Last Sep, the 2nd NomadHer illustration challenge opened for the official poster of the globetrotter festivals 2022 which was held in the 3 global cities of Seoul, Paris, and San Francisco under the theme of She Can Travel Anywhere

Many NomadHers from all different parts of the world have participated. The competitive rate for getting the first prize was around 156 to 1. We appreciate all of you who have participated in the NomadHer illustration challenge! Here are the stories of the 3 winners and we hope you enjoy them.

She can travel anywhere, Chenwei Xu, USA

🔸Why did you participate?

Hello! I’m Chenwei. I was originally from Shanghai, now I am based in Los Angeles. My passion is motion graphics and illustration. I am always seeking to apply powerful storytelling to my work.

🔸What did you want to express through your work?

I want to create my illustration with women traveling to different places worldwide, and all the landmarks are reachable and inspiring in Nomadher's beautiful color palette. As a travel lover, I want to adopt a cultural-exchange mentality when creating this illustration. I hope this illustration can inspire people to share travel stories and culture.

🔸What is the meaning of solo travel for you based on your experience?

Solo travel takes me out of my comfort zones. It challenges me to experience new things, to embrace adventures on my own. My first solo trip experience was in New York in 2018. There were many things I needed to be prepared and think about on my own during a solo trip: safety, budget, language, schedule, etc. What I also enjoyed about that experience was the freedom. I don't need to follow others' preferences and plans. I can decide what to visit, eat, or see. It was an empowering and life-changing experience. I do become more confident and independent.

🔸What do you think about the NomadHer community?

NomadHer is a very inspiring and supportive community. It empowers every solo traveler to step out and experience new things, to participate, engage and learn.

You can see more of her artwork here. IG: @chenweixudesign)

When the wind rises, I am free, Amina Rakhimzhanova, Kazakhstan

🔸Why did you participate?

Hi, I am Amina from Kazakhstan. I participated in this competition because I thought it was an amazing chance to allow my voice to reach the like-minded people around me that share similar experiences of being a woman traveler.

🔸What did you want to express through your work?

As women in today’s society, we might feel discouraged to travel alone for understandable reasons. Traveling might seem like a scary and lonely journey for some of us, and thus hinder us from trying something new. In my artwork, I tried to address this issue by expressing the empowering message of “we, as women, are free to travel, and express ourselves however we want”. That’s why I titled my work “When the wind rises, I am free”. Even though there might be “wind” or obstacles that try to sweep us from our true potential, at the end of the day, we are free, and we can be whoever we want to be.

🔸What is the meaning of solo travel for you based on your experience?

I think solo traveling is about exploring the hidden parts of yourself and realizing your true potential as an individual. As a current international student who lives far away from home, I have discovered that solo traveling can be a meditative experience in exploring who you really are, but more importantly, it’s about discovering what you can be.

🔸 What do you think about the NomadHer community?

I met the NomadHer community for the first time at the NomadHer Seoul Festival 2022, and it was a truly unforgetful experience. I felt safe, heard, and celebrated for who I was. I think NomadHer is an extremely friendly, inspiring, and supportive community. I am delighted to be a part of it!

You can see more of her artwork here. IG: @chiiartt)

Travel connects the mind, Aleksandra Wesołowska, Poland

🔸 Why did you participate?

When I read the guidelines for the competition on NomadHer’s page, the image appeared in my head immediately. If I see the opportunity to challenge myself I try to grab it, because creating illustrations is my biggest passion. My creations combine themes of wanderlust, feminine beauty, yoga, and dreamy travel destinations. So I felt that it was a perfect challenge for me.

🔸What did you want to express through your work?

I want to show that every woman can travel anywhere. The world is beautiful, we should all have this opportunity to explore and feel safe.

🔸What is the meaning of solo travel for you based on your experience?

For me, personally, it’s the feeling of being independent and open to new experiences. Each trip enriches me with new knowledge about myself. I’ve learned that sometimes fear and limitations I put on myself are only in my head. I try to follow my instinct, I listen to my intuition. Sometimes you just need to get used to certain situations. When I lived in London for a while, at first I found it very uncomfortable to travel by subway by myself. After a few trips, I felt at ease.

🔸What do you think about the NomadHer community?

It’s absolutely amazing! I am very inspired by reading about other people’s travel experiences and seeing the places they have visited. I am glad that I can be a part of such a diverse community, which is connected by a common passion for travel.

You can see more of her artwork here. IG: @aleksandrabirch / Aleksandra’s website)