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meet Jules

Jules Nguyen is constantly on the move in search of the world’s most beautiful destinations for her travel blog ‘Finding Jules.’ As a first generation Vietnamese American, Jules is passionate about telling honest, authentic stories that help make travel more accessible for women of color. “Sharing these stories makes the world of travel more tangible for people who grew up thinking it was out of reach.”

Jules teamed up with Delta Air Lines for Faces of Travel, an initiative to increase representation and visibility within travel culture for people of diverse races, ages, sexual orientations, gender identities, religious beliefs, and physical abilities. In her own words, Jules shares what representation in travel means to her.

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Growing up, my world felt very limited. My family never had the means to go on vacation. I never saw anyone who looked like me traveling the world in commercials, magazines, or even day-to-day life.

When I was eight years old, I had the opportunity to go to Vietnam with my mother. I remember looking out the window, seeing the world for the first time, wide-eyed at how much it had to offer. I wasn’t sure if traveling was attainable or how I could possibly do it. But I decided I needed to be that person for myself.

Every time I travel it gives me a childlike sense of wonder again. My favorite places are the ones that make me feel small, like Lake Atitlán and the volcanoes in Guatemala. Banff, Canada is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever laid eyes on. And Portugal is one of the easiest places I’ve explored alone. I’m always welcomed by warm smiles and “bom dia”s. Everyone treats you like a neighbor.

Our next trip will be to Vietnam. I’ve been wanting to return for years. Growing up as a third culture kid, I desperately wanted to fit in with my American classmates and more often than not, I rejected the Asian part of me. Now I am so proud to be Vietnamese, and to let other girls and women who look like me know that if they want to do something like this, they can.

“It’s no longer just a dream if you see people who look like you doing it, too.”

Be the representation you want to see

I want people of color to know that living a beautiful life is not this unattainable thing that only the special among us can have. We are all capable of living beautifully; we are all capable of seeing the world with our own eyes. But it starts with representation. It’s no longer just a dream if you see people who look like you doing it, too.

My advice for travelers of color is to never be afraid to take up space. Book that hotel, visit that country, go on those excursions. Even if you are traveling to places where you don’t see yourself in the locals or in other travelers, be the representation you want to see — and in doing so, be the inspiration for others to do the same.

You can follow Jules Nguyen as she explores the world on Instagram @finding.jules, TikTok @treyfoundjules, and FindingJules.com.

A global traveler, blogger and photographer, Jules is dedicated to sharing honest, authentic stories in the BIPOC community. “It makes the world of travel more tangible for people who grew up thinking it was out of reach.”

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