Research indicates that entrepreneurs, who don’t travel internationally, say one of the obstacles seems to be the lack of a passport when a perfect opportunity presents itself. That’s no excuse! Get your passport and start planning, but know that you don’t become a globetrotter overnight.
Immerse yourself in culture and diversity
You can easily immerse yourself in culture and diversity without traveling too far from home. Cultural and business norms, cuisine and language all take wonderful turns at home if you keep an eye out for them. But, great delights also await you once you cross borders.
International travel, even when it’s close to home, forces you into the unknown, away from the many comforts we take for granted – language, food, clothing, religion, and familiar customs to name a few. Successful entrepreneurs thrive under pressure and excel while outside of their comfort zone. Many seek the thrill of the unknown and the way it expands their horizons.
‘. . . successful entrepreneurs thrive under pressure and excel outside of their comfort zonevibrant and significant part of contemporary culinary arts. . .’
Every entrepreneurs need to know there are ways that traveling internationally can change your understanding of yourself, your life and your business.
You can do more with less
When traveling for long periods of time, you have to pack light and work with the bare essentials, buying certain items when you arrive at your destination. Living out of a few pieces of luggage requires learning to make do with what you have on hand. Many times, something you need isn’t readily available like it always is at home. Picking up too many items along the way to make up for this can easily become a burden and a collection of too much junk.
This rings true in business as well. Many new entrepreneurs lack access to all the resources they could ever want or need in their start-up. When this happens to you, it is essential to continuously evaluate whether you’re maximizing the output of the resources you have.
Naturally, you’ll tend to grab onto any additional resources that become available, possibly skipping the time to consider their value. Not assessing what value you are placing on which items or parts of your business can cause quite the burden, as those extra items add up and slow you down. A key to early success for many businesses is to review the available resources, learn to keep the ones you can manage, maximize their productivity, and leave available room to utilize new resources as your business evolves. Letting go of the excess may seem hard, but it is well worth it in the long run.
‘…leave available room to utilize new resources as your business evolves…’
Cultural Empathy
Many people happily go about their days in a state of ‘sameness’ but that quickly changes once you travel abroad. Dozens of languages and incredibly diverse backgrounds are the ‘norm’ throughout much of the world. Feeling like an outsider in the international melting pot for the first time can be overwhelming, but well worth the discomfort.
Imagine growing up in a small town where even a ‘people-person’ realizes that it’s easy to get along with people when you grow up together, watch the same TV shows and shop at the same stores. But it’s quite different when every person you meet has almost nothing in common with you, they think you are strange, and no one has more than a rudimentary understanding of the English language.
This forces you to adapt quickly, you listen more than you talk, use hand signals and do whatever it takes to find effective ways to communicate. This mode of communication, levels the playing field and is a binding between cultures, in a way you will not otherwise experience.
‘…do whatever it takes to effectively communicate…’
Putting yourself into a situation where you’re suddenly a minority requires empathy and patience from those you are working with, and an incredible amount of humility on your part.
When international travel takes you to a place where common sense isn’t so common, you’re forced to find unique ways to communicate and achieve your goals. The same applies to being an entrepreneur, when building your business, you will inevitably find yourself in foreign situations. Acknowledging and learning from the approach different cultures bring to personal and business endeavours is a valuable experience.
‘…find unique ways to communicate and achieve your goals…’
Altering Your Definition of Success
Many consider themselves successful once they’ve expanded their bank accounts and accumulated expensive material possessions. However, the definition of success is incredibly varied. The Maasai people of East Africa see lion hunting as a sign of bravery and personal achievement, while Buddhists from India say that it is better to travel well than to arrive. The real definition of success is more about your mind-set, ultimately, success is defined by each of us individually. Your success in business doesn’t have to define your success in life. A nine to five job doesn’t have to be the norm. Millennials, in particular, have embraced this thought process as they’ve taken advantage of the opportunities offered by the digital economy.
‘…success is defined by each of us individually…’
France has even gone so far as to ban email correspondence outside of work hours. Traveling or working abroad allows you to experience and appreciate how distinct cultures and people define and celebrate success and more importantly, how they react to failure.
The reality is that the possibility of failure is ever present. You can’t allow the fear of failure to hold you back. It is one of the top reasons that many businesses don’t succeed. Never dwell on the past or spend too much time planning the future. Concentrate on the present and stop comparing yourself to others. It may be ‘mind expanding’ to accept that failure is not an option but a certainty, and never let it define you or your success.
‘…concentrate on the present and stop comparing yourself…’
If you’re looking at entrepreneurship as your ticket to easy money and a lifestyle of flashy cars and photos of the cash you see on Instagram, think again. A tornado of skill, ability, passion, hustle, perseverance, and a lot of luck go into developing a successful business long-term.Define your own success and bring it all together. Treat failure as a stepping stone to your next achievement instead of a step backward. It won’t be easy, but treating yourself as a work in progress is the way to grow.
