The first black woman to travel to every country in the world reveals what she REALLY learned from her adventures

The first black woman to visit every country in the world has revealed some of the things she’s learned from her extensive travels, including the importance of tipping and seeing the good in others.

Jessica NabongoThe 40-year-old from Detroit set out to visit all 195 countries recognized by the United Nations in 2017. Two and a half years later, she completed the challenge, with her final destination being the Seychelles.

Visiting Peru for the second time with an adventure tour operator G Adventures Speaking at a global summit on community-based tourism, the globetrotter said the most important lesson she has learned is that “most people are good.”

On the topic of human kindness, the Ugandan American said, “There’s an assumption that a stranger can be dangerous, rather than seeing a stranger as a friend you haven’t met yet.

“The sad thing is that we have come to fear others – we always have our senses open. I am not like that. I have never used a hotel safe, for example. Traveling to every country has confirmed that most people are good.”

Jessica Nabongo, 40, from Detroit, set out in 2017 to visit all 195 countries recognized by the United Nations. Two and a half years later, she completed the challenge

During her journey Jessica visited 89 countries on her own, including Iraq, Sudan and Iran. Pictured above in Antarctica

During her trip, Jessica independently visited 89 countries, including Iraq, Sudan and Iran.

Although she said many people advised her not to travel to these places alone, she went anyway and ended up having “some of the most amazing experiences.”

For example, while she was in Iraq, at one point she felt “exhausted” and asked the driver she had hired to take her back to her hotel.

However, she was surprised when he invited her to his home for a lunch prepared by his wife.

“We sat on the floor and ate… it was such an amazing experience. That would never happen in New York,” Jessica mused.

Another encounter that taught her to recognize the good in people took place in Lagos.

The explorer said: ‘Somehow in Lagos I got into the car and dropped my mobile phone.

‘I opened the Find My iPhone feature on my laptop and started looking for my phone. Losing your phone while traveling internationally is the worst thing in the world!’

As for her smart travel tips, Jessica has a collection up her sleeve. Pictured here, she enjoys sailing the azure waters around Haiti

The globetrotter has built up a loyal following on social media, with over 253,000 followers on Instagram. Pictured at Horseshoe Canyon in Utah

‘At first the phone was off, but two hours later I checked it again and it was on and this man answered. We then arranged to meet the man.

When we met him, It was clear he hadn’t eaten or showered and he said he found the phone in a parking lot on the way to church.

“It was a reminder not to assume the worst. He could have sold the phone and made money. In return, I gave him food and some money.”

The second important lesson Jessica learned is that “we are more alike than we are different.”

She explained: ‘We live in strange times, with great wars and political divisions, but we are all only human.

‘All we want is food, clothing, shelter, love. We are getting further and further away from that.

‘We are all human and we must return to human kindness.’

Jessica, who began traveling internationally at the age of four, has a whole collection of smart travel tips up her sleeve.

Jessica started traveling internationally at the age of four

First, she advises traveling to places that are “lesser known” and to countries “where your tourism will have much more impact.”

She also encourages seeking out “authentic experiences” rather than massively advertised tourist traps.

When she travels, the content creator asks locals at her hotel where they eat or what their recommendations are for activities.

Jessica also advocates for ’empathy’ and what she ‘can’t stand’ is travellers taking photos of locals without permission.

She says about this: ‘Imagine a complete stranger coming to your country and taking a picture of you and your child.

“Don’t do that to other people. It’s just weird… taking a camera and taking a picture of a woman breastfeeding in a market or something.”

Finally, Jessica emphasizes the importance of tipping abroad, even if it’s only a small amount.

The self-proclaimed ‘hyper tipper’ concludes: ‘Think about it, $5 can mean so much to someone in another country.

“For example, I was in Venezuela in 2019 and I had a handler. At the end of the trip, I gave him a $5 tip and after we talked, I found out that it was actually the equivalent of a monthly salary.

“When I left, I gave him another $20 and we both sat in the airport crying. That $25 could have changed his life.”

Despite completing her global challenge, Jessica hasn’t stopped traveling. This year alone, she’s taken over 24 flights, visited all 50 states in the US, and reached her final continent in the form of a cruise to Antarctica.

The next G Adventures Community Tourism Top will take place in India in September, where more guest speakers will follow in Jessica’s footsteps.