In the senior year whirlwind of college applications and big decisions, Tal Dooreck ‘23 found himself overwhelmed. This pressure sparked an idea: instead of rushing to university, why not take a gap year to discover more about himself and new parts of the world? With advice from a trusted teacher, Mr. Ben Yeo, Tal put his college plans on hold and set out with a backpack, a camera, no set itinerary, and a challenge: travel the world for free.
His journey kicked off with a bit of a rough start in Europe. He got a concussion from a boating accident, forcing him to take a break and cancel all his planned flights and hotels.
But this setback turned out to be a blessing in disguise. As Dooreck recuperated in Israel with his family, he decided to put his photography skills to use at a Greek surf resort, exchanging his talent for a place to stay and meals. This experience ignited a new perspective in Tal, inspiring him to travel around Asia with minimal expenses.
In Turkey, Dooreck experienced the challenges and thrills of solo travel for the first time at eighteen years old. “The initial fear of being alone in a foreign country was real,” Dooreck shared. “But overcoming that fear taught me independence and gave me the confidence to forge ahead.”
Soon after, his journey expanded to 10 countries: the United Arab Emirates, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Taiwan, Philippines, Indonesia, and Japan.
Using his experience at the Greek resort as a model, Tal devised a method to sustain his journey. He would approach local businesses and offer to create promotional videos in return for food and lodging. His first project, a video for a boat tour in Turkey, was a success that set the pattern for future exchanges.
“That first video exchange opened my eyes to a whole new way of traveling,” he explained. “It turned my skills into a valuable currency.”
One of his most memorable experiences happened in India, where a simple offer to create a promotional video for a New Delhi restaurant led to a month-and-a-half stay with a local in the middle of India who loved hosting foreigners and took in him and his mother—former RE English teacher Dr. Gila Aloni—with open arms. Here, Dooreck was given the royal treatment: free meals, free rooming, and a chauffeur to guide him around India.
“The experiences I gained when I was with that family were so fascinating,” he said. “I don’t think I’ll ever see something like that again.”
For Dooreck, the experience has shown him that education doesn’t always happen in lecture halls. “Don’t feel bound by conventional paths. My best memories have come from the most unexpected journeys, so embrace your curiosity, step outside your comfort zone, and be persistent.”
