Before I left, I didn’t think of myself as someone who did hard things. I played it safe, stayed within the realm of what I knew I could handle. But then as I stood atop an erupting volcano, I realized a past version of me never would have never seen this.

Choosing a Life of ‘Yes’

A friend said to me, “Texas Cassie would never have signed up for a 12-hour overnight hike,” and she’s absolutely right. That version of me avoided big physical challenges and rarely tested her limits. Some of that came from perfectionism; some of it came from fear. I liked feeling capable and in control, and I steered clear of anything that might challenge that.

After weeks of travel and conversations with fellow travelers, one message kept surfacing: you’re capable of more than you think. What once felt scary or ‘not for me’ gradually becomes your reality — and you evolve to tackle new challenges. “Just wait and see,” they said.

And that I did, with this list serving as proof.

These days, I’m no longer intimidated by challenges. I appreciate what facing them head-on has given me—a newer version of myself that has higher limits and is constantly craving to break them.

Top 10 Most Defining Experiences from My Adult Gap Year

Below are stand-out experiences, some physically demanding, some mentally, with most spontaneous. All made possible by overcoming fears, following curiosity, and just saying, ‘Yes!’.

I dive deeper into each experience below with links to companies I used. If you have any questions about any of these activities or want more details, please reach out! I am happy to give tips and recommendations.

Swimming with Humpback Whales in French Polynesia
Climbing the 13,000 ft. Volcan Acatenango in Guatemala
Spanish Immersion (Language School & Homestay) in Guatemala
Sandboarding & Dune Buggy Racing through a Desert
5-Day 70KM Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
3 Month Roadtrip & Campervanning through New Zealand
Bungee Jumping & Canyoning in New Zealand
Driving a 23-foot camper-van down the East coast of Australia
Surf Camp in Indonesia (with zero prior experience)
Scuba Diving Certification in Gili Islands, Indonesia

Let’s Dive Deeper

1) Swimming with Humpback Whales in Tahiti, French Polynesia

A once in a lifetime experience that I didn’t even know existed. There are only a few places in the world where this is legal. It is also heavily monitored and restricted to ensure the safety of the whales.

I swam with Moorea Expeditions, a local Tahitian company that prioritizes conservation and respecting the natural world. French law limits the amount of people per boat to 6 guests, plus a tour guide and captain. Only one group at a time can be observing the whales in the water. This is an additional layer to protect the whales. It also allows the experience (should you be lucky enough to see them) to be extra special, as you don’t have crowds of people around you.

I was fortunate enough to see a total of 3 whales during the 4-hour tour. One was a male, directly below me quite a ways down, where I was only able to see his shadow (massive and a bit intimidating if I’m being honest) and hear his song. The next was a mother and her baby. This one was especially magical because I was lucky enough to witness the baby breach the surface for air. I followed her as she slowly ascending from the depths, while her mother watched closely below. As the baby reached the surface, I followed suit. It was such a powerful and otherworldly experience, one that continues to give me goosebumps today.

2) Climbing the 13,000 Ft. Volcan Acatenango in Guatemala

Watching the sunrise and morning eruptions of Fuego from neighboring Acatenango base camp (elevation: 13,000 ft)

I’m not a seasoned hiker by any means with no real experience with high altitudes or steep inclines, but when I heard you could hike to the top of one volcano, to watch the neighboring volcano erupt smoking red hot lava, I knew I had to at least try. I spent the few months prior to leaving for Guatemala “training”. This meant hugging the stair master multiple times a week and praying my strength training could get me to the top of the volcano.

This hike is no easy feat - a straight incline for hours and hours, and of course with the added challenge of high altitude. Step by step, I went, reminding myself — you can do hard things. It may sound cliche, but by hour 3, it becomes a mind game. I never imagined I’d climb a volcano, yet there I was, nearly 13,000 feet up, exhausted but deeply proud. And the reward? Unbelievable. Just after sunset, Fuego erupted. I jumped up and down like a little kid. I genuinely couldn’t believe it until just 15 minutes later, it erupted again. And again. Watching bright red lava spew with such power and velocity was absolutely surreal.

