Read through the article below and then try to complete the gaps with the missing vocabulary.

Did you travel to learn English, to work or for pleasure? I hope you find the article useful!
Missing words:

Qualities

Liberating - free (makes you feel free)

Vulnerable

Preparation

Fundamental

Muggers - people who attack people in order to steal their money

Invaluable - very useful

Curve

Travel Advice
Going off and travelling alone can be a very _1_ experience as well as a great exercise in
personal development and a resounding statement of independence. But it's not just about
vainly trying your luck against the challenges that lie ahead. It's a steep learning _2_ that we
attempt to scale when we set off on an adventure alone for the first time and the thrill of
achieving such a goal does not come lightly.
Certain _3_ are required of a lone traveller to enable him or her to get by safely and securely.
Common sense and an acute sense of personal responsibility are also essential.
Doing as much research as you can squeeze into your life before you go helps to reap great
rewards later on. Learning about your destination(s) allows you to have a good idea of what to
expect and therefore a solid foundation on which to begin your adventure. Learning about
the _4_ cultural differences is essential, and learning a few words of the language doesn't go
amiss either.
Getting lost can open the door to an even more eventful adventure than you bargained for, but
it can often happen at the most inopportune times. A good map is _5_ and so is some
knowledge of the public transport system.
You're out to have a good time, of course, but remember that as a tourist you are a target for
thieves and _6_ and sometimes worse things. Getting excessively intoxicated with alcohol or
other substances makes you extremely _7_, not to mention the fact that it's dimly looked upon
by most other cultures. Penalties for flirtation with illegal substances can be more severe
outside of Europe too.
Taking care of yourself while travelling abroad on your own encompasses many things, from
protecting yourself from harm to staying healthy, from staying out of trouble to avoiding being

robbed. How to go about it begins with your own self-awareness, followed by some
thorough _8_, and rounded off with a nice helping of common sense.