After a year working as an au pair in Paris, Ashley Fleckenstein traveled around the world — studying yoga in India and Bali, trekking the Himalayas and moving to Africa. She now lives in Uganda writes about life as an expat and tips on planning African adventures.
1.)Where was the first place that you traveled that made you think WOW—travel is amazing (think history book come to life or …..)
2.)If you had unlimited resources, where would you go and what would you do?
If I had unlimited resources I would plan an epic trip around Australia, New Zealand, and Polynesia. Oceania has always attracted me but I’ve stayed away because it’s super expensive.
3.)What were you afraid to do and how did you find the courage to overcome it?
Growing up I had a fear of open water so I faced my fears by learning how to scuba dive. Now I love being underwater and dive whenever I get the chance.
4.)What apps do you use regularly that make your life easier?
I use Citymapper a lot when I travel – it’s super useful for navigating major cities. I also just discovered Tile and it’s amazing – it helps you find everything: your keys, your passport, your phone, etc.
5.)What place do you wish more people have seen?
I live in Uganda and the more of Africa I travel, the more I fall in love with it. I understand that many people are afraid to travel to Africa – I certainly was – but the continent is so beautiful, diverse, and full of wildlife that it would be a shame to miss out on it.
6.)Best advice you have been given and by whom?
7.)When were you surprised by the kindness of strangers on a trip?
I’ve been surprised by the kindness of strangers so many times while traveling, and especially while traveling solo. One time that stands out was when I was Couchsurfing in Greece and ended up getting really sick and feverish – I had a fever of 104 degrees for a week. My Couchsurfing host made me tea, gave me her only fan, and basically ensured I survived the week.
8.)What inspired you to travel for extended periods of time or live in a new country?
Ever since I was a little kid I’ve wanted to see the world. As I got older, I became increasingly interested in learning about how other people live, which is why I’ve done a lot of homestays, lived abroad several times, and learned Spanish and French.
9.)I travel because.I travel because the world is too interesting not to see it.
Ashley Freckenstein believes in living a life worth writing about, and through her blog, Ashley Abroad, she shows others that it’s possible to travel when you’re young and cash-poor. She also thinks more female travelers should know that solo travel is an option, and that Couchsurfing is incredible.
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What an inspiring journey! Your experiences in Uganda as an au pair sound incredible, and it’s fascinating to see how travel can change our perspectives. I loved reading about your adventures and the connections you made. Thanks for sharing your story! Helena
What an inspiring journey! Your experiences as an au pair in Uganda truly highlight the beauty of cultural exchange and travel. I can’t wait to read more about your adventures and the lessons you’ve learned along the way! Deb
What an inspiring journey! It’s amazing how your au pair experience opened up a world of travel and adventure in Uganda. I love hearing your stories and seeing how much you’ve embraced the culture and made connections. It makes me want to explore new opportunities like this!
What an inspiring post! Your experiences as an au pair in Uganda sound incredible, and I love how you highlighted the blend of travel and cultural immersion. It’s amazing to see how such opportunities can transform our lives and perspectives. Thank you for sharing your journey!
What an inspiring post! Your experience as an au pair in Uganda sounds incredible, and I love how it opened up opportunities for travel and cultural immersion. It’s amazing to see how living in another country can shape your outlook on life. Thank you for sharing your journey! Greta
What an inspiring post! It’s amazing to hear how your au pair experience opened doors to travel and a new life in Uganda. Your adventures sound incredible, and I love how you’re embracing the culture and making lasting memories. Can’t wait to read more about your journey!
Deb
What an inspiring journey! It’s amazing to see how an au pair experience can open up opportunities for travel and cultural immersion in a beautiful place like Uganda. Your stories and insights have truly sparked my interest in exploring this path myself. Thank you for sharing! Eva
What an inspiring journey! Your experiences as an au pair in Uganda sound incredible and full of adventure. I love how you’ve embraced the culture and taken every opportunity to travel. Thanks for sharing your story! Can’t wait to hear more about your travels! Howard
What an inspiring journey! Your experiences as an au pair in Uganda sound incredible! It’s amazing how a year can open up so many opportunities for travel and cultural exchange. I’d love to hear more about the places you visited and the connections you made along the way! Reginald
What an inspiring story! It’s amazing how an au pair experience can open doors to travel and new cultures. Your adventures in Uganda sound incredible – I love how you’ve embraced the local lifestyle. Thank you for sharing your journey! Dave
What an inspiring story! Your experiences as an au pair in Uganda sound incredible. I love how you highlight the cultural exchange and the adventures you’ve had. It’s making me consider doing the same! Thank you for sharing your journey!
What an inspiring post! Your experiences as an au pair in Uganda sound life-changing. I love how you’re not only immersing yourself in a different culture but also exploring such beautiful landscapes. Can’t wait to hear more about your adventures! Mike
What an inspiring journey! Your experiences as an au pair in Uganda sound incredible, and it’s amazing how much you’ve embraced the culture and the adventures. I love the perspective you’ve shared about travel and personal growth—definitely adding Uganda to my travel bucket list! Thank you for sharing your story!