How do you convince your parents to let you solo travel to a different country?

I’m 18 years old, from the USA, and have been dreaming of solo traveling for my graduation gift since I was a Freshman in high-school. I have discussed this dream with my parents every year, and they always seemed to be on board with it.

Now that I am finally a senior, I decided that I wanted to travel to Switzerland for about a week with my best friend soon after graduation and before college.

My mom threw a fit, saying that Switzerland isn’t safe for two 18 yro women alone, and that she doesn’t want me going unless we go on a group tour. My best friend and I do not want to go on a group tour, but my mom is being very stubborn about it. I have done an extreme amount of research and have presented her with all of my plans (travel passes for public transport, hostels, hike information, etc.) and facts about the country yet she refuses to listen. I have close friends who will be in France, Germany, and Spain with their families at the same time that I am aiming to travel, along with two contacts within Switzerland itself, and my best friend who will be traveling with me. I have travelled my entire life, and have flown alone multiple times. I am very independent and very streetsmart. I know enough French to get me by. My family has Life360 and I promised a daily check-in plan. I have been boxing for three years and can very efficiently defend myself if need be.

Past Reddit posts all have said to just go, but I don’t have enough money myself for the plane tickets. I am employed but I do not have enough time to save up, for by the time I get the money, everything will definitely be completely booked and the plane tickets will probably have sky rocketed past my original financial goal. I can pay for everything else, but I cannot just go and tell my parents once I’m already there.

I’m really anxious that this trip won’t happen. I understand that my mom is scared, but I really want this. This graduation gift is more than just traveling: It is about autonomy and exposing myself to spectacular nature and a new culture in order to feel free after 4 extremely stressful years. It is something that I feel like I really need to do, especially since I am young. Am I being unreasonable?

If anyone has been in a similar situation, what did you do to convince your parents? is there any specific itinerary in Switzerland I should stick to instead, or anything that might help me and my situation?

any help would be appreciated :)