hearing her voice again…honest, lighthearted, and full of heart.
Aubrey believed that connection…to people, to cultures, to shared humanity…was one of the purest forms of freedom. Meeting strangers, exchanging stories, learning how others live and love across the world gave her a deep sense of belonging, not just to one place, but to something much bigger. Through those connections, she felt grounded and expansive at the same time…free, yet deeply connected to the world and the universe around her.
She traveled with an open heart, believing that when we take the time to truly see one another, borders fade and humanity comes into focus. For Aubrey, global appreciation wasn’t just about seeing new places…it was about understanding people, honoring differences, and recognizing how deeply connected we all truly are.
Below, we’re sharing some of the questions Aubrey answered…along with her own words…so you can experience this part of her journey with us. Her reflections remind us that people travel for many reasons. Some to escape. Some to heal. Some to discover. Aubrey traveled to connect.
As we move through this season of reflection, we hope her words inspire you to seek connection, embrace curiosity, and find freedom in understanding the world—and each other—a little more deeply. 💛
— The Aubrey Nicole Mitsch Foundation
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Aubrey’s responses to a “Women Who Travel” questionnaire:
“WHO AM I?”
name, age(not necessarily ), where are you from, what do you do or did(if you quit your job)? etc.
Hello! I Am Aubrey from Maryland! I am 26 will turn 27 on my adventure through Southeast Asia! I am an Army Medic and I work full-time for the National Guard doing Health Administration and running a Medical Clinic. I am also completing my last class (Microbiology) so I can apply to the Army Physician Assistant Program and Other Universities for my Masters in PA.
QUESTIONS:
1.”When did you start traveling and did you plan that long travel from the beginning?” (If you do short travels, just write how often you go, for how long and what do you prefer: weekends, one week every now and then, or whole holidays at a time)
Growing up Military we always did a lot of traveling (Moved 18 times) and drives across the United States many times. We did a lot of Camping and traveling to each state. In the last couple years I take 1-2 months off and travel to different places. Prior to that it was just a long weekend to a week trips due to money and being in college.
2. “How did you travel for so long(IF)? I mean, did you work in the meantime or you saved all the money before you started traveling?”
Every year I save up on my leave time from work and save up money. Then 1-2 months out of the year I travel! But, I am still getting paid for the one month that I travel. Perks of having a flexible job where I work 4 days a week. If I need a certain day off I work weekends or a Monday in exchange for any day I want. I also buy tickets and hostels for my trip a little at a time so it doesn’t hurt my pocket so much.
3. “Traveling alone or with company?”
I like both but, recently I prefer to travel alone, visit some friends around the world, and then be on my way to do what I want. Sometimes with other people they don’t want to do what I am interested in and aren’t the go with the flow type of people. I invited the guy I’m dating on part of my trip to Thailand only because we get along and he is down to do whatever. A lot of people always say they want to go but, never follow through with not having the money or time to go.
4. “How You came to be a female/male solo traveler?”
For my age I have set myself up pretty nicely when it comes to being an “adult”. AKA paying bills student loans, paying off my car, rent, etc. I don’t really party to much anymore so I save my money. No one else has time or money to travel. I am not going to let others not traveling stop me from going. My dad is a huge supporter of me traveling and told me to do it while I was young. I am the free spirit of the family so he knows me so well! I want to see the world so why not!
5. “Do you ever get lonely or bored traveling alone?”
Sometimes. Especially if I am in a place where no one speaks English. But, over the last couple years I have actually been okay with it. I’ve been on a self-love journey so it has helped with being cool with just being with myself and exploring. I am really outgoing so I just talk to a bunch of different people so I am not bored or lonely too often!
6. “What if you come home early because of homesickness or if You run out of money?”
I wouldn’t come home early because of homesickness. Growing up military and moving away from home at 18 states away from my parents I am used to being by myself. Everyone misses home at one point another but, honestly its nothing really to worry about. If I run out of money I run out of money. But, I have multiple bank accounts, budget, and credit cards to help me so money has never been an issue. I know my parents would help me if I ever ran into a situation of running out of money. I would pay them back of course.
7. “Have you ever had any bad experience on the road? If yes where, and what happened?”
No I actually have not! I guess I am lucky so far! But, anything can happen right. All you can do is roll with the punches and have trip Insurance.
8. “What's your favorite place so far?”
Germany and Japan!
9. “What home comfort do you miss the most?”
The convenience of everything being in the DC/MD/VA (DMV) area.
10. “Who is the most interesting person you've met so far?”
The most interesting person I’ve met I would have to say the people that I’ve met along the way. The stories about their life, travels, culture, and everything else. I like the people that become friends that I keep in touch with.
11. “Toilets: squat or Western?”
Western. But, I think I would be pretty good at a squat toilet. I am used to having to p*e outside in the woods with the military or hiking. Can’t be that much different can it?
12. “What was your most embarrassing moment while traveling?”
My most embarrassing moment is when I was in Japan I was bit by some type of bug while I was sleeping. When I woke up I thought I had a zit or something on my butt. Throughout the day it got really bad. Inflamed, itchy, it hurt, and looked like it had a white head. So I tried to pop it and the pus stuff came out and kept coming out!! It was awful. I couldn’t even lay or sit on it or even put tight clothes on it. When I was traveling home from Japan to California I couldn’t sit on my cheek. So I had to apologize to the guy next to me because I was all up in his personal space. I then had to tell him what happened because he was looking at me like a crazy person! By the time I got back to Cali the pressure that I had put on my butt pushed all the pus out and I had to change underwear and pants because they were all wet and pus filled. I know how a circle mark where I had gotten bit. The last guy I was dating was like what is the mark on your butt. Now I have a funny story and a memory/gift from japan haha.
