Today we’d like to introduce you to Chioma Ukaegbu.
Hi Chioma, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Chioma, and I love traveling and sharing my adventures with the world. I have been traveling the world for the past six years, and it still feels crazy to say that. I would say that my love for travel began in childhood. I was born in Nigeria and moved to the United States (specifically Washington DC) when I was four years old. I remember being on a plane for the first time. I spent the entire flight mesmerized by the world beyond the glass. Fast forward to when I was seven years old, and I was watching all types of different TV shows and movies from all over the world. I was fascinated by other cultures, and I wanted to understand how I could experience all of these amazing places someday. As a child, history was one of my favorite subjects because that class gave me the free pass to talk about things like the Joseon dynasty, which I meticulously researched after learning about it in historical Korean dramas I was watching around that time. My love for travel and learning about cultures so different from mine blossomed and grew every day. As a child, I traveled to Nigeria as often as I could, but to be honest, I was tired of just going to Nigeria. I wanted to see other countries. Don’t get me wrong, I love my country, but I wanted to see more, and I didn’t see the point in constantly visiting this one place when there were millions of others I wanted to see. I spent the next few years compiling a sort of “bucket list” of places that I wanted to visit, and by the time I reached college, I knew this would be the perfect opportunity for me to spread my wings and get out into the world. I took a Spanish class, and we, of course, had the opportunity to go to Peru or something. Honestly, I didn’t like my Spanish teacher, nor did I care for my classmates, so I know I was desperate for a trip. But the company on a trip is key to a successful trip. I would have been miserable, so I sat this one out. It was a tough decision, but I wanted my first real international trip to be spectacular. That was my sophomore year. Now fast forward to junior year, I was a business major with concentrations in economics and international business, and one of the electives that I had the option of selecting was a global economics course where you would either go to India or to China. The year I chose it, it was the year they were going to China. I was actually very excited! I had been watching a lot of Taiwanese dramas at that time, so my Chinese was passable, and I loved Chinese food, so why not? (Haha, my juvenile reasons for wanting to go are almost laughable.) Anyway, I asked my mom for the $3,500, and if you know African parents, she was very apprehensive. But once I mentioned this trip was crucial for my degree (it wasn’t haha), she complied and signed the check. I remember happily giving the check to my economics teacher and all the necessary forms. I was set, and the trip was fast approaching. The excitement was so real. It was happening! Until it wasn’t. I remember my economics teacher pulling me aside after class and telling me there were some problems with my documents and that I would need to go to the Chinese embassy for special approval. I was so confused because no one else had to get “special approval,” but I was just so excited to go; I was willing to jump through whatever hoops were necessary. So, two days later, I got an appointment at the embassy, and my economics teacher drove me there to get everything sorted. We spent quite a few hours there getting me interviewed and filling out paperwork. Suddenly, time stopped for me when the representative told me that they would process my application within the next 3-6 months. The trip was one month away. I was devastated, truly and honestly crushed. I didn’t understand why, out of everyone in my class, I was being singled out. What made me so special was that I had to go through so much to visit this country. It turns out Nigeria and China at the time (and I believe still to this day) have had some issues, and due to me having dual citizenship in Nigeria and the United States, my Nigerian nationality trumped my American one. To this day, I have never stepped foot in China (outside of layovers) just because of the rejection I faced (it may not seem deep, but 20-year-old Chioma was crushed). My economics teacher apologized profusely as he returned the money I paid for the trip back to me, and that really made me realize that I actually was not going. I hoped it was a bad dream of some sort, but it wasn’t. I realized I wouldn’t be eating authentic Chinese food with my friends, or seeing the Great Wall of China, or exploring the Forbidden City. No, I would be at home eating carryout Chinese food drowned in mumbo sauce and daydreaming of being in China. The time passed, and the next thing you know, it was time for the trip. I said goodbye to my friends and wished them well, but it felt like the longest week ever while they were gone. Now we fast forward to my senior year, 2018, when I decided to say yes to any trip presented to me. This is really where the travel bug bit me and didn’t let go. I traveled to Mexico on a family vacation with my sister, her husband, and my two nieces and