‘…treat yourself as a work in progress…’
Tell us in the comments, how you as an entrepreneur, thrive on international travel?
Fusion cuisine is an exciting approach to cooking that combines essentials from different cooking traditions to create inventive and tantalizing dishes. Driven by adventurous chefs and home cooks who are keen to experiment with diverse ingredients and techniques, the popularity of fusion food has soared.
This trend embraces using alternative flours like almond, rice, and chickpea in traditional recipes, to blending global flavours in a single dish. The use of gluten-free flours, such as coconut and buckwheat caters to dietary preferences while adding unique textures and flavours. Fusion cuisine broadens the palate and reflects the dynamic interconnected world we live in, making it a vibrant and significant part of contemporary culinary arts. Fusion foods celebrates creativity and adaptability, making it a dynamic and exciting culinary trend.
‘. . . a vibrant and significant part of contemporary culinary arts. . .’
Origins of Fusion Cuisine
Early Influences
Fusion cuisine is not new, it has ancient roots. Historical trade routes like the Silk Road, facilitated the exchange of spices, grains, and ingredients between diverse cultures. Early chefs experimented with these new elements, integrating rice flour, wheat flour, and alternative flours into their recipes, creating dishes that blend flavours from different areas. This early fusion cuisine laid the foundation for today’s culinary innovations.
‘…blend flavours from different areas…’
Modern Beginnings
Modern fusion cuisine gained prominence as global travel and immigration increased. Chefs began to explore beyond traditional boundaries, incorporating ingredients such as almond flour and gluten-free flours like coconut flour and buckwheat flour into their dishes. This period saw the birth of iconic fusion foods, like California rolls and Tex-Mex, where traditional methods were enhanced with alternative flours and ingredients, creating unique culinary experiences that appealed to broader audiences.
‘… creating unique culinary experiences…’
Cultural Exchanges
Cultural exchanges have always been at the heart of fusion cuisine. As people from different backgrounds came together, they shared their culinary traditions. This involved substituting traditional ingredients with all-purpose flour substitutes or incorporating nut flours to add a rich flavour and texture to dishes. The result saw an exciting culinary landscape where bread recipes include chickpea flour or where pastry flour replaced with fresh milled flour for a unique twist. These cultural exchanges diversified our palates and pushed the boundaries of what is possible in the culinary world.
‘… different backgrounds shared culinary traditions…’
Popular Types of Fusion Cuisine
Tex-Mex
Cajun
Cajun cuisine, originally from Louisiana, blends French, African, and American influences. It’s renowned for its robust, spicy flavours and ingredients like rice flour and wheat flours for thickening sauces and creating baked goods. Dishes such as jambalaya and gumbo often incorporate alternative flours like almond and coconut flour to enhance texture and flavour. The use of all-purpose flour substitutes helps create the unique, hearty quality of Cajun dishes, which are perfect for a rich, comforting meal.
‘… jambalaya and gumbo …’
French-Vietnamese
French-Vietnamese fusion cuisine combines delicate flavours and refined techniques. Bánh mì sandwiches, made with baguettes using high-protein bread flour, is a popular example. This cuisine frequently uses rice flour and gluten-free flour to create light, airy textures in dishes like pho and spring rolls. The fusion of French baking techniques with Vietnamese ingredients results in a exceptional and sophisticated culinary experience.
” . . . pho and spring rolls . . . “
Indo-Chinese
Indo-Chinese cuisine blends Indian spices with Chinese cooking methods, resulting in bold, flavourful dishes. Common ingredients include whole wheat flour and chickpea flour mixed with traditional Chinese sauces. Dishes like Hakka noodles and Manchurian often use gluten-free flours and almond flour for added texture. This fusion cuisine is known for its spicy, tangy flavours, making it a favourite among those who enjoy vibrant, exciting meals.
” . . . Hakka noodles and Manchurian . . . “
American Sushi
American Sushi is an innovative twist on traditional Japanese sushi, incorporating ingredients like cream cheese, avocado, and even barbecue sauce. Sushi rolls may use rice flour or almond flour in their preparation to achieve different textures. The use of alternative flours such as gluten-free flour caters to diverse dietary preferences, making sushi accessible to a wider audience. This fusion cuisine showcases the creativity of American chefs in reinventing classic Japanese dishes with a contemporary flair.
Fusion cuisine continues to evolve, with chefs pushing the boundaries of traditional cooking to create innovative dishes that reflect a blend of cultural influences. A current trend is the use of alternative flours like chickpea, cassava and oat flour to cater to dietary preferences that and unique textures to dishes. For instance, gluten-free baked goods made with rice flour and brown rice flour are becoming increasingly popular.