13. “What have you brought on the way, that you haven't used?”
Almost everything! I am an over packer and tend to wear the same outfits over and over. I always think I will wear everything or need something just in case.
14. “What has been the most useful item you've brought on the way?”
Portable chargers for all my devices!
15. “What's the best piece of travel advice you've received?”
Travel as much as you can. You are single
16. “What's the worst piece of travel advice you've received?”
You shouldn’t travel alone it’s too dangerous for a woman
17. “What's your top travel tip?”
Just go! Don’t wait for people to travel with you. All those places you wanted to see go see them before you have kids and can’t go anywhere.
18. “How did your relatives felt about your trip (only if it was a long term, if you do short travels just say it)?”
My mom is of course a typical mom and worries when I travel by myself. She always says “I would feel better if you had someone going with you all these places.” But, both of my parents fully supportive of me on my travel adventures and tell me to do it while I am young and have no kids. My relatives are all jealous and follow my travel adventures online via Facebook and IG.
19. “What's the longest you've been away from home?”
Military training 8 months. Traveling only 2 because that is what the Military allowed.
20. “What's your dream job?”
To be a Physician Assistant in the Emergency Room
21. “How are you documenting your trip(IF)?” (HERE you can also post links to your media..!! )
Facebook: instagram, and snapchat
22. “What's been the weirdest thing you've seen?”
Probably peoples style. I wouldn’t consider really anything weird because it may be common for their culture.
23. “What's the most interesting thing you've learnt?”
The difference in other cultures. How it varies so much from the U.S.
24. “What has surprised you about yourself?”
How strong and resourceful I am. How I am just a free spirit and willing to learn others cultures.
25. “Dorm or private room?” (optional WHY?)
When traveling alone I do both but, prefer a dorm because I can meet other people that are traveling as well!
26. “Do you call yourself traveller or backpacker?” (optional WHY?)
I would say traveler
27. “What can’t you travel without and why?”
Clothes, Shoes, Camera, Selfie Stick,
28. “What home comfort do you miss the most?”
The convenience of everything being in the DC/MD/VA (DMV) area. Talking to my mom everyday
29. “How many gadgets are you carrying? Which is your favorite?”
Cellphone, Camera, and Kindle
30. “Strict schedule or go with the flow?”
Go with the flow. I have a general idea of things that I want to do but, I just wing it in general. I think traveling with a strict schedule makes for you to miss a lot of things!
31. “Beer or wine?”
Wine! Defiantly wine!
32. “Street food or restaurant?”
I like both!! I think street food is better when in other countries!
33. “What is your favorite street food so far?”
Oh this is a hard one! I don’t have a favorite. I love all foods!!
34. “How often do you try the local food?”
I try the local food all the time. You can’t go to another country and not try their food. Plus the local food is so yummy! All the different types of food in the U.S are so Americanized so trying the local food in other countries is always a million times better.
35. “What’s the most challenging thing you’ve done so far?”
Traveling around Army Plans.
36. “City or countryside?”
A little of both!
37. “Do you prefer to walk, take a public transport or private transport?” (optional WHY? savings or cos you prefer like that etc.)
I like to walk as in hiking or around new places. I’ll take Uber, buses, and other modes depending on cost and how much time I need to get somewhere.
38. “What destination(s) have you found to be overrated?”
Guam. I went to Hawaii first then I hopped a military flight to Guam and I was not impressed. They don’t take care of their island very well and it just seemed so run down.
39. “Do you read on the way or rather watch movies? Your last book/movie?”
I do both!! I read 5 books at once so I never get bored. And movies I watch periodically when I travel with my laptop. The books I am reading are A thousand new beginnings by Kristin Addis, Everything we keep by Kerry Lonsdale, and the 28 ½ wishes (series) by Denise Grover Swank (My favorite series!!!) But, now that I know I can download movies from my amazon account to my kindle I will definitely be doing that!
40. “How much stuff have you lost?”
I always lose sunglasses!!!! I don’t know why but, I go through so many sunglasses. Other than that I haven’t really lost anything else luckily! (**Knocks on wood)
41. “How much stuff have you left on the way cos of the overweight of your luggage?”
None. I have never left anything along the way. I am so used to traveling so I am an expert of packing a suitcase 40-50 pounds. But, everytime I say to myself that I won’t pack as much next time.
42. “Have you ever been scammed? How and where?”
No I haven’t! I always read peoples blogs, do some research, and take pointers from friends who have traveled.
43. “What do you wish you’d brought to travel, that you haven’t?”
I always think of something different when I travel that I wish I had. But, if I don’t have it I buy it.
44. “How do you stay safe on the road?”
Know your areas, make sure that you are aware of your surroundings
45. “Have you met someone on the road, that you’ve “clicked” with so good, to start traveling together?” (as a friend, new boyfriend/girlfriend, or a group of people)?
I’ve met a lot of friends!!! Friends that I stay in contact with to this day!
46. “Is it hard for you to get along with other travelers? If YES, why? If NOT, briefly write how do you do that?”
Not at all! I love people and meeting new people. I am a people person and can talk about anything. I am very outgoing, positive, and laid back so it really helps. Plus I love new friend!!
47. “How do you communicate with locals, if they do not speak English?”
Learn basics of their language or a translating app.
48. “Is there anything, that you would change about your travel/s, if you could start from the beginning and having all this traveling experience?”
I wish I could travel more! I just want to see and experience everything!!! I would also have traveled on my own sooner!
49. “How would you describe yourself in 3 words?”
Adventurous, motherly, and happy
50. “Who would win in a fight: a polar bear with a rifle, or a Barbie with a laser gun?” (optional WHY?
Hahahaha probably the polar bear
