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’d rather take the long way around, sleep somewhere questionable, and see what happens. Over the years, I’ve hitchhiked alone across borders, camped in the middle of nowhere, stayed with local families, and made friends in places I couldn't have found on a map. I’m interested in the messy, unfiltered side of travel — the people, the unexpected detours, and the stories that don’t usually make it into glossy travel magazines.

Here’s a glimpse of some of the adventures I’ve somehow made it through:

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

At 19, I hitchhiked solo from Iran to France via Iraqi Kurdistan, with no real plan beyond seeing how far I could get. Since then, I’ve hitchhiked through Afghanistan, Pakistan and beyond, usually whenever the opportunity (or a questionable impulse) arises. It’s one of my favourite ways to travel: you meet people, end up somewhere unexpected, and collect some pretty ridiculous stories along the way. At this point, hitchhiking has become less of a transport method and more of a travel strategy.

Bought a bike on a whim and cycled solo through Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and northern Pakistan, despite having almost no cycling experience.

Stayed with local families in places like Kandahar and Iranian Balochistan, places often labelled some of the most dangerous in the world. Meanwhile, some of the warmest hospitality I’ve ever experienced. Funny how that works.

The Adventures Might Sound Nuts, but They Really Aren’t

I know some of these adventures sound a little unhinged, but the world is rarely as scary as it’s made out to be. Some of the places I’ve been warned against have turned out to be where I’ve experienced the most kindness.

I’m not particularly good at rushing, and I’ve never been much of a fan of ticking places off a bucket list. I’ve spent 6 months in Pakistan, 7 weeks in Afghanistan and 10 months in Australia. Taking things slow.

How I Afforded 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 etc.

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.