Fieldwork
Observations
In order to conduct observations virtually, an ethnographer needs consent and permission to enter a field if it is restricted.
We chose Facebook as our primary field and searched for female solo travel groups that would allow us to observe, interview, and participate in their virtual community. We secured access and permission to the ‘Girls About The Globe’ Facebook group. Over the course of one month, each group member conducted a minimum of twelve hours to fulfill their observation requirements with a minimum of four sessions.
These observations were made up of jottings and field notes, which we will discuss in further detail in the Observations section. To organize our findings, we recorded our notes in a journal. For each session, we highlighted specific interactions in the group ranging from the language used to common topics discussed within the community.
Interviews
Our interviews were conducted after we completed enough observation sessions to familiarize ourselves with our field. We reached out to the Facebook community and asked for willing participants. We had some amazing women volunteer to share their experiences and give us more information regarding our research.
To prepare for our interviews, we wrote an interview script beforehand consisting of categories of questions so that interviews could occur in a conversational format. The interviews were conducted via Zoom, and most group members had at least one chance to take on a moderator role. Facilitators took notes in their journals, which were used to analyze our research and answer the research question.
The interview portion of the process was the most exciting as it provided a space for direct engagement, and any burning questions we had could be answered in real-time.
Observation Summary
Observations were conducted virtually. Access was granted to the group by the Facebook Group Creator. After that, each of the group members conducted a minimum of 12 hours of observation and created jottings in a personal journal. The journals were contained relevant jottings and conclusions for each observation session also known as field notes.
I conducted 12 hours of observations over the course of four sessions in the months of late October and early November.
Through the observation sessions, I was able to draw conclusions on how the group members interacted and the most common talked-about topics. I learned about solo travel experiences, the most common travel destinations, solo travel programs, travel meet-ups, and what solo travel means to women in general.
The field itself was not as active but whenever posts were created those with relatable or helpful suggestions spoke up and interacted. The space was helpful, informative and a great space to share more on solo travel and meet like minded individuals .
The journals were then turned in after a month period of extensive observation and conducting interviews.
Interview Summary
Our interviews were conducted after we completed enough observation sessions to familiarize ourselves with our field. We reached out to the Facebook community and asked for willing participants. We had some amazing women volunteer to share their experiences and give us more information regarding our research.
To prepare for our interviews, we wrote an interview script beforehand consisting of categories of questions so that interviews could occur in a conversational format. The interviews were conducted via Zoom, and most group members had at least one chance to take on a moderator role. Facilitators took notes in their journals, which were used to analyze our research and answer the research question.
The team conducted 4 interviews each taking around roughly one hour. I was the moderator for one of the interviews ie. Karen De Windts Interviews and a facilitator for the other three.
Patterns and topics referred to in the interviews would show up in the Observation session or vice versa. Some of our interviewees even had posts on topics talked about during their interviews.
Below are the ladies we interviewed and a brief summary of their interviews:
Jill Melancon
- Atlanta Native.
- Started traveling before what we now call the internet times.
- Stated “once you do it and come home safe”, the list seems endless and the possibility of traveling seems more reassuring.
- Prefers to travel by herself rather than in a large group as she can take charge of her agenda and ultimately spend less since she is doing all the decision making.
- 30 years of solo travel.
- Prefers authentic experiences. Searches for authentic activities to do , less touristy. Prefers to stay in Airbnbs rather than hotels and stay with the natives.
Sheila Cahil
- Single mom with son.
- Always loved to travel. Took her sometime to realize she could do it on her own.
- The more she did it the more comfortable she was, being to 85 countries and all 50 states.
- Working remotely allowed her to travel more efficiently while keeping a job.
- She got into travel while young, especially during road trips with family, and continued the tradition with her new family.
- Has been to Europe during college
- Solo travelling enabled her to travel on her own.
- Online research has came in handy for travelling by herself, takes tour to places where she doesn't feel absolutely solo travelling by herself.
Karen De Windt
- From Brussels.
- In this interview I was the moderator. I did not have a chance to take as many notes, however the conversation was extremely pleasant.
- Karen emphasized on traveling to areas that were more accepting of foreign women. Mentioned a trip taken to Morocco, in that as much as she was modestly clothed she was still cat- called and harassed due to the biased perception of Western women in other countries, in the case Morocco. Egypt is also in her list of areas she would not be able to travel to alone.
- She mentioned that there are some areas she would not travel to due to this problem. “ I am on vacation”, further explains why she wouldn't want to travel to countries that would make her feel unsafe or prone to harassment.
- She emphasizes on practicality in terms of safety, “What I wouldn't do back in my hometown, why would I do it here?”
- Mentioned the language barrier , in relation to travelling.
- Easier to travel in Europe as she is from there, and to the availability of transport in these areas.
- Mentions the Facebook group chat and how she helped manage the group chat, which helped her interact and educate more people on solo travelling.
- Solo travelling has been easier for her as she claims that the place she works at, (Brussels) is already “dangerous” enough, she doesnt appear to be one to be messed with.
- When travelling she properly plans out her trips, from where she is going, the activities she would be doing, transport systems to ensure she would be well prepared.
- Mentions that solo traveling, especially as a woman is viewed from a more negative standpoint as most do not approve of it.
Aline Van Rossem
- From Belgium, 23 years old.
- Atlas was her nickname as a child as it interested her versus other materials she learnt at school. She was interested in traveling.
- Being around a community that was online as she felt that she didn't necessarily fit in, in her hometown.
- Traveling was an escape, didn’t want to wait for people to travel with, she could just travel by herself. She wants to see a lot. Family wasn’t into traveling like that.
- Youtube videos, mentions Backpacking bananas video on solo travel inspires her and a youtuber she looked up to for tips.
- Hostels are more fun because of social life, female only. Sharing passions with like minded people, very interesting, states that she has made and values friends she has met on the internet.
- Safety advice when travelling and staying in hostels, “Keep stuff close to me, don’t walk alone”
- Likes to discover places that aren’t so popular
- Travelling style : Luxury vs practicality, affordability is what comes close.
- Solo travel made her gain self confidence.
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