Another trend is incorporating elements from various global cuisines into everyday recipes. Examples include using garbanzo bean flour to thicken sauces in Indian-Mexican fusion dishes or combining white rice flour with traditional wheat flours in Asian-European pastries. The use of soft wheat and hard wheat blends in bread recipes highlights the versatility and adaptability of fusion cooking. Trending fusion dishes include Korean tacos, which combine the flavours of Korean barbecue with Mexican street food, and sushi burritos, which wrap sushi ingredients in a handheld format. Other examples are Mediterranean-inspired ramen, using whole wheat noodles and chickpea flour-based broths, and Indian pizza, featuring naan bread crusts topped with curry spices. These dishes exemplify how fusion cuisine transforms familiar foods into exciting new culinary experiences.
Fusion cuisine represents the exciting future of culinary arts, where creativity knows no bounds. By blending ingredients and techniques from various culinary traditions, chefs and home cooks create innovative and delectable dishes that tantalize the taste buds. Remember, the key to fusion cuisine lies in balancing flavours, textures, and techniques to create harmonious and delightful dishes. Whether you’re a professional chef or a passionate home cook, fusion cuisine offers a vibrant and dynamic way to celebrate the world’s diverse culinary heritage.
Tell us about your Fusion Food and Culinary Trends in the comments!
Do you ever wonder what ethical tourism is all about and then worry about being a responsible traveller? One thing we have learned is that making ethical travel decisions is not a cut-and-dry topic.
There are many ways to travel ethically, and every decision helps. Traveling responsibly is not an ‘all-or-nothing.’ We hope that this guide can be a base point to think about through our decisions, implement what we can, one small step at a time. If certain advice doesn’t work for you, that’s ok, do what you can.
In this guide, we discuss what ethical tourism is, and how to make ethical travel decisions that benefit people in the communities we visit and the environment.
” . . . do what you can . . . “
What is Ethical Tourism?
Ethical tourism involves traveling in a sustainable and responsible way that protects the environment, sustains and respects the communities and cultures being visited, and protects the local economy.
Responsible tourism
Responsible tourism focuses on how travel impacts local communities and their economy. In order to travel responsibly, we should support small businesses that are based locally. Also, support businesses that benefit the local community. And consider how visits could impact the area, and if the trip is ethical.
‘. . . benefit the local community . . .’
Education
Education is the first step to becoming responsible and to participate in ethical tourism. To learn more, interact with other cultures and explore the world, read books, listen to podcasts, and follow ethical bloggers from around the world. Doing this helps gain a deeper appreciation for the people and places we interact with. When researching a destination to visit, try to find informational sites that teach about the cultural traditions and history of a place.
‘…deeper appreciation for people and places…’
Indigenous Wisdom
Indigenous people were the original stewards of the land and often passed down the best practices for protecting the environment and living in harmony with the land. Concepts like permaculture which seem new and innovative are long-passed-down in these communities. We can learn about the history of an area by connecting with the native people who will eagerly share their history.
‘…living in harmony with the land…’
Be Courteous and Curious
Listen to the locals. Official tourism offices do a lot of great work, and travel advisors love to share about the many places they’ve visited. However, there’s always opportunity for travellers to listen to the residents who speak about their own home. It’s important to take their voices into consideration when making ethical travel decisions.
Learn the language. Learning a language helps us to learn about the culture of a place. The concept of time, relationships with each other, and the importance of food are just a few examples of things to learn about when learning a language. Of course, it’s impossible to completely learn a new language every time you travel, but it can be helpful to learn some useful phrases.
‘…listen to the locals, learn about their culture…’
Be Polite
Photograph respectfully. It may be tempting to take photos of unique and unfamiliar experiences when travelling, but it’s important to always photograph respectfully. Ask before taking pictures of an individual, and make it clear if the photo is being used for big audiences.
Don’t over-haggle. It’s important to not over-haggle just because you can.
Try to live like the locals. A great way to show respect and curiosity is to adopt the local way of life. Dressing modestly, conserving water use, and even greeting a shopkeeper are just a few examples. Of course, in order to learn about the locals, you can’t simply show up without doing any research. This is why we recommend doing a bit of research and learning about a place before visiting.
‘…to show respect and curiosity…’
Protect the Environment
Here are a few key guidelines you can follow to protect the local flora and fauna when traveling:
Stay on the designated path.
Don’t touch or pet wildlife.
Don’t touch coral reefs or sea stars. Be careful with fins when snorkelling.
Use reef-safe sunscreen, and rinse off any bug spray before swimming in natural waters.
Don’t feed wild animals, even if others are doing it.
‘…people and cultures are not set in stone…’
When you drink local you get a taste of the place that you’re in. Whether that’s at home or on the road, most craft makers love to showcase the local ingredients and flavours in their drinks. This also means you We hope this guide will help start conversations that cover ethical travel. Whether making more sustainable travel decisions, being more responsible, or somewhere in-between, our decisions help make a difference in the communities we travel to.
Is there anything you’d like to add on ethical tourism? Tell us in the comments!
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