I’m grateful to CA Travelers for making the journey seamless and for those who accompanied me to an unforgettable natural phenomenon. If you’re considering climbing Acatenango—and physically able—I can’t recommend it or CA Travelers enough. It’s a raw and empowering experience that stays with you long after you descend.

Curious about the experience? See my video recap.

3) Spanish Immersion (Language School & Homestay) in Guatemala

My local Spanish teacher in San Pedro La Laguna at Cooperative Spanish School

I have a funny relationship with Spanish. We’ve been acquaintances for most of my life, beginning in middle school, then got to know each other better during my study abroad semester in Spain, but we never quite became besties.

I had finally grown sick of this and decided to promise myself that by the end of my lifetime, I would become a more confident Spanish speaker. And so, if I was going to go to a Spanish-speaking country, I needed to fully immerse myself in the language and evolve my Spanish skillset, even if that meant being very uncomfortable.

I found an incredible Spanish school Cooperativa Spanish School in San Pedro La Laguna, Guatemala where I was fortunate enough to have 1:1 Spanish classes along with a lovely local home-stay. It was such a rewarding experience to not only enhance my Spanish (not to mention struggle every day), but learn more about Guatemalan life and culture.

My teacher (pictured above) encouraged full-immersion, which meant no English during lessons. Needless to say, I had many uncomfortable moments trying to find the right words, and often got lost while speaking, but she encouraged me to keep pushing through the discomfort. As a result, my Spanish improved tremendously allowing me to then leverage throughout the rest of my travels in South America.

This is an example of where I had grown fed up with making excuses for myself and the time for perfection had passed. Growing and evolving is uncomfortable, but that’s how it’s supposed to be. We must push past in order to progress.

4) Sandboarding & Dune Buggy Racing through a Desert

Chasing golden horizons in Huacachina, Peru

A fun one! This is a bit of tourist activity, however, it was one of the most fun experiences I had while in Peru. Huacachina is what they call a ‘desert oasis’. It is a man-made town surrounded by towering sand dunes.

For a few hours, you and 7 others load into a dune-buggy and race through the endless sand-dunes, flying up and over, feeling like you are in a Mad-Max movie. It’s an incredible adrenaline rush and very surreal. The drivers have a bit of that Mad-Max energy, and joke that they don’t have families and that’s why they do this job.

Despite this humor, it is perfectly safe and they are professional drivers. The sunset here is perhaps the most beautiful; the way the orange pours into the lines of the dunes is captivating. I recommend traveling here if this adventure sounds alluring.

5) 5-Day 70KM Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

Almost there! Machu Picchu in the far distance

I knew if I was going to see Machu Picchu, the most rewarding way to get there would be to hike. For countless reasons, the Incas were absolutely incredible. They established civilizations at high altitudes, overcoming steep mountains and terrains. They were innovative to say the least and their civilizations continue to live on today. Hiking there allowed me to more deeply appreciate the wonder that is this historical site.

When I set out on this year, I knew I wanted to literally reach new heights, but I also knew I had never embarked on more than a day hike. Because of this, I wanted all the support I could afford along the 70 KM hike that is the Salkantay trek. I also wanted to make sure that the company I signed up with supported its team fairly. After speaking with locals, travelers and a good internet deep dive, I decided to go with Alpaca Expeditions. An admittedly more expensive option compared to others, but a peace of mind that not only was I going to be taken care of but also the men alongside us who were carrying 70lbs+ of weight and working at elevations I struggled to simply walk at. These men were remarkable, incredibly professional and inspiring.

The trek was a total of 5 days through which we reached 4600 meters high (15,000 ft.) and descended through over 5 microclimates, stripping off layers as we went. We stayed in tents huddled between snowcapped mountains, and hobbit-like houses in the jungle. We jumped in freezing rivers and followed the train tracks towards Aguas Calients (the river town next to Machu Picchu). Along the way, we sang old Hannah Montana songs, shared our life journeys thus far and developed bonds within hours, partly through friendship, but also through endurance and physical challenge. We were kept company by alpacas, llamas, puppies and very loud snorting horses (there’s a story there).

