Nicole Brewer

iluv2globetrot.com

Age: 33

Hometown: Detroit, MI

Quote: “I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move”.

Robert Louis Stevenson

How did you find out about Vagabonding, and how did you find it useful before and during the trip?

I learned about Vagabonding through a friend of mine and found that it spoke to me on different levels as a traveler at heart that loves trotting the globe.

How long were you on the road?

I’ve been living the expat lifestyle for over 5 years now.

Where did you go?

I’ve resided in South Korea for 3 years and travelled extensively through Asia in the process to places such as Cambodia, the Philippines and China. I’ve also lived in Oman a year. Additionally, I was as a graduate student in Germany and South Africa with a most recent trot back to Oman.

What was your job or source of travel funding for this journey?

I’ve taught English abroad to source my travels.

Did you work or volunteer on the road?

I’ve worked and volunteered. I volunteered for a Ngo while in South Africa researching and have taught English abroad.

Of all the places you visited, which was your favorite?

Australia

Was there a place that was your least favorite, or most disappointing, or most challenging?

Honestly I can’t say I’ve really been disappointed by any of the places I’ve trotted to. I take each destination with a grain of salt and welcome any challenges as a chance to grow as an individual.

Which travel gear proved most useful?  Least useful?

I find that as long as I have a good pair of trekking shoes and a scarf, I’m good for most of the places I’ve visited (thinking India and through SE Asia like Cambodia).

What are the rewards of the vagabonding lifestyle?

I feel that the rewards of living this lifestyle are that I’ve come to terms with who am and have grown so much as a person in the process. I’ve met some amazing people from around the world and now feel like such a global citizen.

What are the challenges and sacrifices of the vagabonding lifestyle?

One of the biggest challenges for me is being away from my friends and family for an extended period of time. Life does not end for those back home because you are away and I have to get used to trying to bridge the gap while I’m gone.

What lessons did you learn on the road?

I’ve learned to appreciate more than ever the little things while being away. People are too consumed with things and not experiences nowadays and I take so much great pleasure in the experiences that I have had while trotting the globe and the amazing relationships that I have made with people I would not have the opportunity to meet while staying put at home.

How did your personal definition of “vagabonding” develop over the course of the trip?

My definition of vagabonding would be allowing yourself the opportunity to bond with people and cultures in a unique environment separate from your own.

If there was one thing you could have told yourself before the trip, what would it be?

Walk in your purpose with confidence. I would have convinced myself to do it earlier actually.

Any advice or tips for someone hoping to embark on a similar adventure?

I would tell them to just do it. Set your goals and go. Don’t let fear deter you from living the life you want and to experience new things.

When and where do you think you’ll take your next long-term journey?

That is the million dollar question. I’m still debating if I can see myself staying another year in the Middle East or trotting to a new destination as either an ESL teacher or on the non-profit sector, what my MA program focus is in that I’m currently completing. Stay tuned to I Luv 2 Globe Trot to find out.

 

Read more about Nicole on her blog,  I LUV 2 Globe Trot, or follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

Website: I LUV 2 Globe Trot

Twitter: @iluv2globetrot