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Ten years ago, Liv embarked on a life-changing journey with Outlook Expeditions. Her 24-day adventure through Nicaragua and Honduras shaped her worldview and inspired a career as a travel content creator. We sat down with Liv to reflect on her transformative experience, the lessons she learned, and how it continues to impact her life.
About Your Outlook Expedition Experience:
What was your Outlook Expedition experience like?
For context, Liv’s expedition in July/August 2014 included:
“It was my first time outside of Europe, and the adventure was completely transformative,” Liv shared.
“I grew up with travel as a huge influence in my life. My parents were adventurous, my grandparents travelled all around the world during their retirement and my school offered numerous trips each year. My older sister had been on a similar expedition to Vietnam a few years before me, so it was always a given that I would also participate in our school trip with Outlook Expeditions. What made it even better was that the teacher leading our expedition gave us a choice of destinations, which made it feel like we had more say in our trip and ignited a love of researching and travel planning within me. We settled on Nicaragua and Honduras — a huge pull for us all was that no one really knew where those places were, so it felt really exciting!"
“The first thing that springs to mind when I think of my expedition was running down the side of an active volcano — Cerro Negro in Nicaragua — at sunset. The wind was whipping my face, my boots were full of black volcanic sand and there was a golden glow cast over the surrounding lush green landscapes. I felt wild and free and like I could go anywhere and do anything I wanted.”
How would you describe yourself before the expedition compared to now?
“This is tricky because I was 17 at the time of my expedition and I’m now 28, so a lot has changed! I was certainly much more immature and naive. I’d never left Europe so other cultures were totally foreign to me. I learned so many things that are now just a part of my daily life, such as budgeting, working with others, and having gratitude for small things like cold running water and hot showers.”
What advice would you give your younger self before embarking on the expedition?
“Listen to others in your group. Everyone travels differently, and understanding that can make the experience so much more enriching.”
How did the expedition influence your decision to pursue a career as a travel content creator?
“It wasn’t an instant decision, but more of a gradual build-up,” Liv said.
The expedition sparked her desire to take a gap year after A-levels, during which she traveled and volunteered abroad for five months. “The time spent volunteering in Nicaragua made me appreciate how privileged I was to be able to travel, and I wanted to keep that going.”
After university, Liv worked abroad teaching English in China, then joined the travel industry during the pandemic. “Now I work as a Content Marketing Manager for a luxury cruise agency while running my own personal travel blog on the side.”
What do you love most about being a travel blogger/content creator?
“I love that my job in the travel industry allows me to explore and learn about the world, and my personal blog lets me share that passion with others. It brings me so much joy.”
What’s one piece of advice you’d give someone who wants to turn their passion for travel into a career?
“Research everything and take every opportunity you can. The travel industry is vast, and there are so many amazing roles out there. I started as an apprentice and worked my way up. If you’re willing to start at the bottom and pour your passion into it, you’ll succeed.”
What’s something you learned on your expedition that you think everyone should experience?
“Experiencing new cultures is so important. It opens your eyes to how different and yet how similar we all are as humans. At the core, we all share the same needs — love, respect, and kindness.”
If someone is considering joining an Outlook Expedition, what would you say to encourage them?
“DO IT. It might feel too scary, too challenging, or too far away, but it’s worth every second. Fundraising, stepping out of your comfort zone, and traveling with a group of people you might not know well will help you grow in ways you can’t imagine. You’ll come back as a stronger, more confident version of yourself.”
Liv’s story reminds us of the profound impact travel can have. From running down volcanic slopes in Nicaragua to building a career around her passion for exploring the world, her Outlook Expedition continues to shape her life a decade later.
Follow Liv’s adventures and career as a travel content creator on her blog and socials:
https://www.instagram.com/wher...