It goes without saying, that this may have been one of the hardest physical challenges of my year. I was lucky in that every morning I woke up with a hot cup of coffee, an exceptional trekking team, and new friends who always had a smile on their face, serving as a reminder that often the most physically challenging moments are the ones we will never forget.

6) 3 Month Roadtrip & Campervanning through New Zealand

Perhaps the most unexpected and unplanned part of my year was spent in New Zealand. I was fortunate enough to have company for the first month, driving and campervanning throughout North and South Island, but when it came time for me to move on and head to Australia, I felt a pull keeping me there, nudging me that, “There is more for you to see”.

Kindness, true kindness, exists in our world; it is in every corner if you’re willing to be receptive and open to it. I found this in New Zealand. I had met a lovely couple during my time in the South Pacific and we had exchanged information in case I needed anything during my travels. I realized very quickly that if I wanted to explore NZ further, I needed transportation, and being in summer, prices for rentals were excessive. I heard that buying/selling cars was very common and began down that path, but was quickly overwhelmed with all the decisions, so much so that I almost left NZ entirely.

I reached out that couple I had met a month prior in the Cook Islands and within a few days, I was in their home, renting a car they had bought off a family friend and preparing to head out on a 6-week solo roadtrip around South Island. It was a crazy turn of events and I feel the utmost love and gratitude for their kindness and what quickly became friendship.

You can read more about my roadtrip here. My Subaru Sally and I headed North from Christchurch and did a complete circle around South Island. It was liberating to have the freedom to go wherever I wanted, to feel unrestricted, unbound and curious.

It did not come without discomforts — I was constantly having to find campsites to stay in, ensure my food didn’t spoil in the cooler, stay safe and aware of my surroundings, and navigate the windy, windy roads of NZ. But as I finished my journey, landing back in Christchurch, I felt proud that I took the leap, trusted myself and navigated the journey. It was not always easy and some days I felt lonely or sad. But I had made a 5-year dream come true — I had experienced the beauty of New Zealand first-hand and would never forget my time there.

7) Bungee Jumping & Canyoning in New Zealand

No turning back now! Bungee jumping in Queenstown, New Zealand

Well, you can’t go to NZ and not try some adventure sports right? I’ve always loved the adventure category. But I talk a big game. In fact, I told myself I wouldn’t be bungee jumping because of the physical risks, yet somehow, I ended up on top of a bridge, overlooking a beautiful rushing river, with my legs tied and a man counting down from 3. Before I could second guess, I leapt forward and flew through the sky for a total of 4 seconds before the bungee caught and I swung back towards the bridge. The entire experience lasted maybe 1 minute from start to finish, yet I will never forget it. Life has a funny way of surprising you. And although the risks still exist, I don’t regret my decision.

Canyoning was something I had heard of and was very interested in, however, I didn’t fully understand what it was — you rappel, jump, and climb down a river? Yes, that is exactly it. I’d say it most closely resembles downward rock climbing but with water. Ironically, this activity was not even a question for me to sign-up, but ended up being one of the scariest activities I did. Navigating slick rocks in freezing water temperatures (while wearing a wetsuit) left me feeling hesitant and nervous. There was so much room for injury and no longer being 18, I was nervous about hurting myself and getting stuck in the middle of the National Park.

Fortunately, I eventually found more confidence and even jumped 8M into the water. I felt like a kid again playing in the river outside my house. An adult playground. Both of these experiences made me feel alive. I wonder if I will take it a step further and tackle the tallest bungee in the southern hemisphere next time? Stay tuned.

