Embarking on a life filled with adventure, thrill, and a deep love for nature, my travel journey has taken me through 50 countries, each marking a unique chapter in my exploration of the world. As an African-American woman, traveling to Africa in 2016 was a pivotal experience and profoundly connected me to my roots. I, along with many other Black Americans face confusion when understanding our ancestral roots due to the aftermath of the Trans Atlantic Slave trade. Travel has helped me foster a profound sense of cultural identity and belonging that resonates deeply within me.
Visiting the Elmina Slave Castle, where my ancestors were likely shipped from, unlocked a life-altering sense of purpose and direction. Since then, I have seen travel as less of a hobby, and more as a core aspect of me becoming immersed in my unique identity, living out the rich history my ancestors passed on.
My travel journey began with family vacations aboard cruises to the Caribbean, and led to traveling through school programs to a diverse range of destinations. I have been awarded amazing life lessons in each country I’ve stepped foot in. Knowing me, is knowing this journey. So join me, as I share my life story and how travel has woven into being an integral part of my identity.
Countries 1-10: Family Vacations and the Love for Adventure
In the early years, family vacations were synonymous with cruises. Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruises became our go-to choices, as these pre-made trip packages were the most convenient for our family of four. I soon found myself fascinated by the unique features of each ship, knowing the entire fleet of ships by name, and how many waterslides they each had. As early as elementary school, I informally became the family trip planner, negotiating deals with cruises (with the support of my mother), and organizing excursions that met everyone’s needs, all while staying within the family’s frugal travel budget. Cruising across the Caribbean and Mexico, I developed a love for adventure and thrill-seeking activities that set the foundation for my interest in exploration.
Countries 11-20: Culture Shock & Study Abroad Programs
The transition to college brought new travel opportunities, as I participated in school study abroad programs and was blessed with the opportunity to visit my ancestral homeland. I used school scholarships, and fellowships to afford the ability to make the world my oyster. Timidly venturing outside North America for the first time, I faced cultural shock head-on. I was met with new adventures in Ecuador, where I volunteered with indigenous locals in the Amazon; Ghana, where I visited historic slave castles and came to know my African roots; and Thailand, where I discovered my love for nature and wildlife. I was stretched beyond belief, challenging myself in new ways, and inquisitively learning about the world’s culture.
During this time, my most notable adventure was studying in Budapest, Hungary for four months, the longest I had ever been away from home. This period marked my deep understanding and love for international cultures. I was learning to reach outside my comfort zone, becoming more independent, and living like a local. As we checked cities off of our bucket lists, only familiar through our social studies textbooks, group trips became a part of our weekend norm. I explored Europe through the lens of new friendships and became the go-to person for travel planning. Armed with a big suitcase, carry-on, and backpack, I embraced the welcoming communities of Budapest while savoring the freedom to explore.
Countries 21-30: Founding JadaSimone.com
As I entered my twenties, I founded JadaSimone.com, turning my passion for travel into a creative outlet, and sharing my experiences with the world. Traveling more intimately with my twin sister, I gained a deep love and appreciation for our bond as twins.
Using the funds from an undergraduate scholarship, I was awarded the opportunity to flow seamlessly through the stunning countries of Southeast Asia. We planned as we went, and stretched our money as far as possible. The frugality that was deeply rooted in me from my early days, was the foundation that fueled my money management skills. I founded my blog with the mission of “See as much of the world for as little as possible.”
A one-month backpacking trip through Southeast Asia, with just one Osprey backpack and $1,000, turned into a transformative cultural, personal, and intellectual experience. I pushed myself to take risks, learned fast, and had a blast. This is when I noticed my shift to a more minimalist travel style. I was comfortable traveling with little, focusing on appreciating the memories around me.
Countries 31-40: Cultural Immersion
The journey continued with deep cultural immersion as I spent an extended period in Africa. I was learning about my cultural roots through the profound history of South Africa. I was deepening my fascination with wild animals on the safaris in Botswana. I lived on the wild side while bungee jumping in Zimbabwe. Finally, I was volunteering and living out my passion for financial literacy in the communities of Zambia. While it is still unclear which country my family originated from in Africa, I felt at home in them all. I deeply connected with culture, community, and people that made me feel anew.
Additionally, this period of adventure launched me onto my first solo trip. I had built confidence from prior trips and successful group travel planning that I felt confident to do it on my own. I felt free, living my dreams just the way I wanted to. Instead of crossing off countries, I was taking the time to deeply immerse myself in the world around me.
Countries 41-50: Traveling through the lens of HBS
The final leg of my 50-country journey culminated at HBS. I traveled with HBS classmates, visiting their homeland in places I never thought possible. I spent 3 days with my section mate in her homeland, Slovakia, visiting the local sites through the lens of a native. I took group trips to new and old countries, all while gaining lifelong friends along the way. I launched fully into my expertise of trip planning and logistics, planning a weekend retreat for 175 members of the African-American Student Union.
Now what’s next?
Looking forward, my goal is to continue to immerse myself in cultures to give back. From building more fertile farmland for indigenous communities in Ecuador, to teaching abandoned elementary children in the rural villages in Kumasi, Ghana, to helping create climate-forward solutions in Mumbai, India, I have centered my travels around service. With this, I look forward to the exciting opportunities I have to be a resource to those around me. My goal as I transition into this new chapter, is to think more deeply about my future impact on the world.
My travel evolution reflects a shift from family vacations to solo travel and immersion, from pre-planned trips to self-planned adventures, from a maximalist to a minimalist approach, and from checking countries off my bucket list to deep cultural enlightenment. Each phase of my journey has been a valuable lesson, shaping me into a well-rounded and culturally aware traveler. As I continue to explore, I look forward to new adventures and the endless possibilities the world offers. I’m discovering who I am, one country at a time. I’m excited to discover what’s next, as a leave a mark on this world that is greater than I could imagine!
Comment below with your favorite country visit and how traveling has impacted your life story.
