We recently connected with Amarachi Huelsenbeck and have shared our conversation below.

Amarachi, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The Context & Circumstances:
The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is actually my travel blog. As a young Nigerian who had never left the country, international travel felt completely out of reach – it wasn’t even something I dared to dream about. Then I got an opportunity through work to travel to France, which was my very first international trip. Getting that Schengen visa was eye-opening because I realised it opened doors to visit other European countries.

The Discovery & Inspiration:
During that trip, I discovered hostels through reading other travel blogs, and it completely changed my perspective on what was possible with limited resources. I realised there were so many people like me who probably thought travel was impossible due to financial constraints or lack of exposure.

The Action & Challenge:
That experience inspired me to start my own travel blog specifically to show people from similar backgrounds that travel was achievable. I wanted to document practical strategies and budget-friendly approaches. To really prove this point, I challenged myself to visit 3 African countries with less than $40 – that became the cornerstone content that really drove the project forward.

Why It’s Meaningful:
This project is meaningful to me because it represents breaking down barriers – both my own mental barriers and helping others break down theirs. It combined my technical skills in content creation with a genuine desire to democratize travel for people who might not see it as accessible. It taught me that sometimes the most impactful projects come from personal experience and wanting to help others overcome similar challenges.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Who I Am & My Journey:

I’m Amarachi, a software engineer by profession and a passionate travel blogger who’s on a mission to democratize travel for people with “weak” passports and limited resources. My journey into travel blogging began from a place of pure disbelief – as a young Nigerian who had never stepped foot outside my country, international travel felt like an impossible dream reserved for others.

Everything changed when I got my first work opportunity that took me to France. Getting that Schengen visa was a revelation – suddenly, I realised that doors I never knew existed were opening. During that trip, I discovered the world of budget travel through hostels and travel blogs, and it completely shifted my perspective on what was possible.

What I Do & The Problems I Solve:

Through my travel blog, I create comprehensive resources specifically designed for budget-conscious travellers and those from countries with travel restrictions. My content includes:

– Detailed travel guides and itineraries that maximise experiences while minimising costs
– Real cost breakdowns showing exactly how much trips cost, down to the last dollar
– Visa application guidance specifically for travellers with challenging passport situations
– Honest reviews and personal experiences that give readers realistic expectations
– Budget travel strategies like my famous “3 African countries with less than $40” challenge

I solve the problem of accessibility, making travel feel achievable for people who think it’s out of reach due to financial constraints, passport limitations, or simply a lack of exposure to travel possibilities.

What Sets Me Apart:

What makes my work unique is authenticity born from genuine experience. I’m not writing from a place of privilege about budget travel – I’m someone who truly understands the constraints and challenges my audience faces. When I share a $40 multi-country trip, it’s because I’ve actually done it. When I write about visa applications for Nigerian passport holders, it’s because I’ve navigated those exact challenges.

I also bring my technical background as a software engineer to the travel space, which helps me create more organised, detailed, and user-friendly content.

What I’m Most Proud Of:

I’m incredibly proud that I haven’t let my “limiting” passport or background stop my drive to explore the world. But more than my personal travels, I’m proud of the impact, knowing that I’ve inspired several travellers to take that crucial first step toward achieving their travel goals. There’s something powerful about showing people who look like you, who come from where you come from, that their dreams are valid and achievable.

What I Want People to Know:

The main message I want potential followers to understand is that travel is not a privilege reserved for the wealthy or those from certain countries – it’s a skill that can be learned and a dream that can be achieved with the right information, planning, and mindset.

My blog isn’t just about sharing pretty pictures (though I do that too!); it’s about practical empowerment. Every guide I write, every cost breakdown I share, every visa tip I provide is designed to turn someone’s “impossible dream” into a concrete, actionable plan.

Whether you’re planning your first international trip, trying to maximise a tight budget, or navigating complex visa requirements, I want my platform to be the resource that makes you think, “Okay, I can actually do this.”

My Mission:

Ultimately, I’m working to change the narrative around who gets to be a traveller. Through detailed, honest, and accessible content, I’m building a community where travel dreams aren’t limited by passport colour, bank account size, or country of origin – they’re only limited by imagination and willingness to take that first step.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in the travel blogging space is the moment of transformation – when someone goes from “I could never do that” to “I’m actually booking my trip.”

There’s something deeply fulfilling about creating content that represents people who rarely see themselves in travel media. When I share my experiences as a Nigerian traveller navigating visa challenges, I’m not just documenting a trip – I’m creating a mirror for people who’ve been told that travel isn’t “for them.” The creativity lies in finding ways to make these stories both inspiring and practically actionable.

The most rewarding moments come through the messages I receive – people telling me they took their first international trip because of something I wrote, or that they finally applied for that visa they’d been scared to pursue. Knowing that my creative work has a tangible impact on someone’s life, that it literally opens up new worlds for them, is incredibly fulfilling.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My creative journey isn’t about visiting every country – it’s about changing who gets to see themselves as a traveller. I’m driven by a simple mission: to show people from developing countries and those with “weak” passports that travel is possible for them too.

My goal is that someone in Nigeria, Kenya, or anywhere with travel restrictions can find practical, honest guidance written by someone who truly understands their challenges. Every piece of content I create – whether it’s visa guides, budget breakdowns, or honest reviews – is designed to turn someone’s “impossible dream” into an actionable plan. The goal isn’t to see everything myself; it’s to help others see that they can.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.travelwithapen.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amarachiekekwe/
• Twitter: https://x.com/amarachiekekweh