“Wherever you go, go with all your heart.” – Confucius
The world is an open doorway and if you just have a bit of courage and curiosity, walking through the door turns out to be the best choice you could have made. Just ask Luisa Yu. Her love of travel has not only gotten her an award, it’s taken her to 193 countries.
Yu, a 79-year-old woman from the Philippines, recently accomplished a remarkable feat: she traveled to every country in the world. For Yu, it was a dream that began in her childhood, when she was inspired by the captivating scenery she saw in movies. Reflecting on her journey, she said, “When I [went to] the movies, I [saw] this beautiful backdrop about the scenery, the nature, the rivers, the mountains, and that fascinated me.”
Luisa Yu is originally from the Philippines and first came to the U.S. when she was 23 as an exchange student in St. Louis, Missouri. Photo courtesy of Luisa Yu
Her travel adventures started in the United States, where she initially settled as an exchange student. Unable to leave the country due to visa restrictions, she explored the U.S. extensively, hopping from one state to another on Greyhound buses. Determined to see more of the world, she transitioned from a career in medical technology to become a travel agent, affording her the flexibility to pursue her passion.
Over five decades, Yu journeyed across continents, from Europe to Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Her goal was to visit all 193 countries recognized by the United Nations, driven by a desire to experience the history and culture of each place firsthand. Despite encountering skepticism and warnings about the dangers of certain destinations, Yu remained undeterred.
If I want to go somewhere, nobody can stop me,” she said.
Yu achieved her goal on Nov. 9, 2023, when she set foot in Serbia, her final destination. Her accomplishment was celebrated by friends and fellow travelers who had joined her along the way. Reflecting on her experiences, Yu emphasized the common humanity she had discovered across diverse cultures. “I find that everybody is like us,” she said. “They have a dream for a better job and a better opportunity, and most of them are very, very kind and very helpful.”
Yu said she encourages others who want to travel to not be afraid and to take the leap. Photo courtesy of Luisa Yu
Her determination to see the world is how she earned the title of “UN Master,” awarded to her by Nomad Mania, a not-for-profit that works to help make travel a reachable goal to those with limited means to travel more. Yu is one of only two people from the Philippines to have traveled to all 193 countries officially recognized by the United Nations.
As Yu reflects on her accomplishments, she acknowledges that her journey was not without challenges. However, she believes that the rewards of travel far outweigh the obstacles. “Don’t wait for anybody,” she said. “If I keep on waiting, it will never happen, because the opportunity sometimes comes only once. I can always make money, you know? But time is important.”
Now, as she savors the memories of her extraordinary journey, Yu said she is embracing a slower pace of life, but her spirit of adventure remains undimmed. “I’m not rushing to do anything, you know, I’ve become very selective [with] what I wanna do,” she said. “It’s just flying to one country, just going to Europe or some country, no challenge — you go there, you just do whatever you want and that’s easy for me.” Watch below for the story of Yu and how she made it across the entire world.
Sources: Good Morning America | NPR
