“Taking that first step was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done,” says the 31-year-old.

Her go-with-the-flow journey included stops in France, Italy, Croatia, Greece and Turkey. She stayed with kind families or camped in the wild, her stories shared on social platforms under “Journey From The Road”.

Before entering Turkey, Qiu was nervous. “I didn’t know a lot about Turkey, and knew it was very different from Europe,” she says. “But from the time I crossed the border it was amazing.

“I met countless Turkish families who shared their food, culture and their home. I was a stranger but they treated me like a sister, a grandchild, a daughter. They made me feel at home.”

Later this month, Qiu resumes her journey, starting in Turkey with plans to bike through Asia.

“Many of the families I stayed with lost friends, relatives and houses, so this is my way of giving back.”

While families were “super hospitable” during her travels, Qiu says it took time for her parents to approve her lifestyle choices.

“I’m from Chinese descent – my parents immigrated from China to Spain in the ’80s and my brother and I were born and raised here,” she says.

“They would rather have me in a stable job with a big company and leading a traditional life with a kid and car,” she says. “But now they know that this is serious and are better about it.”

While the dangers of solo travel, especially for women, are often discussed, less is said about the positives.

Hong Kong-based psychotherapist Katrina Rozga says that, while it is not for everyone, those who travel alone can discover numerous health benefits.

“Solo travel requires the ability to adapt to new situations, sometimes with very little notice, as well as in-the-moment problem solving if things don’t go to plan,” she says.

Facing difficult situations in an unfamiliar environment without a known support system forces a person to cope outside their comfort zone, Rozga adds.

“This creates mental and emotional resilience which can help you deal with difficulties at home.”

“The best things that happened in my journey were unplanned,” says Qiu. “It can be stressful on your mental and physical health, but it’s important to listen to your mind and body. You also have to learn to stop. It’s not worth pushing your body and getting injured.”

Not relying on or catering to anyone else can also be a liberating experience, says Rozga.

“It allows a person to fully relax, going with whatever activities they want in that moment.”

It can also deliver a more immersive experience.

“Individuals might participate in different activities and experiences, resulting in conversations with people who they may not have spoken to if travelling with a companion,” says Rozga.

“That exposure to new places, new people and new experiences can expand someone’s world view.”

Building tolerance is another benefit, adds Rozga. “When people travel alone, they seek out conversation or companionship from others who they might not interact with in their day-to-day life.

“We learn to become tolerant of those who are different from us to meet our social, emotional and travel needs,” she says. “The lessons we learn along the way also lead to us being more open to new perspectives.”

And alone time – “a chance to discover more about who you are and what you want in life” – should not be underestimated, says Rozga.

“We spend so much time in a stimulating world, so taking time away to be alone is very beneficial.”