Learn what Afghanistan is like now, how to become fluent in 5 languages & get tips on being a more ethical traveler. In Part 2 of this interview Sibu Szymanowska shares her journey becoming a digital nomad and founding “Go Global with Sibu”. She tells stories from her journey traveling overland across 9 countries in Africa using public transportation. Sibu also shares her experience traveling to Pakistan and then choosing to visit Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover. She explains why she loves Lebanon so much, tells stories from her trip to Syria, and describes why the Yemeni island of Socotra is so unique. Sibu reflects on how she learned 5 languages fluently, including Mandarin and Polish, and shares language learning tips. She then reflects on how traveling to nearly 100 countries has impacted her, gives tips on how we can be more conscious and ethical travelers, and explains what travel means to her today.
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Hosted by Matt Bowles
310: Visiting Socotra, Syria, Afghanistan, and Traveling Across Africa on Public Transportation with Sibu Szymanowska
Episode #310: Visiting Socotra, Syria, Afghanistan, and Traveling Across Africa on Public Transportation with Sibu Szymanowska
Hosted by Matt Bowles
310: Visiting Socotra, Syria, Afghanistan, and Traveling Across Africa on Public Transportation 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
- Tips and Reflections on traveling to Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover
- How to Become Fluent in 5 Languages
- How to Become a more Conscious and Ethical Traveler
Links From the Episode
Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. If you click through any links and make a purchase, you should assume that Maverick will receive financial compensation (at no additional cost to you). We greatly appreciate you using our affiliate links because it helps to support the show and cover production costs of the podcast.
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SEE THE UPCOMING TRIPS WITH HYBRID TOURS
(Get a Special Discount with Code: Maverick100)
#1 BOOK THAT SIBU RECOMMENDS
#1 PERSON WITH WHOM SIBU WANTS TO HAVE DINNER
TOP 3 FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATIONS
TOP 3 BUCKETLIST DESTINATIONS
OTHER PEOPLE 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
- Afghanistan
- Africa
- Albania
- Australia
- Band-e Amir Lake
- Beirut
- Berlin
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Cairo
- Cape Town
- Croatia
- Dar es Salaam
- Egypt
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Europe
- Galapagos
- India
- Indian Ocean
- Italy
- Johannesburg
- Jordan
- Kabul
- Lesotho
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Middle East
- Montenegro
- Namibia
- New Zealand
- North America
- Socotra
- Somalia
- South Africa
- Sudan
- Switzerland
- Syria
- Tanzania
- UAE
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
CONTACT AND FOLLOW SIBU
Time Stamped Show Notes
**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode.
[1:45] Becoming a Digital Nomad and Founding “Go Global with Sibu”
[4:48] Traveling Overland Across 9 African Countries Using Public Transportation
[9:29] Traveling to Pakistan
[11:31] See Dates, Itineraries, and get a Discount for The Hybrid Tours
[15:12] Traveling to Afghanistan After the Taliban Retook Power
[24:57] Lebanon
[27:04] Syria
[31:40] Why Socotra is so Unique
[36:00] Learning Languages Tips for Becoming Fluent in 5 Languages
[39:55] How Travel has Impacted Sibu
[41:19] Tips for Being a More Conscious and Ethical Traveler
[43:37] What Travel Means to Sibu
[45:28] The Lightning Round
[47:14] How to Follow and Connect with Sibu