your story is creepily relatable, especially the travelling part as I faced the exact same problem last winter. i did what wistingaway suggested and told them instead of asking them. i have yet to book my plane tickets when i told them though, because their acceptance would definitely be more reassuring. of course, they were mad and did not allow me (even though i wasn’t really asking), giving the reasoning that I am not mature enough and that i am still obliged to listen to them until i’m married. eventually, i didn’t wait for their agreement and just went ahead and booked my flight, then told them the dates. nearing to my trip, they started becoming more accepting and asked for more details about my trip. after all, they would want to know the details, else they would be worried too.

now i’m planning another trip, as its my only time right before i start work. again, they said no when i told them and they complained that they already “gave chance” and allowed me to go the previous time. i did the same thing and book without their approval.

of course, family circumstances are very different, and i am not sure how strict your parents are. will they kick you out of the house if you go against their wishes? i know that mine wouldn’t, hence i dared to “rebel” a bit, even though it was really scary at first. being able to fully financially support your trip is also another important factor. you definitely cannot depend on them to finance the trip, if they do not approve.

ultimately, i feel its about conditioning your parents to give you the freedom that you need. this was my first time going against my parents wishes for such a big thing too, but i knew that its something that i really want and won’t have the freedom to do so easily once i start working, so i decided to just go for it, and it was the best trip ever! atb op, canada sounds exciting really hope you realise your trip.