In this episode of Recipe to the Road, I chat to Ebony, a teacher and creator. Ebony shares her experiences as the first person in her family to embark on international adventures. We discuss her solo trip to Bali which she says changed her life, teaching English in South Korea and Somaliland and her unexpected stay in South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Being the first in her family to travel
Ebony takes us back to her roots, with her family hailing from New Jersey and New York for generations. She shares how she is the first in her family. For this reason her family don’t fully understand her lifestyle and often worry about her. But she thinks they are probably proud too.
Finding pure joy in Bali
Ebony reminisces about her first solo trip to Bali, Indonesia, while still working as a social worker in the US. She was able to take 2 weeks off work but says that was enough to change her life. She describes the overwhelming happiness she experienced in Bali, attributing it to the energy of pure joy, love, and gratitude that permeated the island.
Teaching English in South Korea
In Bali Ebony met a South African woman who was teaching English in South Korea and Ebony decided to do the same.
She explains the process she went through to move to South Korea and start teaching English. She completed a TEFL (teach English as a foreign language) course online, specifically a 120-hour course with ITTT. Additionally, Ebony had to fulfil certain requirements specific to the South Korean program. She highlights the benefits of the South Korea EPIK (English Programme in Korea) programme, which covers housing, flights, pension, severance, and provides tax-free income for US citizens for two years.
Ebony encourages aspiring teachers to research and find a teaching English programme in the country they wish to explore.
Backpacking in Africa and Europe
After a year of teaching in South Korea, Ebony embarked on a backpacking adventure. She began her journey in Johannesburg, South Africa. Ebony spent about a year backpacking in Africa before travelling through Europe and eventually returning to the United States.
Teaching in Somaliland
Following her time in South Africa, Ebony applied for a teaching job in Somaliland, an independent country formerly part of Somalia. Ebony shares the cultural differences she encountered in Somaliland, such as the reliance on camel milk as a source of hydration due to limited water in the desert region. She also highlights the challenges faced by women in the region, such as being married off by their parents from the ages of 7 or 8 in exchange for “stock” which could be camels or money. She says female genital mutilation is also a big part of the culture there. Education is a ticket out of the life set out for women by society.
Ebony adapted to a different way of life, including encounters with camel spiders in her room and bathing with rainwater. She returned to the US briefly and experienced a culture shock, realising the stark contrast between the capitalist society and the simplicity she had grown accustomed to while abroad.
Embracing the journey and sharing stories
Currently, Ebony travels as a storyteller, exploring Mexico and Central America. She loves connecting with local and indigenous people, sharing their stories through her YouTube channel. Ebony has also authored a book called "Computer Love" available on Amazon. Her biggest tip for travellers is to embrace the journey and remain open to new experiences.
Ebony’s details:
YouTube: Eb's Migrations
Blog: https://ebonysmigrations.wordpress.com/
Instagram: @ebs_migrations
TikTok: @ebs_migrations
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