About six years ago I decided I would visit 30 countries before I was 30 years old. This obsessive goal of mine that ended up defining and directing my early twenties originally had more modest origins. When I was 17 and relatively untraveled, I wanted to visit 15 countries before I died. I dared not ask for more than this. Traveling to 15 countries seemed about as likely as traveling to the moon to a 17-year-old girl from rural Indiana.
However during a college back-packing trip to Europe I officially caught the travel bug. And this expensive disease is not easily satiated. Like a race where the finish line keeps getting moved further and further away, the more I traveled the more I wanted to travel. I realized I hadn’t even begun to scratch the surface of all of the humanity, the history and the natural beauty God had placed on this amazing planet.
So as my experiences expanded and I matured into a veteran traveler my goal simultaneously grew and changed as well. Therefore at the age of 22 and with 10 countries under my belt, the humble goal of 15 countries in my lifetime suddenly became 30 countries before I was 30.
And so I had 8 years to visit 20 countries. This may not seem like such an outstanding accomplishment to those living in Europe where international travel is common, cheap, fast and as easy as jumping on a train or taking a short flight. But to a girl from Indiana, where a large majority of the population has never owned a passport or been outside of North America, this rare aspiration seemed like my own personal mountain.
It was ready and waiting for me to climb, but its fulfillment required careful planning, strategic decisions, personal sacrifice, good money management, reliance on God and His faithfulness and the ability to recognize and seek out opportunity.
Today, through the grace of God, I accomplished this goal of mine. This morning I took a train from Stockholm to Copenhagen and when we crossed the bridge into Denmark I silently smiled to myself. I allowed myself to relish quietly in my personal triumph and say a quick prayer of gratitude for all God had done to get me to this point. I know that I could not and would not have had any of these experiences without Him and His provision. And I celebrated- I was in country number 30. I had reached my personal summit and I had officially met my goal! And with two years to spare!
As I think back on all of my experiences in 30 different countries I am amazed at what God has done in my life. I can’t believe all of the outstanding ways God has blessed me. I can’t describe all of the incredible places I have visited, people I have met and opportunities that have presented themselves. I can’t express the gratitude that fills my heart as I look back on the past 30 countries and all of the life-changing-experiences, friendships and lessons they have given me. I am truly blessed and truly amazed at the ways God has worked in my life and how he has provided me such amazing opportunities to see his perfect and beautiful creation. I have had more than a life-times worth of experiences and I do not deserve such amazing grace, love and blessings. However, that is what makes my God so fantastic! He gives them to me anyway!
So…with a grateful heart full of joy and thanksgiving I realize I have reached my goal. I have visited 30 countries! Now, the real question is…. What is going to be my next mountain?
Great story! Congrats on reaching your goal 🙂
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I love this! After just graduating college, I’m setting my own traveling goals for myself and am inspired by your journey!
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Congrats Kelly. I am glad to hear it. I love that you found a family to stay with in Sweden.
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All 7 continents?
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Congrats Kell! So excited for you!
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I also have a goal to visit 30 countries before I turn 31. I just conceived of this plan at the beginning of this school year (Aug 2014) while I was 29. I was at 18 countries then! Since then I have visited three countries. I’m turning 30 this Friday and this summer I will backpack around Europe and I will visit 9 different countries getting me to my 30th country only a couple of months after turning 30!
I wonder if we have been to similar countries?
See my travel history here: http://teachingwanderlust.com/travel-history/
-Amanda
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Very cool! Have you heard of 30xTHIRTY – it’s a community for young travelers trying to reach 30 countries by 30: http://www.30xthirty.com
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Awesome!!! I can’t wait to check it out!
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Such an awesome achievement! I am currently 28 with 23 countries. My goal is also to hit 30 countries before 30! I absolutely love the cultural immersion of other countries and so excited to see more! Thanks for the inspiring read! 🙂
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I have a classmate in http://www.cbc.edu that always love to travel around the world.
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