The Value in Traveling to Unconventional Countries
Forum Description
Dan Brotman's mother almost fainted when he called her four years ago to let her know that he had safely returned home from a clandestine visit to North Korea. Since that trip, the 36-year-old gay, Jewish, American/Israeli/South African has visited numerous unconventional countries that outlaw various aspects of his identity, and which Western governments officially warn against visiting.
Although these countries are portrayed very negatively in the media, Dan travels to these destinations with the aim of creating real human connections with locals in countries that we are told to stay away from. Some of his most memorable travel experiences include partying with LGBT locals in Russia and Iran, climbing over a wall to enter the closed Jewish cemetery in Beirut, Lebanon, and celebrating Nowruz (Persian New Year) in Iraqi Kurdistan during the pandemic.
Despite occasionally facing backlash at home when he presents his experiences, Dan will share the practical, ethical and emotional considerations when choosing to visit highly stigmatized countries that are unaccustomed to Western tourists.
Join us to learn:
Solo vs. group travel
Money and travel insurance
Meeting locals
Passport and visa considerations
Safety
Discretion
Sharing experiences upon returning home
Featured speaker: Dan Brotman
Dan Brotman (@dan-brotman), a 36-year-old native of Boston, has lived the majority of his adult life abroad, immigrating to three countries and next year applying for his fourth citizenship. During his decade living in South Africa, he co-founded a corporate educational travel company that took over 1,000 African entrepreneurs and business leaders to ten of the world’s most innovative countries. He has been to 80 countries to date and aims to visit 100 by the age of 40. Dan frequently writes for various publications about Travel and Global Mobility and is passionate about helping others globalize their lives. He is currently based in Windsor, Canada.
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