I spoke to Lydia Schultz, a member of the NomadHer community, about her travels, experiences, and the significance of being a NomadHer. She is a Chinese adoptee, who grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, USA. She always had a strong urge to travel from a young age, and an “adventurous spirit and insatiable curiosity about the world”. She never really travelled beyond just a few states within the USA, until she was 19 years old. Once her parents allowed her to finally travel on her own, there was no holding her back, she was off! Now, at just 22 years old, she has travelled to over a dozen countries solo. She feels the most fulfilling part of life is to travel, and recognises her privilege to be able to get out there and experience the world for herself.

‍“There is nothing else that connects me so profoundly to other humans and their cultures, our beautiful planet Earth, and to myself.”

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What does being a “NomadHer” mean to you?

Being part of the platform, which is dedicated to (solo) female travellers, has taught her that solo travel doesn’t have to mean you are completely on your own.

“Making friends with strangers is often one of the benefits of solo travel.”

Having met up with a few women from the NomadHer app, in various destinations, she has experienced what it's like to be a member of our community.

“It’s a truly beautiful community of good-vibrational women with a shared love for travel.”

She thinks NomadHer is a great resource for women who are brave enough to travel alone, despite the stigma associated with doing so. 

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How was your first time travelling alone? 

Her first official solo trip was to Washington D.C. and she chose this destination as it was more “tame” than others - for her parents’ sake. However, her first international solo trip was to Seoul, South Korea. During this trip, she stayed in hostels so that she could befriend other travellers. From this moment she discovered her love for solo travel, and then wanted to do it even more.

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What’s one moment from your travels that left a lasting impression?

As an introvert, she often finds herself doing things alone. While she understands that this is important, she also recognises the benefits of going outside her comfort zone. This means talking with strangers and being open to new connections along the way. 

“Time and time again, I am reminded that it is the people you meet during your travels that leave the greatest impact upon your memories of a place.” 

When reflecting on a trip, it’s the human moments that she remembers the most - whether that’s an impromptu encounter with a local, or a deeper bond with a fellow traveller. 

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How has travel shaped you as a person, and your individual purpose? 

She says that you have to really get out there and discover the world for yourself to understand how travel can change you and your perspectives. It is difficult for her to imagine who she would be without her unique and multifaceted travel experiences. 

“Travelling has shown me different ways to live, invited me to tap deeper into my intuition, and taught me to trust life more. More than anything I’ve learnt that the world is more kind and beautiful than what you see on screens.”

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What is a destination which you feel the strongest connection to?

“There is nowhere else in the world I have felt more at peace than in Hawaii. The energy one feels on the Hawaiian islands is a kind of magical serenity that I have yet to find elsewhere in the world."

Unfortunately, Hawaii does face challenges with over-tourism. It tries to promote the ‘Pono Pledge’, which was created to encourage responsible tourism to the islands. It makes travellers pledge to be more righteous when visiting - including things like admiring wildlife from afar, and not endangering oneself or others. 

Lydia understands that this must be considered, and if she plans to visit Hawaii again, she says she will do so as a worker or volunteer, in order to help contribute to the local economy. 

In Hawaii, there are various initiatives where tourists can play a part in protecting and caring for the lands and the people. They are trying to protect Hawaii's natural and cultural capital while enabling a more in-depth form of travel and cultural immersion. Activities can include beach clean-ups, tree-planting, animal care, and more.

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What’s your next destination? 

Since her move to Madrid in September 2024, she has visited Morocco four times. She will be returning again soon, as it’s one of her favourite countries. Morocco is a country rich in culture and natural beauty, whether you're visiting the Atlas mountains, the Sahara desert, or experiencing the colourful yet chaotic city markets. But, for female travellers, it can often be perceived as a challenging destination.

“Sadly, solo female travellers are discouraged from travelling to Morocco by mainstream media, but I’ve never felt unsafe in any of the several cities I’ve been to. It’s a beautiful country with beautiful people that I would recommend to anyone.”

Like anywhere you go, it is important to navigate a new place with awareness. But, despite any pre-conceptions they may have had, many women, like Lydia, travel to Morocco safely and report very positive experiences.

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Learnings from Her Story

Lydia's story teaches us that solo travel doesn't necessarily have to be a lonesome activity, as you end up meeting many people along the way, through spontaneous and unique interactions. NomadHer is a support system for female travellers who carry that same curiosity to see the world, and don't want to let fear or outdated stigmas hold them back.

For her, travel has became an essential part of who she is. It has introduced her to different ways of living, and taught her that the world is more beautiful than what we see online. She is one of many travellers today who are becoming aware, too, of the impact that they have on the places they visit, especially as more destinations struggle with over-tourism, like Hawaii.