Sucheta's Open Road

SUCHETA RAWAL

Food & Travel Writer

“Maybe your family members will say, 'You're wasting your time finding yourself. When are you going to get serious?' Ignore them. Fun can also be work; you can tie in the two.”

INTERESTS:

Travel Non-Profit Organizations

THEMES DISCUSSED:

Exploration Transitions Hobbies & Pastimes Opportunity Choices Support & Encouragement Fulfillment Passion Dedication Inspiration Struggle Planning Determination

FOUNDATION:

Communicating / Sharing Stories

BIOGRAPHY:

  • Born and raised in India; moved to the United States at age 17 to go to Georgia State University.
  • She always had an interest in food and writing, so in between getting her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, she wrote restaurant reviews for a magazine column and taught cooking classes.
  • She received her master’s degree in finance and worked in investment banking right out of college for a few years, but quickly became disinterested in the work.
  • One perk of her job at the time was generous amounts of paid time off, so she started traveling all over the world and began helping her friends and coworkers do the same.
  • With the support of those around her, she started a travel advice blog called Go Eat Give—its success eventually allowed her to leave the cubicle behind and travel full time.
  • Credits her “volunteer vacations” to Russia and Morocco with changing her from a tourist to a meaningful traveler—she emphasizes volunteering and giving back wherever you go in the world.
  • Those trips inspired her to transform her blog into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that plans sustainable tours and encourages people to learn about other cultures through food and travel.
  • She has now traveled to over 75 countries, written four children’s books about travel, is a sought-after writer and speaker, and continues to teach cooking classes.

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