The World at His Feet: How a Vietnamese Teen Conquered 17 Nations by 18

25 October, 2024

Passion for Travel: An Obstacle-Free Journey

Nguyen Trung Nguyen (born in 2005) is a student at Minerva University in the US. With a mere 1.8% acceptance rate worldwide, Nguyen secured a full scholarship with an essay on “How to Understand Others.” Despite his academic excellence and stellar grades, Nguyen considers himself anything but a bookworm. He is an extrovert at heart, a free spirit with a passion for travel and exploration.

At the young age of 18, Nguyen embarked on an extensive journey across 17 countries, including Thailand, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and 14 EU nations. With a well-planned itinerary and a determination to make the most of his travels, Nguyen shared, “I’m a go-getter, and with just a backpack and a small suitcase, I was ready to take on the world.”

When asked about any hesitations or fears before embarking on this adventure, Nguyen confidently replied, “With a curious mind and a thirst for exploration, I had no doubts or fears. I trusted my ability to manage any situation, even though I encountered a few dangerous scenarios along the way.”

As Nguyen set off on his journey, his mother was unaware of the full extent of his travels until he reached the fifth country on his itinerary, the Netherlands. “I sent my mom a picture from the Netherlands and told her I would continue traveling, to which she replied, ‘ok.’ She only knew about my plans to visit the UK when she helped me with the visa process. I feel incredibly fortunate to have her trust,” Nguyen added.

Memorable Moments and Valuable Lessons

Nguyen had a well-planned strategy to make the most of his trip while keeping costs down. Instead of staying in hotels, he joined Couchsurfing, a community that offers free accommodation at local hosts’ homes. When he couldn’t find suitable hosts, he opted for budget hotels or online rental platforms.

For transportation, Nguyen preferred walking or using public transport. This choice not only saved him money but also led to unforgettable memories, like accidentally boarding the wrong train in the UK due to his habit of walking on the right. He also faced challenges in finding accommodation, but he took these experiences in stride.

Despite his careful planning and backup strategies, Nguyen encountered an unexpected setback when he was pickpocketed in Italy. “I received a message about a transaction from my account while on a train to Switzerland. The thief had spent 200 euros (approximately 5.3 million VND). I was so scared that I burst into tears on the train,” Nguyen recalled. He quickly contacted his friends in Vietnam to block his card and decided to get off at the next stop to search for his wallet.

Following the trail of the thief’s transactions, Nguyen visited a store and learned about the culprit’s description. From there, he began a seemingly futile search along the train platforms. Although he didn’t recover his wallet, Nguyen chose to focus on the positive, saying, “The experience made me more grateful and appreciative.”

After 50 days, 100 train rides, 30 kilometers on foot, 20 cities, and a budget of 6,000 euros, Nguyen returned home with a deeper understanding of himself and the world around him.

Looking to the future, Nguyen plans to start a YouTube channel to document his life and experiences as an international student. He encourages young people to step out of their comfort zones and pursue their passions and dreams.