In 2010, we started what would become Actuality Abroad with one simple idea: what if we could combine meaningful travel with stories that inspire hope? Back then, we didn’t know exactly what it would grow into, but we knew we wanted to create something that mattered.
Humans are doers. When faced with crisis, we feel better if we can ‘do’ something in response. You don’t have to be on the frontlines of a battle to contribute. As a storyteller, you can wield influence from wherever you are. Stories may seem insignificant in the face of death and destruction but remember, they are how we got ourselves in this mess to begin with.
Right now, for Ukraine and as anti-war global citizens who stand in opposition to any group that seeks power through violence, we CAN take action.
As a traveler, when you take up the mantle of a citizen storyteller, you now have a purpose to frame all of your future journeys. You can experience destinations from the perspective of the people who live there, develop relationships with remarkable humans who live differently than you, and use your travels to contribute in a useful, meaningful way.
Becoming a citizen storyteller enables deeper connection with yourself, your community, the causes you care about and the world you live in.
Each time you embark upon learning-led travels you tap into the spirit of possibility. Arriving with the curiosity of a student-of-the-world opens you to having new experiences. You consider alternate points of view and are motivated to dig deeper into what you don’t understand.
What we do at Actuality Abroad hinges on the existence of changemakers.
Changemakers are individuals or organizations who develop innovative and sustainable solutions to chronic social or environmental problems found in their communities. Some changemakers shift the course of human development, earning them international recognition and a permanent place in our histories. Yet, much more often, changemakers are known only in their own communities.