Hi! I’m Alexandra. You can call me Alex.
I was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, one of the most diverse cities in the world. I recently graduated from university, and even though I’m starting my career as a teacher, I cannot forget about my first passion: travelling. I am a proud country-counter (sorry if you’re not), and have been to 29 countries so far, all of which happened by travelling sporadically for the first 20 years of my life, and intensely for the last four. One of my goals was to get to 25 by 25, and I made it this year – a year early!
When did the travel bug bite?
Growing up, my parents took my sister and I wherever they could. We went on a lot of camping trips, and took short visits to neighbouring cities. Very occasionally, we would find ourselves on a plane down south. When I was in grade 12, my parents encouraged me to go on the school trip to Europe during March Break with an educational tour group called EF Tours. Off I went for 10 days, travelling without my family for the first time. I am always thankful to my parents for having sent me on that trip; if I hadn’t gone, I don’t think I would have caught the travel bug as early as I did. Upon coming home, I realized two things: first, that I hated organized tours, and second, that a trip like that could be done on a much cheaper budget.
I spent the next two years saving and imagining that I would re-visit Europe on my own itinerary. Finally, at 20 years old, I embarked on my first big, international trip: I spent 6 weeks backpacking around Western Europe with my older sister and two friends. The length and rigor of such a trip was previously unheard of by our friends and family, who were all concerned for our safety (a concern that never goes away). Despite everyone’s fears, we made it home with only minimal scarring. That trip turned out to be a cornerstone in my travel journey.
Since that backpacking trip in 2015, my sister and I have travelled somewhere new at least once a year, while managing full-time school and part-time work. (Wondering how? Check out some of my money-saving tips here!) These were all short trips during holidays or breaks from school, but on top of that, I craved to experience life away from home for the long-term. In 2016, I participated in a 5-week exchange program to Quebec, which rekindled my love for the province and the French language. In 2017, I did a 3-month internship with a conservation NPO in South Africa.
What now?
I am now a certified teacher with a job at an international school in Shanghai. The move to China was a big decision, fuelled ultimately by my desire to see more of the world and experience teaching and working in a country different than my own. Is my entire family on board with this idea? Not really, but here’s how I deal with that.
I invite you to follow along, and maybe find some inspiration along the way.
As for me…
I opened my heart to travelling, and I fell in love with the world.