In January 2018, Lauren started to travel to the Asia-Pacific region to document and record her experiences of discovering people and projects related to gender, education, sustainability, climate action, and women and girls empowerment. The projects aim is to use storytelling as a medium to share the work being done by the European Commission – an institution of the European Union (EU), responsible for proposing legislation and upholding the EU treaties. We had the chance to catch up with Lauren to learn more about her experience as a traveler and the important views she shares about conservation. Here is what we found:
How has travel inspired you to become a better person?
I don’t know if travel has directly made me a better person, but I believe that travel is the medium by which we take time to reflect and be critical about ourselves in relation to the world and others. This new perspective I’ve gained from seeing different realities has given me the opportunity to be more compassionate towards people, accept stewardship for our planet and its resources, and fight against intolerance for hate and injustice.
I feel very privileged to have traveled to many countries; I know that this is not an opportunity many people will have, but a trip to a neighboring town can be just as powerful as a journey across the ocean if you let it be.
What one travel experience changed your life and why?
I’m currently on a life-changing travel experience with a project called Faces2Hearts organized by EuropeAid (European Commission) to visit EU-supported development projects around Asia-Pacific.
Prior to this, I traveled and lived in Greenland in summer of 2017. It changed my life because I experienced such a fragile and beautiful environment. I was also genuinely welcomed into Greenlandic/Inuit culture where I learned about their art, language and traditional ways of life.
Both experiences are life-changing because it has given me the opportunity to photograph and share about livelihoods, landscapes, and cultures. I use my photography as a medium to be a storyteller.
Why should people care about conservation?
I think that we are human because of our innate yearning to experience and feel beauty. Conservation, for me, is about preserving and safeguarding natural beauty. Everyone has a part to play in conservation. I think about a quote from Jane Goodall who says, “I like to envision the whole world as a jigsaw puzzle … If you look at the whole picture, it is overwhelming and terrifying, but if you work on your little part of the jigsaw and know that people all over the world are working on their little bits, that’s what will give you hope.”
What does the word ecotourism mean to you? And how do you play your part in that movement?
Ecotourism is about tourism offers that act with environmental and social responsibility. I play a part by trying to understand how my financial contributions will impact the company and community. Being mindful of my travel decisions helps me to be a part of the movement.
What three pieces of advice would you provide to someone who is about to start an international tour or experience?
Stay curious, be empathetic, and travel sustainability.
Stay curious – take every opportunity to learn about everything unfamiliar to you. Do your research but let your learning happen on the road and in relation to other people.
Be empathetic – there are a lot of challenging and different realities than the one back home. Let your mind and heart be open to the many ways of living.
Travel sustainability – this is not an impossible feat, but it does require shifting your mindset and small investments that will save you in the long run! For me, I can never travel without a water bottle, thermos, reusable spork (look it up if you haven’t heard of it!) and a bamboo straw. You see incredible amounts of plastic being thrown away in Asia – let’s try to love our planet!
Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden is the first of its kind in Laos dedicated to biodiversity conservation and ecotourism. Why is their focus important to you?
I value that Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden places great emphasis on creating a unique experience that centers around environmental education and local knowledge (such as workshops about medicinal plants). Visiting this property is an opportunity to support sustainable tourism and participate in different activities that are contributing to safeguarding our planet!
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I hope your next travel experience is filled with discovery, overcoming challenges, learning from failure, growth, patience, and persistence. Be brave! Be safe! Be you!
“The important thing is to strive toward a goal which is not immediately visible. That goal is not the concern of the mind, but of the spirit.” ― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
(Thank you very much to David of Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden for taking the time to interview me.)
Pha Tad Ke recently launched Green Thumb to enable people to participate in a crowdfunding tournament that supports conservation efforts in Laos. You could also have the chance to spend 3 months as a social impact CEO with our team if your tournament team does well. So, what are you waiting for? Click here to learn more.