Often, as a full time traveler from the United States, I find myself having the same conversation over and over again. I will be talking with someone abroad, and I can almost feel myself being placed into the category of “the American,” hearing the same perspective that Americans are stereotypically globally unaware, geographically unaware, culturally unaware, and among the least likely to leave their country in the Western world.
And honestly, it is not to say that this is not true. From my own personal experience, I have seen that Americans can lack a broader global understanding of the world, something I have found many people in other countries tend to have more naturally. Whether it is knowing where places are on a map, understanding different cultures, religions, or ways of life, there is often a noticeable gap. And a lot of that gap comes down to our global perspective.
But I also like to argue that there is a reason for it.
Coming from a country that is constantly in the spotlight, we are always in the news. We are one of the defining forces of pop culture, music, movies, and media, and because of that, the rest of the world is always watching us. Everyone knows our artists. Everyone knows our films. Everyone knows our politics. And when so much of the world’s attention is focused on you, it can subtly create the illusion that everything revolves around you, even if it does not.
That does not excuse the gap, but it helps explain it.
As a traveler, and as someone who actively seeks cultural exchange, unique experiences, and life changing connections with people around the world, I want nothing more than for Americans to understand that there is so much more out there. The world is massive. It is layered, complex, and endlessly diverse. And even though the United States is often described as a melting pot of cultures, it is still incredibly important to understand what exists beyond our borders, to be aware of the people, traditions, and perspectives that shape the rest of the world.
I also know that as one person from Connecticut, living life on the road, I am not going to change that stereotype overnight. I hear it constantly. It comes up in conversations again and again, no matter where I go. And for a while, it felt like something too big to even attempt to shift.
So I decided to approach it differently.
One person at a time.
Through my social media, through my blog, through conversations, I wanted to start inspiring people to see that there is more to life than just the nine to five, more than just the country we grow up in. That sometimes stepping outside of what is familiar, what is comfortable, is exactly what we need. That experiencing something different, whether it is a new culture, a new way of life, or even just a new perspective, can completely change the way we see the world.
Travel is one of the most powerful tools for growth and learning. And I want as many people as possible to experience that.
So I created a project.
About two years ago, while planning a nine month backpacking trip, I started something small with my older sister’s third grade classroom. Every Friday, I would send the class a video showing where I was in the world, what I had been doing that week, what I had learned, what I had seen, what I had eaten, and who I had met. I invited the students to ask me questions, and each week I would answer them in the next video.
It became a back and forth. A connection.
I wanted them to feel like they were traveling with me. I wanted them to see what I was seeing, to learn what I was learning, and to hear firsthand about experiences outside of their everyday lives. More than anything, I wanted to show them that there is more out there and that exploring it is possible, that nothing is out of reach.
After that nine month backpacking trip, I did not expect to continue traveling, but I did. It became my full time lifestyle. And with that, I realized it was time to expand the project.
Over the past year, I opened it up to any teacher who wanted to be part of it. It became a free resource, weekly videos sent every Friday to classrooms across the country. And it grew quickly. What started as one classroom turned into over 150 teachers across more than 30 states, ranging from kindergarten all the way through high school.
And that growth showed me something powerful.
Kids are curious, but so are adults.
The teachers are just as engaged as the students. My mom shares the videos on Facebook, and her friends watch them every week. They tell me they are learning something new each time. Sometimes the lessons are simple, what I ate, where I went. Other times they are more complex, cultural differences, traditions, ways of life. But no matter what, people are learning.
I have had people tell me they have never even heard of certain countries until they saw one of my videos. Others have said they never thought certain experiences were possible until they watched them unfold. And to be able to spark that kind of curiosity, to open that kind of door, is something I do not take lightly.
Because at the core of all of this, it is about more than just travel.
It is about understanding.
It is about realizing that the world is not only vast and beautiful, but also filled with people who are kind, generous, and welcoming, no matter how different we may seem. Especially in a time where we are constantly exposed to conflict, division, and issues both in our country and globally, it becomes even more important to remember that connection still exists, that kindness still exists.
Travel has taught me that.
And I want it to teach others too, especially younger generations who will carry these perspectives forward into the future.
The biggest thing I have learned is this, travel is life’s greatest lesson. It is the greatest classroom I will ever be part of. It is an education that goes far beyond anything I could have learned within four walls.
And if there is anything I hope to do, it is to inspire others to seek that same education, to step outside of what they know, to understand the world around them, and to feel empowered to experience it for themselves.
Because the reality is, a huge portion of Americans have never left the country. They have never experienced a place that does not use the US dollar, that does not primarily speak English, that does not operate within what feels familiar or comfortable. They have not stepped into that discomfort, and with it, that growth.
And that is exactly the gap I am trying to bridge.
Through my project, now known as Worldwisefridays, my goal is to challenge that stereotype, to inspire, to educate, to inform, and to open doors for anyone. Whether it is a second grade student, a fifth grade teacher, or someone who has been following along for years and is just waiting for the moment they feel ready to go.
Because it is possible for all of us.
Whether you are young, retired, or somewhere in between, you have the ability to explore what is out there, to learn, to grow, and to become more aware of the people who share this planet with you.
And in doing so, I truly believe it teaches acceptance. It teaches open mindedness. It teaches love.
This project has become something I care deeply about. It has shown me not only how lucky I am to live the life I do, but also how important it is to share it. And I am so grateful that we live in a time where I can do that, through social media, through writing, and through simple tools like FaceTime and text.
If you are reading this and you know a teacher or anyone in education who would want to be part of something like this, I would love for them to join. The goal is simple, to help bridge the gap, one classroom at a time.
The project is called Worldwisefridays, and you can sign up at worldwisefridays.com. Feel free to share it with any educators, schools, or districts that might be interested.
It would mean everything to me to see it continue to grow and continue inspiring people to see just how big and how beautiful this world really is.
Livslifeoncam 
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