One Year and a One-Way Ticket: Ditching My Mother's Five-Year Plan to Travel Solo

A memoir rich in adventure, love, and self-discovery, One Year and a One-Way Ticket details the transformative journey of 23-year-old Danika.

Born and raised in Toronto under the watchful eye of her demanding mother, Danika has always believed success means studying hard, securing a prestigious job, buying a home, and starting a family. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when she is rejected from veterinary college, leaving her meticulously laid-out plans in ruins and her spirits deflated.

Spurred by this setback, what was supposed to be a short pre-vet school trip morphs into an extended year of self-exploration. With just a one-way ticket to Sri Lanka, Danika faces a series of challenges-from unsettling encounters with volunteer hosts to arduous treks through cold, sickness-inducing altitudes. Yet, these pale in comparison to her greatest anxiety: returning home to confront her mother's stringent five-year plan.

Candid and inspiring, Danika's story captures her pursuit of bravery, acceptance, and autonomy as she travels the world with a curious and courageous spirit.