ali.ab.alhebshiGrowing up in Yemen, I always had this intense curiosity to explore the world beyond my borders. However, in my conservative and traditional society, people were always reminding me of the dangers and difficulties I’d face in a foreign land. Plus, I was broke as hell, so it felt like my dream was out of reach. But, I never gave up.
I did my best in high school, and as a result, I won a scholarship for my academic excellence! It gave me the chance to travel to different parts of the world, and I am so grateful for this opportunity. The experience of traveling has been transformative for me in so many ways. It all started off by spending three months in Sudan to get my French visa, and it was a wild experience! I was surrounded by people who spoke the same language as mine but with another accent and different culture. It was tough at times, but it was also exhilarating to be out of my comfort zone and learning new things every day.
Three months later, I landed in Europe, in France to be precise. Being here, I had the chance to meet people from all over the globe and we shared stories about our different backgrounds. I went to other European countries like Austria, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Switzerland, Luxembourg and the Czech Republic. Each with its own unique language, culture, and history. It was freaking cool to connect with people despite our differences and learn about their way of life. What really stuck with me was the people I met along the way. I learned so much from them, and I hope they learned something from me too.
Honestly, traveling has transformed me in ways I never imagined. It’s made me way more open-minded, understanding, and appreciative of different cultures and ways of life. And for sure, it helped me improve my communication skills, as now I can speak in four different languages! Traveling made me realize that the world is a big, beautiful, and diverse place, and that we all have something to learn from each other despite our differences. And let me tell you, the journey ain’t over yet! There’s so much more for me to discover and experience out there.
So, if you’re thinking of taking the leap and traveling, I say go for it! It can be scary, but it’s also the most rewarding thing you’ll ever do. You’ll discover so much about yourself and the world around you. Trust me, the world is a huge, beautiful place with endless opportunities to learn and grow.