This book struggled to be written for a number of years. Professor Eric Koester, with his Book Creator Program, serendipitously appeared in the winter of 2019 and asked if I knew of anyone that wanted to write a book. I jumped at the chance! And now, a year later, my book, Welcome Back to Abuja Once Again: How I Became a Citizen of the World, will be published on December 7, 2020.

I wanted to tell so many stories. First, I related the amazing journeys of my grandparents, with their origins in southern China and then raising their families in California in the early 20th century — this probably warrants its own book.

Then, I wanted to share many of the trips I have taken since my first trip to Disneyland, and how I overcame fears to become a world traveler. I had no idea I would actually fulfill my dream to travel internationally for business and pleasure, whether from the deserts of northwestern China, to the mountains of Afghanistan, the pyramids of Egypt, a village in Mozambique, or to a glacier in Iceland, I have experienced many of the wonders of our world. What motivates me to travel are the places, the peoples, and the food. And while we often speak a different language and adhere to different customs, I find that we share more similarities than differences. At the end of the day, we all want to provide for our families, keep them safe and healthy, and hope they have more opportunities for a better future.

I capture my own experiences, as well as those of some fellow citizens of the world, to provide both fun stories and nuances to keep in mind as you travel. For the seasoned traveler, you can compare your own stories or maybe learn something new. I know I always love reading about other people’s adventures. For the novice traveler, I hope that you will be encouraged to explore more of the world, whether on a trip or from your own living room.

But I also wanted to touch on America, both a melting pot and a place with an environment that cyclically emphasizes an “us versus them” mentality that can rear its ugly head. What we find through our travels abroad can also be applied to our neighbors and community members. Expanding our outlook to include others who are different from us not only enhances our ability to deal with global crises, but also reveals our common humanity.

Instead of focusing on our differences, take the time to reach out and get to know someone who is different. Our curiosity and interest in others will become infectious — you will find it’s fun to learn something new or try new foods, even if there are some things you don’t like, and with anything that is different, you may find your fears may be greater than the reality.

So, take the plunge by saying hello to a newcomer in your town, trying a new ethnic restaurant, or watching a foreign film. You will find it’s not so different from your own environment. I hope that my book will help you get more comfortable with the “otherness” in the world. And maybe one day you’ll get on a plane to jet off on your own new adventure.