Learn how to travel more responsibly, engage with the experiences of refugees, and merge human rights with tourism. Sibu Szymanowska joins Matt over a bottle of wine and shares her experience growing up in Costa Rica before moving to China at age 17. Sibu reflects on attending University in China, learning fluent Mandarin, and starting multiple businesses over her 7 years living there. She shares the impact of her travels throughout Asia and then her experience moving to Poland and re-connecting with her Polish heritage. Sibu then talks about her experience working for an NGO, living in a remote village in Nicaragua, developing a passion for human rights, and eventually doing a Master’s Degree in “International Conflict and Human Rights”. She also talks about co-founding The Hybrid Tours and explains how it centers the experiences of refugees and displaced people in the various destinations. Sibu shares how her tours help people learn about Palestine through the stories of refugees living in Jordan, and help people learn about the Bosnian genocide by meeting with survivors and former prison camp inmates during the tour of Bosnia. She also explains how you can join a Hybrid Tour and get a special Maverick Show discount.
Episode #309: Merging Travel with Human Rights and Founding The Hybrid Tours with Sibu Szymanowska
Episode Summary
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About the Guest
Sibu Szymanowska
Sibu Szymanowska is a global citizen that has been living and traveling around the world since 2005. She is a full-time digital nomad and the creator behind Go Global with Sibu, a brand focused on travel tips, breaking stereotypes and showing the world through a different lens. She is also the co-founder of The Hybrid Tours – a travel company dedicated to combining recreation and human rights for those interested in leaving a positive mark as a tourist. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and a Master’s in International Conflict and Human Rights. Originally from Costa Rica, she now speaks 5 languages and has been to almost 100 countries.
What You'll Learn
- How to Visit Costa Rica Responsibly
- Reflections on Living in China for 7 Years as a Latina and Learning Fluent Mandarin
- How to Center Refugee Experiences and Human Rights in Your Travels
Links From the Episode
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PREVIOUS MAVERICK SHOW PODCAST GUESTS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
WINES CONSUMED DURING THIS INTERVIEW
OTHER WINES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
PLACES IN CHINA MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
CHINESE ICE FESTIVAL MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
PLACES IN COSTA RICA MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
PLACES IN GERMANY MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
CITIES IN POLAND MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
LOCATIONS WHERE THE INTERVIEW TOOK PLACE
- Matt: Asheville, North Carolina
- Sibu: Geneva, Switzerland
OTHER PLACES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
- Abu Dhabi
- Asia
- Atlantic Ocean
- Balkans
- Bangkok
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- California
- Cambodia
- Caribbean
- Central America
- China
- Costa Rica
- Djibouti
- Dubai
- Europe
- Germany
- Haiti
- Jordan
- Latin America
- Lebanon
- London
- Mendoza
- Middle East
- Moldova
- Mongoli
- Mostar
- Nicaragua
- Pacific Ocean
- Palestine
- Panama
- Poland
- Syria
- Tanzani
- Thailand
- UAE
- Vietnam
CONTACT SIBU
Time Stamped Show Notes
**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode.
[0:55] Introducing Sibu Szymanowska
[2:30] Wine Experiences in Moldova
[5:32] The story of Sibu’s name
[6:30] Growing up between Costa Rica and the US
[10:37] Changes in Costa Rica over the last two decades
[12:45] Tips for visiting Costa Rica Responsibly
[15:53] Moving to China at age 17 to Attend University
[21:16] Learning Fluent Mandarin and Acclimating to Chinese Culture
[22:57] Traveling Around China
[24:26] Human Rights abuses against Chinese Muslims
[26:06] Building Businesses in China
[27:22] Tips for Visiting China
[30:07] The Impact of Living In China for 7 Years
[32:16] Traveling through Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia
[33:31] Moving to Poland and Reconnecting with Her Polish Heritage
[35:23] Tips for Visiting Poland
[37:05] The Impact of Living in Poland for 2 Years
[38:17] Living in London and Deciding to Work in Human Rights
[40:54] Living in a Remote Village in Nicaragua for 9 Months
[43:26] Navigating the Pitfalls of Voluntourism
[47:10] Reverse Culture Shock when Moving to Berlin
[48:31] Becoming a Minimalist
[51:12] Tips for Visiting Berlin
[53:40] Getting a Master’s Degree in “International Conflict and Human Rights”
[55:44] Meeting Hira Aftab and Co-Founding The Hybrid Tours
[59:44] How The Hybrid Tours Integrates the Experience of Refugees and Displaced People
[1:06:32] Taking Travelers to Jordan and Learning About Palestine
[1:10:00] Bosnia and Meeting with Genocide Survivors and Former Prison Camp Inmates
