The Joy of Travel: Unlocking the World's Classroom with Yasmine El Baggari

 INTRO:

           Traveling is more than just a journey from one place to another; it's a profound human experience that can transform lives, bridge cultures, and break down stereotypes. Meet Yasmine El Baggari, a spirited master's student whose wanderlust has taken her to all 50 states, and then to 50 countries. She didn't just breeze through these places; she immersed herself, staying with over 250 families, riding Greyhound buses, and forming thousands of genuine connections. But Yasmine's story isn't just about personal exploration; it's about the educational benefits of travel and how she's leveraging her experiences to make the world a smaller, friendlier place. Join us on this adventure as we explore the world through Yasmine's eyes and discover how her venture, Voyaj, is rewriting the rules of cultural exchange with a dash of humor and humanity.

Outlines:

• Breaking Stereotypes, One State at a Time
• The Birth of Voyaj: Where Connections Flourish
• A Harvard iLab Venture: Where Education Meets Connection
• Travel in the Time of COVID-19: A New Era of Connection
• The Road Ahead: From Earth to the Stars

Breaking Stereotypes, One State at a Time:

Imagine being a 17-year-old girl from Morocco, living in Kansas as part of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange program. The odds are, you'd be spending your time trying to fit in, maybe even pondering whether your fellow Kansans had ever heard of Morocco. But not Yasmine El Baggari. She decided that she wanted to see the United States in all its glory, one Greyhound bus ride at a time. "If I can break down stereotypes in Kansas," she quips, "I can do it in all 50 states." And so, her grand adventure began. Yasmine's quest was far from ordinary. She wasn't interested in snapping selfies at landmarks and ticking off items from a tourist checklist. No, she wanted to understand the heart and soul of America by living with its people. From Kansas to California, from Maine to Hawaii, she stayed with over 250 families, sharing their homes, their lives, and their stories. She didn't just see America; she became a part of it.

The Birth of Voyaj: Where Connections Flourish:

Yasmine accumulated a wealth of experiences, tales, and acquaintances from all around the world as her travels proceeded through college and afterward. Her passion for fostering genuine connections and dismantling cultural stereotypes led her to a groundbreaking idea – the birth of Voyaj. Voyaj isn't your run-of-the-mill travel company. It's a bridge between hearts and cultures. Yasmine claims that by connecting people of all ages with people in their chosen country who share their interests and values, they can develop deeper relationships and  understanding of the culture through their lens." It's like having a friend in every city you visit, someone who not only shows you the touristy spots but also invites you into their homes, their traditions, and their lives. Currently being piloted with select communities, Voyaj has already facilitated journeys to more than 40 countries, including France, Morocco, and the United States. Hosts open their homes to travelers, who in turn open their hearts and minds to embrace new cultures. The Voyaj process is designed to be as simple as booking a flight or a hotel – just hop on their website, sign up, arrange homestays, and share your stories with fellow travelers.

A Harvard iLab Venture: Where Education Meets Connection:

Yasmine's work at Voyaj has found a nurturing home at the Harvard iLab. It's not just a business for her; it's a mission to promote global understanding through authentic connections. Her experiences traveling and interacting with diverse individuals have provided valuable insights into human behavior and cross-cultural connections. She believes that understanding these factors is the key to breaking down stereotypes, even when walls and borders stand in the way. "It is so important to realize that we aren't really that different," Yasmine muses, "and that we can embrace any perceived or real differences and identify our commonalities." In a world often divided by prejudice and misunderstanding, Voyaj offers a glimmer of hope – a chance for people to come together, learn from one another, and realize that our shared humanity transcends all boundaries.

Travel in the Time of COVID-19: A New Era of Connection:

When COVID-19 swept across the globe, it brought international travel to a screeching halt. But Yasmine and Voyaj weren't ready to give up on the power of connection. They adapted and created remote opportunities for people yearning for social interaction. While virtual experiences may lack the allure of in-person encounters, they've addressed some of the social ills exacerbated by the pandemic, such as loneliness and isolation. Yasmine reflects, "That's one of the positive sides of COVID: More communities are looking to connect and to do so more deeply." In times of isolation, people have yearned for meaningful connections, and these virtual experiences have proven to be a lifeline. It's a reminder that even in the face of adversity, human connection prevails.

The Road Ahead: From Earth to the Stars:

As Yasmine continues to steer Voyaj toward new horizons, she's also set her sights on a different kind of journey – one that's truly out of this world. Her ultimate travel goal is to become an astronaut through Space For Humanity's sponsored citizen astronaut mission. With the support of her global team, she's running pilots for the upcoming Voyaj app and forming partnerships with other exchange and travel organizations in the United States, New Zealand, Morocco, and beyond. For Yasmine, travel isn't just about the places; it's about the people.She enthusiastically declares, "I think we have the chance to gain knowledge at any point from every contact. "We're here, and alive! We've got to connect, to open and share our cultures, and realize who we truly are." Through Voyaj, Yasmine El Baggari is proving that the world is indeed our classroom, and every traveler is a student eager to learn and grow through the shared experiences of our global family. So, fasten your seatbelts and get ready for a journey like no other – the journey of a lifetime with Yasmine and Voyaj.