to the Dominican Republic with my mother for my cousin’s wedding. I also went to my favorite country in the entire world, South Korea. My cousin had a medical conference in Seoul, and she invited me to tag because she knew how much I loved that country, and I had been talking about going since I was a little girl watching Korean dramas. This was the trip of a lifetime, and since she was busy doing her doctor things, I had time to explore Korea on my own as well. We even added Japan to the trip since they’re not too far from each other. Now in 2019 is where my big solo trip came about. I did something most 22-year-olds wouldn’t, and that was to find to go on a solo trip. I had decided to go on a solo trip to Bali, Indonesia, of all places. Most people would test the waters on solo travel and pick somewhere like California or Mexico or something, but no, I wanted to go across the globe haha. That trip really changed my life if I’m being honest. I learned so much about myself, and I realized that I could do anything I wanted to do and be anything I wanted to be. The world is my oyster, and I will see and experience all that it has to offer. During that trip, I met my best friends, people that I still travel with to this day, and I experienced a culture like no other. That was the trip of a lifetime, and my hunger for travel grew and grew, and now I have been to about 25 countries and territories. My goal is to reach 30 countries by the time I turn 30.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
To be frank, my journey has been far from easy. I work a typical 9-5 job to fund my passion for travel, often clocking in over 60 hours a week to earn the time off I need. Even while on vacation, I sometimes find myself working. While others may see my luxurious getaways and thrilling escapades, they fail to comprehend the restless nights that come with them. Although corporate America may offer financial stability, my heart lies in exploring the breathtaking wonders of our planet.
However, I face another obstacle – a distorted reality where I feel that life becomes dull and monotonous without a trip or adventure planned. This mindset is perilous, but I am often too exhausted after work or travel to engage in simple pleasures like happy hour, brunch, or a stroll in the park. My best friend suggested that I create mini-adventures in my daily life, urging me to step out of my comfort zone and embrace new experiences with the same enthusiasm I have for travel. She is right, and I hope that others can take this advice to heart. It is crucial for black women to have hobbies that do not revolve around financial gain. Take a pottery class and make something hideous, try tennis and get pummeled by balls, join a spin class and tumble off the bike a few times – just do something fun and different, even if you are terrible at it.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I lead a double life, one where I am a consultant for various organizations, including healthcare orgs, multimillion-dollar businesses, governments, and higher education institutions. My role is akin to that of the Lorax, but instead of speaking for the trees, I speak for the people. I ensure that the interests of end-users are taken into account from system selection to go-live.
My 5-9 is where I indulge in my passion for travel. I curate and plan trips for people, and it wasn’t until I organized a trip for Ayoblack Girl to New Orleans that I realized this could be my forever career. I take pride in creating fun and affordable experiences for people, and the positive feedback I received from that trip has inspired me to pursue this path.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you, and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
In March of 2020, I had eagerly anticipated a trip to India with my friends to celebrate the vibrant Holi festival. We had everything booked and paid for, but unfortunately, the pandemic struck with full force just a month before our departure. With travel restrictions and widespread closures, I made the difficult decision to cancel my plans out of concern for my own health and the well-being of others. The reality of COVID-19 was daunting and unsettling, and it drastically altered our lives in ways we never could have imagined.
As the year progressed, I found myself staying close to home and avoiding unnecessary travel. It felt like we had all lost a year of our lives due to the pandemic’s impact on the world. However, towards the end of 2020 and into 2021, I decided to explore more of the United States and embarked on a series of domestic trips. From the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas to the natural beauty of Arizona and Colorado, I discovered new places and revisited old favorites. I even ventured to Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, and the stunning beaches of Baja Sur and Cabo in Mexico.
Through these experiences, I learned that travel can take many forms and doesn’t always require a long-haul flight. A fun road trip can be just as exciting and fulfilling as a far-flung adventure. Ultimately, travel is what you make of it, and I’m grateful for the memories and experiences I gained during this challenging time.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chiomarama/
