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20-year-old woman says ‘I’ve felt less safe traveling alone in America’ than in remote parts of India

The 20-year-old woman’s post about solo travelling in India and the USA has prompted varied responses.

Published on: Feb 2, 2026, 15:00:59 IST
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A 20-year-old traveller is sparking a viral debate after claiming she feels safer navigating the remote parts of India than travelling alone in the United States. Sharing her "controversial opinion" online, she described feeling a greater sense of security in isolated Indian regions compared to her experiences in America.

The solo traveller during her visit to the Taj Mahal, India. (X/@sophialeetravel)
The solo traveller during her visit to the Taj Mahal, India. (X/@sophialeetravel)

CONTROVERSIAL OPINION but I’ve felt less safe traveling alone in America as a young girl then in some of the most remote parts of India,” Sophia Lee tweeted.

How did social media react?

The post prompted a flurry of remarks on social media. While some agreed with Lee, others argued against it.

An individual posted, “America is super unsafe, man. I always felt those bad vibes out there!” Another added, “There are so many people that no one can really harass women. Travelling alone at night or something is probably something I will warn against.”

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A third commented, “Yes, everything is relative. One can say it is dirty, but saying it is unsafe would be a flat-out lie. People who have travelled across the world can vouch for this fact.” A fourth wrote, “That is true of men as well. Never felt safe travelling through remote areas of the Pacific Northwest or Oregon, or CA for that matter… while I have always felt safe in remote areas of Uttarakhand Himalayas… or deserts of Rajasthan or mountains of Arunachal India!

Who is Sophia Lee?

According to her LinkedIn bio, she is a 20-year-old filmmaker. She says she wants to become the “youngest and fastest person to visit every country in the world,” and her list includes both poles, too. In addition to Instagram and X, she regularly shares her travel content on TikTok.

(Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.)

  • Trisha Sengupta
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Trisha Sengupta

    Trisha Sengupta works as Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over six years of experience in the digital newsroom. Known for her ability to decode the internet’s most talked-about moments, she specialises in high-engagement storytelling that bridges the gap between viral trends and traditional journalism. Throughout her tenure, Trisha has focused on the intersection of technology, finance, and human emotion. She frequently covers personal finance and real estate struggles in hubs like Gurgaon, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, while also documenting the unique challenges of the NRI experience. Her work often highlights the movements and philosophies of global newsmakers and personalities like Elon Musk, Mukesh Ambani, Nikhil Kamath, Dubai crown prince, and MrBeast. From reporting on Amazon or Meta layoffs and startup culture to the emergence of AI-driven platforms like Grok and xAI, she provides a grounded and empathetic perspective on the stories shaping our world. When not decoding the internet, Trisha is likely offline: lost in a book, exploring a historical ruin, or navigating the world as a solo traveler. She balances her fast-paced career with family time and a healthy dose of curiosity, currently trading her "human" sources for silicon ones as she masters AI to future-proof her storytelling.Read More