Inside the mind of a world traveller- Julia T. by Craig Alexander

 

By Craig Alexander


Hi! 

Thank you all for following this series of articles! Here I highlight and interview extraordinary personalties and world travelers that I've met while traveling the world myself. I hope you enjoy!

Name: Julia T.

Age: 18

Profession: Business Owner, Social Media Marketer.

CA:
Thanks for doing this interview! Can you start off by giving us a paragraph description of yourself, your travels and your entrepreneurial ventures?

JT:
Hey! Thanks so much for having me! I am from the beautiful state of Hawaii. I live in both Hawaii and Florida, going back and forth between the two every few months. 

I own a social media management company, which I started when I was 15 years old. 

CA:
Wow! That sounds fantastic! I believe I met you just over a year ago and have followed your travels all over the world since. The locations you visit look incredible! You seem to have a great love for life and this really shows from your posts.

JT:
Yes, I love traveling and all the fun learning experiences that go along with it.

CA:
Great! This being a travel blog, tell me about it! I know you've been all over the world. What was the most inspiring place you've ever been to?

JT:
Well, some notable places I’ve travelled are Hong Kong, Austria, Puerto Rico, Japan and Mexico! 



I’ve been inspired by every single place I’ve been to, whether a foreign country or another city in the US. Probably the single most inspiring place I’ve ever been to is Japan. My grandparents live in Japan, so I try to go every couple years.

Things are just so different over there - the culture, etiquette, social customs, stores, schools, government, everything. The Japanese people I’ve had opportunities to speak to conducted themselves with overwhelming amounts of respect and integrity. It’s extremely refreshing to hear viewpoints of those from another culture that live like that.

I’ve noticed that Japanese people in general are more open to speaking about wellbeing, wisdom, morals, family, spirituality and appreciation than I’m used to in America. The entire social culture is based around consideration of others, respect and hard work. Their products are of high quality, people work hard and have high morale, and it’s one of the world’s safest countries. Also one of the cleanest!

CA:
Wow! That sounds incredible! I've been to China, but have not yet made it to Japan. I'm scheduled to go later this year, and you've just given me even more reason to want to go!

What is your single greatest memory from that country?

JT:
Years ago, I attended school over there for a couple weeks over my summer break. The experience really opened my eyes up to a whole new world, life and culture I would’ve never known otherwise.

CA:
Wow. I can't wait to go. 
What do you think the biggest surprise is, when you travel to exotic places? I know for myself, there can be little things that one has just been so accustomed to living in the west, that we take for granted what other cultures might not have. Like 24 hour supermarkets, and having 15 food choices even at 3am!

JT:
Oh good question! Probably how everyday things I’m used to in America are so different elsewhere!

In Japan you don’t tip at restaurants.

In Austria (the city I was in, at least) literally every car I saw the entire time was one of 3 or 4 different high-end brands!



Food serving sizes are a lot smaller than America in many countries.

In Mexico you put used toilet paper in a trash can and not in the toilet!

CA:
Haha! That sounds rough! =)
When has travel really gone wrong for you? Tell me your most intense, shocking, crazy travel story. Don't hold back on the details either!

JT:
Aw man, I wish I had something really juicy for you. I was stopped by a TSA agent because apparently their machine detected something weird. They tested again and again and then brought me to a private little office, I was 15 at the time and that really freaked me out!

CA:
Would you recommend more people travel the world? Where would be the top 3 places you'd recommend people go?

JT:
YES!!! I absolutely recommend more people travel the world. Seeing the world and the different people, cultures, food, ways of living etc. is so eye-opening. It’s completely changed me as a person and my outlook on life. Out of the places that I’ve travelled to, I’d recommend:

– Japan (such a cool culture to experience).

– Hawaii (my home that I love with all my heart - the most beautiful and amazing  tropical paradise). 

– And probably Austria (so so so beautiful and different).

_If you haven’t been to New York City and Los Angeles, and you live in America, I think those are essential travel destinations as well.

CA:
I love your list!
When you have kids, where is the first place you'll take them outside the US, and why?

JT:
Hmm...I’d have to say Japan because my grandparents are there. Besides that, probably somewhere in Europe because it’s such a wonderful different world to experience there.

CA:
Would you recommend the every-day person travel the world? What benefits does it bring, if any?

JT:
I absolutely recommend the every-day person to travel the world. I think it’s quite easy to get caught up your own world - your family, friend group, co-workers, home, neighborhood, etc. in a daily, weekly, yearly routine. And it’s easy to think that’s how life is - how your life is.

CA:
What a great answer! I couldn't agree more.
What is the top of the mountain for you in your life endeavors? What do you want to achieve, were there no barriers whatsoever?

JT:
I want to help and inspire as many people as possible. I want to be a humanitarian, working with different social betterment movements to make a change in our culture.

I also want to be an artist, creating and inspiring people. I’d love to eventually start a school, be an author, be an entrepreneur and more.

Travel has had a huge part in that realization as well. I lived in quite a bubble most of my life. A really really nice bubble. I had a nice big home, nutritious food, loving family and a wonderful life. But traveling and meeting new people made me realize how not so perfect life is out there and how much I need to help make a change.

CA:
That's awesome that you want to do that! Based on what I've seen of you so far, I have no doubt you'll achieve all those goals.

Last question, where's your dream trip to? Tell me about it! When are going?

JT:
My two dream destinations are FIJI and ITALY! I love love love tropical places and the beach and sunlight. I’ve seen so many photos of Fiji’s over-water bungalows and I just dream about them!!!! Italy has always been so appealing to me. I have many Italian friends and I love their culture, warmth, food, fashion and just about everything! I have no trips planned yet, but I’d love to go very soon!!!!

CA:
I love it! I look forward to seeing the pictures. Thanks for the interview.

JT:
Thanks so much Craig!!!!  
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Follow Julia's travels and journey on her Instagram both the incredible page she built from scratch to a 65,000 person following, as well as her personal page!

Instagram:
@roomsworld  and
@juliataks