Hey, I’m Marsha Jean

A 20-something from Hong Kong who’s been traveling and working solo around the world since I was 18—visiting over 60 countries along the way.

I’m not your typical backpacker. I go beyond the tourist trail, embracing real, off-the-beaten-path, shoestring-budget travel. What I care about most are raw experiences and genuine adventures: camping alone in the wild, connecting with people from all corners of the world. I strive to be as sustainable and ethical as possible—no staged shots for the ‘gram or YouTube, no exploitation for "Nat Geo-worthy" photos.

Here’s a glimpse of some of the adventures I’ve had:

Rented a donkey and trekked for 19 days through Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor, at 21.

At 19-20, I hitchhiked alone from Iran to France, passing through Iraqi Kurdistan, with no plan in mind—just going with the flow. In total, I hitchhiked over 15,000 km, including journeys through Afghanistan, Pakistan, and more.

Spontaneously bought a bike and cycled alone across Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Northern Pakistan—starting with almost no experience in cycling at all.

Stayed with locals in places like Kandahar (the former “capital” of the Taliban) and Iranian Baluchistan, a region many governments deem one of the most “dangerous” in the world.

The Adventures May Sound Nuts—but They Really Aren’t

The world isn’t what popular media makes it out to be. My experiences break the stereotypes and misconceptions we’re fed about travel, adventure, and life beyond our borders. It’s not a cold, hostile place out there. In reality, it’s warmer, kinder, and more generous than society wants us to believe. (Disclaimer: My experiences are not travel advice!)

I take things at my own pace—6 months in Pakistan, 7 weeks in Afghanistan, 10 months in Australia. Time is flexible, and experiences are rich.

How I Afford to Travel:
From 18 to 21, I did every odd job and volunteering gig imaginable. Hospitality work in a private casino, scuba diving shops, cafes, restaurants, teaching yoga in hostels, and permaculture farming—I’ve done it all. Now, I make a living through travel photography, writing, and investments.

Most of my time on the road was spent living with local families. I connected with people through platforms like bewelcome.org, trustroots.org, worldpackers.com, and workaway.info. In Asia and the Middle East, I either camped or stayed in local homes. In 900 days of travel, I spent fewer than 100 nights in hostels or guesthouses. I always made sure to give back—bringing food, gifts, and sharing whatever I could with my hosts.

Travel has taught me that connections matter, generosity is everywhere, and the world is waiting to teach us things we never imagined.

How did it all start?

At 18, I left my abusive home with nothing but a backpack and a one-way ticket to Australia. My plan was simple: spend every penny I had and find an end to it all. But instead, I found a beginning.

Stepping into the world on my own shattered the beliefs that my parents and society had instilled in me. I stopped living according to other people's fears and expectations, and I began to live for myself.

What I discovered was something I want to share with others: The world isn’t as unforgiving as we’re often led to believe. It’s full of kindness, generosity, and unexpected connections. Most importantly, girls— we are stronger, smarter, and more capable than we’ve been taught to believe.

After traveling the globe and living my dream of seeing the world, I’ve found a new path. Since 2022, I’ve been in London, pursuing my passion for screenwriting and film directing, driven by a desire to tell stories that challenge perspectives and break boundaries.