When my college friend invited me to Sweden for her 30th birthday, I didn't hesitate to say yes. In fact, I booked my flight to Europe within an hour of receiving her invitation in the mail.
Her camp-themed celebration was set to take place over a summer weekend in the small, remote town of Björkasjö, Sweden. My friend had rented a massive 7,000-square-foot house that once operated as an actual summer camp, so group meals, camp-inspired games, and lake swims were part of the plan.
I'm always eager to plan my next adventure, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to celebrate her milestone birthday. However, as the trip approached and the guest list was finalized, I recognized only my friend's and her sister's names.
Soon, I realized I'd basically be spending the weekend off the grid in another country with 25 strangers.
After a bit of solo travel, I connected with the group and formed fast friendships
Before the weekend festivities began, I spent the day exploring Copenhagen on my own. I usually travel with friends or family, so kicking off my trip this way was yet another step outside of my comfort zone.
Despite being a Type-A planner, I had nothing arranged but a hotel room for the night. To my surprise, I wasn't lonely and really enjoyed the freedom of wandering the city on my own without a plan.
Following my solo day in Copenhagen, I hopped into a rental car with two other women who were also traveling to the same summer camp.
My friend had loosely connected us a few days before the trip, and although we had mutual friends from Minnesota, we didn't actually meet until we arrived in Europe.
I was worried the 2½ -hour drive into remote Sweden could be awkward, but we ended up talking and laughing the entire time, despite the jet lag.
As a Midwesterner now living in Florida, I always appreciate connecting with people who share those same roots. The three of us quickly bonded over McFlurries and chicken sandwiches at McDonald's during a very non-traditional Swedish fika.
Once we arrived at the camp compound, the three of us grabbed a room to share for the weekend. By that night, we were already swapping stories and getting ready together like we'd known each other longer than a day.
As people arrived from all over the US and Europe, conversations kept flowing.
The group ranged from recent college graduates in their mid-20s to married couples in their 30s expecting their first child. I loved meeting another military spouse, fellow alums from my college, and plenty of Taylor Swift fans.
Despite our different backgrounds, ages, and life experiences, everyone was interested in getting to know each other.
Stepping away from the rest of the world truly allowed us to bond through deeper conversations. Instead of mindlessly scrolling on my phone each night, I was engaging in interesting conversations with new friends and soaking in the peaceful Swedish countryside.
I was even surprised by how much I had in common with some of the recent Gen Z college graduates, despite our eight-year age gap. While they were building careers in bustling New York City, I was settling into a quieter life with my husband in Florida's Panhandle.
Although our lives looked very different, we found plenty to talk about, including a shared love of international travel.
Spending the weekend outdoors also pushed me outside my comfort zone
As promised, the birthday weekend was filled with nonstop fun, including a lot of late-night parties and day drinking. I was never really into the party scene in college, and I certainly don't have the same stamina at 30 that I did back then.
Some of the drinking games were completely new to me — and I couldn't decide if I felt young for joining in or old because I couldn't hang. I still pushed myself to keep up, knowing I didn't want to miss out on the experience.
Beyond the partying, I often found myself embracing new experiences I normally wouldn't have tried otherwise.
For instance, a cold midnight swim in the lake, which I later learned had leeches, isn't normally my idea of fun. As someone who isn't particularly outdoorsy, I never expected this to become one of my favorite memories of the trip.
Even still, I ran into the chilly water under the bright moonlight, laughing and smiling from ear to ear with new friends. And although I'm not much of a cook, I was also happy to jump into the kitchen and help prepare meals for the group.
By the end of the weekend, the 25 strangers didn't feel like strangers anymore
Knowing my friend had brought together a group of people she loved and cared about gave me the confidence I needed to go on this trip, and I'm grateful.
Opportunities to step out of my comfort zone like this are rare, and the older I get, the more I realize how important it is to say yes when they come up.
A few years ago, I would have felt overwhelmed at the idea of spending a weekend in another country with new people.
After this experience, I wouldn't hesitate to take the risk again. It reminded me that stepping into discomfort can create some of the most memorable travel experiences.
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Allie Hubers is a freelance writer based in Niceville, Florida. She has a passion for global travel and cruising. Allie holds an MBA in Data Analytics and works as a data designer and analyst, while also teaching statistics and analytics at Penn State. She also runs the travel blog Candid Cruise & Travel.
