One lesson I've picked up from trotting the globe? Sometimes, you cross paths with folks who aren't just from different walks of life but are genuinely one-of-a-kind. And if the stars align, you end up making friends for life. Lettice is that person for me.
Our story began in Melbourne, where we both landed for studies. She hailed from England and lived just down the hall in our university's boarding house. Always on the move, Lettice was a whirlwind of activity, embodying the true spirit of a free soul with a heart as vast as the ocean.
Over the years, our bond has survived the test of time and distance. We even managed a serendipitous meet-up in Beijing – me on a business trip, and she, ever the adventurer, teaching there.
Now, as she's embarking on her next journey to Mexico City, I caught up with her one last time. This is Lettice and her incredible story. I hope it captivates you as much as it did me!
Lettice, help me to introduce yourself:
I'm Lettice Wigby an avid traveller who has studied, worked and volunteered in 7 countries and backpacked in 14 countries. Currently, I'm backpacking in Mexico and Central America. You can follow my adventures via my blog, Instagram and YouTube.
What inspired you to live in multiple countries like Australia, Nigeria, and China and how have these experiences shaped who you are today?
I caught the travel bug as a teenager. From the ages of 12 to 18, I was a member of Girl Guides. I went on camps in England, Switzerland, Thailand, and South Korea. I had so much fun on these camps - swimming, hiking, crafting, rock climbing, abseiling, and meeting people from all around the world - that I knew I wanted to travel for the rest of my life.
I further developed my interest in traveling from secondary school. One of the subjects I chose to study was Geography and I studied it from Years 10 to 13. I loved learning about things such as glaciers, deserts, and international development. In the end, I enjoyed Geography so much I went on to study it at university.
Australia is the perfect country for a geographer to visit because of the variety of animals, plants, landscapes, and natural events (e.g. droughts and forest fires). I was lucky enough to study abroad for 1 year at Monash University as part of my BA Geography degree. It taught me: never let the absence of money stop you from following your dreams, home doesn't change that much even when you're away for 1 year, and different countries have different education systems that might suit you better.
Nigeria gave me first-hand experience of an international development project. After years of reading about them in textbooks and journal articles I was volunteering on one for 7 months. It was an incredible experience. My role was to support young people from Kenya, Nigeria, and the UK to set up youth clubs for local children in a town called Kwali. It taught me: to let go of stereotypes about a country/continent, how to bring local stakeholders together, and how beautiful traditional Nigerian clothing is.
China was on my bucket list because my secondary school Geography teacher said there was a huge desert in the west. This single fact led me to China and I ended up living there for 5 and a half years! Luckily, I got to visit the desert when I volunteered in Gansu province on an education project. It taught me: that you don't know what you've got until it's gone, Mandarin is difficult to learn so just hire a translator (e.g. when going to the bank/hospital), and Chinese food is incredible.
Can you share some memorable moments from your time living in London, and how does the city compare to your experiences in Beijing and Melbourne?
I lived in London for 10 years, Beijing for 4.5 years, and Melbourne for 1 year.
London was life-changing. The most memorable experience was volunteering for London 2012. After two fun but nail-biting auditions, I was offered the role of Athletes Marshall in the Opening and Closing ceremonies of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games. This meant I was drumming, dancing, and directing athletes during all four ceremonies. This experience gave me the confidence to try things I'd always wanted to (such as dance classes and joining a choir), it showed me there was more to life than just my 9 to 5 job, and I made lots of great like-minded friends.
Beijing was fun. There were lots of activities to participate in. I joined Toastmasters; played rugby with the Beijing Ducks and Phoenix clubs; started a women's football team with my friend Jen; and I also attended poetry nights, comedy nights, quiz nights, variety shows, and board gaming events.
Melbourne was beautiful. I was there to study abroad and it was the best year of my undergraduate degree by far. I made incredible friends from all around the world and visited incredibly beautiful places, such as the Great Ocean Road and Uluru.
All three cities left positive impressions on me: London is extremely diverse in terms of people, cultures, and activities; Beijing has the best social scene and has something for every budget; and Melbourne has the best laid-back vibe, street organization, and weather.
As a free spirit, how do you adapt to new environments and cultures when moving between countries?
Before arriving in a new country, I'll research it online. I'll find out things like traditional customs and ways of living. Once I'm in the country, I'll learn the language so I can be polite, shop, and order food. I'll also look for online and face-to-face communities I can join, such as Facebook groups, WeChat groups, international organizations (e.g. Toastmasters, Rotary, Girl Gone International), and special interest groups (e.g. football, rugby, hockey, knitting, board games). Such groups provide lots of information and support. Further, if I'm working or volunteering in the country, I'll also seek support from my employer or the organization I'm volunteering for. I've found the best way to adapt is to be open-minded and willing to try new things. Leave your assumptions at the door and don't judge other peoples' ways of living.
Tell us about your experiences with volunteering. What causes are you most passionate about, and how do you get involved?
Volunteering has always featured in my life. I like to help in a variety of ways, whether its fundraising or giving my time to different projects. I've volunteered for a variety of causes whether it's to help children, old people, disabled people, or the environment. I've found there are lots of worthy causes out there. Usually, I find volunteering opportunities through friends and family, or from searching online. Over the years, I've heard lots of interesting stories so in 2016 I started a radio show called Volunteer Stories where I interview people about their voluntary work. My goal is to raise awareness of the fantastic work going on around the world and to inspire other people to volunteer.
As someone who has lived in London, do you have any insider tips or recommendations for travelers visiting the city for the first time?
For a first-time visit, the famous landmarks are a must. Most of them are in Zone 1 so it's easy to travel between them by foot or bus. I'm talking: Trafalgar Square, the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Picadilly Circus, Leicester Sqaure, Covent Garden, South Bank, the London Eye, and the National Portrait Gallery. And a bit further out there is: Hyde Park, Oxford Street, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Sky Garden, and the Tate Modern. All of these places can be visited within 2 to 3 days and will give you a good sense of London. They might seem cliché but they are what London is all about.
What insider tips or hidden gems in London would you recommend to travelers looking for unique experiences off the beaten path?
Here are three lesser-known gems:
Holland Park - it's basically a mini forest in the centre of London which provides some much needed peace and quiet.
Brick Lane - it's an artsy area with great food and craft stalls. There's a lot of innovative art in the area so it's a must-visit for art lovers and it's better than Camden.
Greenwich - it's a beautiful place worth the hassle of getting to. It's quite a bit out of the city centre (approximately 1 hour on the tube) but it's worth it. It has a huge park, sits on the river Thames, and houses some wonderful old buildings and even an old ship called the Cutty Sark. You can also get to a from Greenwich by public boat if you fancy cruising along the Thames.
How do you maintain a sense of connection to your roots and identity while embracing the diverse experiences of living in different countries?
The most important part of my roots/identity is my immediate family. I try to see them at least once a year and chat with them online during the in-between times. Aside from Covid I have managed to meet them annually either in England or abroad. Another way to maintain a sense of my roots/identity is to join expat communities online and face-to-face. It's nice to have people to share holidays with (e.g. Christmas, Halloween) when you're away from home. Also, I maintain my roots/identity through sharing my culture with others. For example, I hosted several pub quizzes and a traditional afternoon tea party whilst living in China.
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