About Emilie J.
Originally from California, I am a humanitarian aid worker who has lived in some of the world’s most dangerous places, including Afghanistan, the DRC, and Niger. I grew up listening to bedtime stories about my father's trans-continental African road trip and missed a month of seventh grade to trek the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal with my mother. These early experiences inspired me to study abroad in France and Senegal, join the Peace Corps in Cameroon after college, and obtain an MA in international relations and economics from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. In total, I’ve lived overseas for more than a decade, mainly in Africa, and have had the privilege of exploring fifty-five countries, often as a solo traveler. Some of my favorite destinations include Morocco, Italy, Namibia, and Cambodia.
In late 2019, I quit my high-pressure job to slowly travel the world while writing a book. I was on the tiny island of Gili Air in Indonesia when the world shut down due to COVID-19. Shortly after that, I met my fiancé and decided to permanently embrace island life. My dream is to open a yoga and writing retreat center on Nusa Penida in Bali.