8) Driving a 23-foot Camper-Van Down the East coast of Australia

This experience was unexpected and almost didn’t happen. In Australia, campervan / car rental companies sometimes need to relocate their rentals from one location to another. Rather than having their employees do this (as it is often far distances), they offer this opportunity to the public. How it works is they give you an allotted amount of days for the vehicle to arrive at the final destination, including a maximum amount of miles. A gas voucher is sometimes included, but tolls and accommodation are for you to cover. Generally, it is $1 a day, not including gas or insurance, with the option to add a day or two for usually $75/day. A company to find these is Transfer Car.

How I ended up with a 3-berth Maui campervan (or realistically a motorhome) was I needed to get from Brisbane to Sydney and I was looking for a budget way to do so. The van allowed for me to sleep, shower, cook, etc. and since I had the time, I decided this could be a good option. Upon booking, I saw an image of a 2-berth van and thought, sure, I could that. Well, upon arrival, I realized nothing was guaranteed and before I knew it, I was being handed the keys and told to be in Sydney in 4 days.

You can see how large this vehicle was and driving it felt more like a truck than a van. I almost didn’t leave the parking lot. After some deep breaths and realizing I could drive as slow as I needed, I pulled out of the lot and began my four day trip down the East coast.

This was by far the largest vehicle I’d ever driven, so large, that when it was in reverse, it made a hilarious ‘beeping noise’, to which all eyes turned. Talk about embarrassing. Whether it was figuring out how to connect the electricity at campsites, locking the doors, or making a turn without causing an accident, this experience reminded me that you can do more than you think.

9) Surfing Camp in Indonesia with Zero Prior Experience

Countless hours, but finally stood up… in an epic spot too!

Aside from the Salktantay trek, this was by far one of the most mentally challenging activities. I had visions of gliding across the waves in a cute bikini, admiring the ocean views, but the reality was I spent more time in the water getting pounded by waves, gasping for air, and nursing (minor) injuries.

But I wouldn’t change a thing. Waking up at 5 AM and being out on the water for sunrise was such an incredible experience. With a team of kind and supportive instructors, at a camp that truly felt like a family, I had one of the best experiences.

Surfing is a sport that requires you to get up each and every time you fail, and you will fail, over and over again. You may only catch one wave during a two hour session and that makes it all worth it. Your body is being pushed to its limits, while your mind is begging you to give up. Overcoming these initial responses is part of learning to surf. And meeting amazing people is the biggest reward.

I did a week-long surf camp with Insider Surf and although it was not exactly for beginners, I would recommend it over and over again for anyone with some surfing experience under their belt.

10) Scuba diving Certification in Gili Islands

Incredible sealife to be discovered in Indonesia

Sometimes decisions are entirely spontaneous; an opportunity presents itself and your entire body says, ‘Yes, let’s do it’. That was how, during my 6-weeks in Indonesia, I found myself spending more time in the water than I ever had in my life.

I discovered a newfound love and respect for the ocean. I say new because the ocean has always intimidated me. I preferred to be on top of it rather than in it. But these fears held me back from an entire world under the surface and I had enough of letting fear control me. My entire family was scuba certified, so why couldn’t I?

Arriving on the Gili Islands, I decided it was now or never. I walked into Blue Marlin Dive Shop and before I knew it, I was signed up for my open water certification. For the next 3 days, I was fully immersed in the diving world — diving 2-3 times a day and studying in the evening. I thought of nothing else except the underwater world and how to face my fears of drowning.

I was fortunate, blessed with two incredible instructors who, not kidding, held my had as I faced my challenges with breathing underwater. They were so patient. It’s because of them I was blessed to see the largest turtles I’ve ever seen, reef sharks, blue starfish, and a puffed pufferfish! There is so much more to our world under the surface and I am now officially a converted water baby.

Indonesia’s beauty is unmatched, but it reminded me to stay calm, present, and keep breathing (especially when diving, because umm, you will injure yourself if you don’t :P).

For anyone that has any questions around how I prepared for this year of exploration, feel free to reach out to me. Happy to help you on your own journey!

Top 10 Defining Moments of My Gap Year