Today we’d like to introduce you to Sylwia Oles.
Hi Sylwia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I was always curious about the world, even though I did not grow up traveling. My dad worked abroad when I was growing up, and I think I take after him. My journey with travel started when I decided to take a gap year after my first year of college and come to the United States. Little did I know that I was going to stay in the U.S. for much longer than a year.
My main goal was to practice English. I was studying English as a Second Language (ESL) in Poland to be a teacher. I wanted to find a better way to practice my language skills outside the classroom. Deep inside, I wanted to travel and learn about the world. I tried to see as much as I could in that first year while working full-time as an au pair. An au pair is a live-in nanny. It is a program that allows young women and men from foreign countries to come to the U.S., stay with an American family, and take care of their children while getting to know American culture.
I continued my journey with travel when I went to college. I participated in two study abroad programs. I spent a semester in England and another one in China. In graduate school, I continued to travel whenever I had free time. During all my travel years, I shared pictures and travel stories with friends and family. However, it wasn’t until graduate school that I first thought about starting a travel blog. I was working on a school project that required me to build a website. That’s how I developed an interest in web development. This project inspired me to want to build a website to house my own work. I also wanted to share my travel memories in a way that is helpful to other travelers. That’s how the idea of the Curious Wanderess travel blog came about, even though the name came a bit later.
I’ve always been passionate about travel and photography. Now, I have a place that combines all my interests: travel, photography, and web development.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s been a bumpy road for sure. I came to the U.S. with one suitcase and a visa good for a year. It was a few years before I received my green card and was able to take students loans to go to college. I found college essential in improving my language skills, learning to write, and preparing me for a professional career. Outside of formal college education, I took some photography and web development classes. That’s how I gained the knowledge and skills to start a travel blog, outside of the actual travel experiences.
When it comes to maintaining a blog, I can think of two barriers that get in the way. One is imposter syndrome. Sometimes, you can’t help but compare yourself to others. I question whether my pictures are good enough, if the information I share is helpful, or if anyone even reads it. In the end, everyone’s story and experiences are different. Everyone brings something to the table in their own unique ways, and that’s what matters. Another big obstacle is time management. It is hard to start a blog when you have a full-time job. Outside of traveling and planning trips, you have to find time to write articles, edit pictures, maintain your website, and engage with your audience on social media channels. That is a lot of work, especially if you don’t make any money doing it. You need to stay consistent and passionate about what you do. It takes grit. Otherwise, you get burned out quickly.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have a travel blog, the Curious Wanderess. I blog in two languages, English and Polish. On the blog, I talk about both international and domestic travel. Right now, I try to have fun blogging as I document my adventures. Even though my niche is not well defined I focus on the outdoors with a touch of history. I have always felt most relaxed in nature. I love to learn about other cultures and immerse myself in new experiences. I try to share helpful guides and itineraries with tips to help fellow travelers plan their dream adventures. My goal is to inspire others to travel more, whether it is an international destination or their own backyard.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Several people helped me get where I am today. Two people who were essential to me even staying in the U.S. are my friend Joanna and my partner, Marvin. Joanna was my first friend in the U.S., a fellow au pair. She took me under her roof when I left the program and helped me get on my own feet. I met Marvin after being in the U.S. for 2 years. He helped me learn about American culture and has been very supportive over the years. My parents have always been there for me, supporting me even though they would much rather have me home. My editor Callie has been essential in helping me organize my travel content and making sure that my English makes sense. I also want to mention that a lot of kind strangers helped me over the years when I was navigating this world all by myself.
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@curiouswanderess.com
- Website: https://curiouswanderess.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curious_wanderess/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/curiouswanderess
