I am Synthia Achoh, from Cameroon, and currently an international student in Japan. I have always been passionate about traveling, and before receiving the Travel Unity Discover Your World Scholarship, I have had the opportunity to visit Uganda and Japan. What made this travel experience unique was that, for the first time, I was fully responsible for planning my trip—choosing the places to visit, making bus bookings, handling hotel reservations, and navigating local transportation within the towns I explored. To me, travel is the greatest teacher. It has continually challenged my perspectives, deepened my cultural understanding, and fueled my curiosity. More than just a hobby, traveling is shaping the person I am becoming.
I first heard about the Travel Unity Discover Your World Scholarship through a WhatsApp group. With the scholarship, I traveled from Yaoundé, Cameroon, to Limbe from February 23rd to February 28th, 2025. While in Limbe, I visited the Limbe Botanic Garden, the Limbe Wildlife Center, Limbe Downtown Beach, the Alfred Saker Monument, and, as the final highlight of my trip, I hiked to Lake Nachtigal in Debundscha. Walking through Limbe’s historic sites and landscapes felt like stepping into the pages of my primary school lessons—except this time, I was experiencing them firsthand rather than just imagining them. This trip deepened my appreciation for conservation and history, as I met passionate conservationists, explored iconic landmarks, and embraced the beauty of nature.
This journey rekindled my curiosity about the world, inspiring me to explore more of Cameroon and beyond. As I packed for my return to Japan, I felt an even stronger desire to travel, meet diverse people, and immerse myself in new experiences. While my career aspirations in international relations remain unchanged, this experience reinforced my passion for cross-cultural interactions and global connections. It reminded me that understanding history, conservation, and different communities plays a crucial role in shaping meaningful international engagements.
Leave a Reply