It’s not until you arrive in a foreign country, in a city you’ve never been to before, in the early hours of the morning, cross-checking prices to negotiate a rate, which you then shake on, with a taxi driver you chose based on instinct, building rapport through Google Translate on the ride, and finally making it to your Airbnb, that you realize the confidence gained from prior months of experience.

Honorable mentions: having cash on hand, an eSIM ready to go for the new country, and a travel companion who trusts in your ability.