From as far back as I can remember, I’ve always dreamed of journeys—of stepping out into the world, soaking in its colors, its cultures, and its stories. As a child, I was fortunate that my parents took me to places like the United States, Japan, and Malaysia. But in college, I decided it was time to take the leap on my own—and I traveled to 11 countries entirely on my own terms.

Every week during my spare time, I worked as a math tutor for middle school students. It was both rewarding and challenging—explaining algebraic mysteries to kids while managing my own college workload. In addition to tutoring, I took internships and even ventured into investing in funds to accumulate wealth. Slowly but surely, I saved enough to turn my dream into reality.

With my hard-earned savings, I embarked on an unforgettable journey that took me to France, Italy, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Germany, Belgium, and Austria. Most of these adventures were solo trips, where I navigated unfamiliar streets, tasted local cuisines, and embraced the thrill of the unknown. Before each trip, I meticulously planned my routes, researched local customs, and sought out the best sights and delicacies to experience.

The best journeys answer questions that in the beginning you didn’t even think to ask.

–Jeff Johnson


Memorable Faces, Unforgettable Stories

But the heart of these trips lay not just in the destinations but in the connections I made along the way. I vividly remember jamming with an Australian guitarist on a plane, receiving a perfectly framed photo from a kind French man with a disability in front of the Louvre, and playing a spontaneous volleyball match with high school students on a beach in Vietnam. There were also the grandmother I met in a Dutch pub and the Taiwanese woman in her sixties who had spent years traveling the globe. They all opened my eyes to the infinite possibilities of life, inspiring me to forge my own path forward.

These encounters were more than just travel memories; they were lessons in empathy, courage, and the beauty of human connection. Each person I met, and each place I visited, became a chapter in a story I never wanted to end.

  • I turned independence into a passport to the world, taking bold steps toward new horizons and diverse connections.

Through this journey, I learned that independence isn’t just about taking care of yourself—it’s about taking the leap, stepping out of your comfort zone, and opening your heart to the people and places that make our world extraordinary. And I am deeply grateful to my parents for their unwavering support, which made all of this possible.