There’s a unique kind of joy in traveling solo—navigating new cultures, making spontaneous connections, and, of course, discovering new ways to embarrass yourself on an international stage. My contribution to this tradition was falling into a freezing lake in Kazakhstan. During my senior year of college, I spent my final semester wandering through South America…
I Visited 7 West African Coastlines. Here Are My Rankings.
After spending years traveling across South America, Europe, and Asia during college and grad school, I made a conscious effort to explore more of my home region—West Africa. The region is blessed with stunning Atlantic coastlines, offering some of the most breathtaking sunsets I’ve ever witnessed. Over the past year, I visited seven West African…
24 Countries I Visited in 2024: Year Recap (Part 2)
While the first half of my 2024 travels started in Africa, the second half was where Africa truly shone. This leg of my journey included some of the most breathtaking landscapes, immersive cultural experiences, and, of course, my unforgettable birthday trip. Traveling across Southern and West Africa, as well as making stops in North America…
24 Countries I Visited in 2024: Year Recap (Part 1)
This post is coming a little late—it’s already late January—but since this entire blog is retrospective, nothing is ever truly “too late.” 2024 was another incredible year of travel. What set it apart from previous years was that I took relatively fewer solo trips. I visited 24 countries in total, 20 of them new, and…
My Global Good Samaritan Encounters That Will Restore Your Faith in Humanity (Part 3)
Welcome back to the third installment of my feel-good travel stories! If you haven’t already, check out Part 1 and Part 2. I started this series to highlight the unexpected kindness I’ve encountered while traveling, especially in places that might have mixed reputations. Often, we’re advised to be overly cautious in new destinations, but my…
How I Ended Up on National News During America Day in Moldova
No, you won’t find my face plastered across the front page of any Moldovan newspaper with a wild headline—haha! My brief moment of fame lasted all of five seconds as B-roll footage on Europa Libera‘s coverage of America Day in Chisinau, back in May 2023 (see screenshot for proof). It all started when I was in…
7 Photo Comparisons That Prove Everywhere In The World Actually Looks The Same (Part 2)
I ended Part 1 of this series by saying that it was just the tip of the iceberg. The world is full of striking similarities across borders, and I’m back with more examples to prove it. In this follow-up, I’ll continue to show that you don’t need to visit one specific destination to have the…
7 Photo Comparisons That Prove Everywhere In The World Actually Looks The Same (Part 1)
Earlier this year, a friend from Argentina responded to one of my stories while I was in Eswatini, surprised by how much it resembled his hometown. I could totally relate—I’ve had countless moments of déjà vu throughout my travels. I always tell people not to worry about FOMO when it comes to travel because, in…
5 Underrated Countries You Need To Visit Before They Become Popular (Part 2)
As an avid traveler, I’m always on the lookout for hidden gems—destinations that don’t get the attention they deserve but are every bit as stunning as the more popular spots. That’s why I started the “Underrated Countries” series on this blog. The response to the first post was overwhelmingly positive, so I’m excited to continue…
5 Underrated Countries You Need To Visit Before They Become Popular (Part 1)
People often ask me about my favorite travel destinations, and I’ve found that my top picks aren’t always the places where I had the “most amazing” experiences but those that surprised me the most. These destinations are memorable because they exceeded my expectations in various ways. A lot of countries that fly under the radar…
