Dear Nomads,
Whether you are a current student who is looking to take the leap across the country for the first time or a working professional who still holds on to the memories from their travels, we want to welcome you here. Our entire mission was to increase travel for youth artist. This mission was born a long time ago from the mind of Gaye Bigbee when she decided to prioritize travel for her daughter who was also a dancer.
Years later, we decided to prioritize travel for other students by piloting a grassroots effort to send a student overseas. We had no clue of the impact that this trip would have. I honestly thought it would at the very least be a great experience and chance to take a moment from the day to day realities of living in Philadelphia for these youth. But while on the first trip, I witnessed a change in the student. I watched him turn from a quiet wallflower into the center stage royal. They begun to take on leadership positions upon returning and truly found a new confidence in themselves. They had a plan to change the world by providing creative safe spaces for students like themselves. Not only did they implement the plan but it grew to a full on organization called “Culture 2 Create” hosting dozens of student artists each month while creating short films and media projects.
We grew excited and decided to do it again to see what would happen next and so we did. We chose another student to send overseas. This time one who had never traveled internationally before. I thought the same would happen where they would be a social butterfly but instead it was the opposite. They became an observer and a storyteller, one who could capture energies and exchanges into photos and videos. One who would move on to pursue an education in directing. They returned home and worked on film projects as they spent their days in classes at Temple University. Inspired by the experience, they decided to apply for more distinguished fellowships like Fulbright to do a larger study. Their impact was realizing that they could be the storyteller to large audiences around the world.
As we prepare to embark on another journey sending three students overseas, we continue to keep our minds open about the impact the Nomad journey will bring. We also continue to explore how we can inspire travel and share the beauty of creativity to everyone. How we can bring others with us on our journeys with our travels. So we use this space here on our website to document journeys, provide great travel tips, and share information about the cultures we experience. Because at Black Rebel Nomad, we believe in creative & cultural exchange for the community.
Sincerely,
Alyssa Bigbee, Co-Founder & Executive Director