My name is Vania and I was chosen as one of the winners for OWHC’s 2026 Youth Traveling Scholarship! Thanks to this scholarship, I’ll be documenting and sharing a series of incredible journeys.
I am a 20 year old who grew up as a third-culture kid, so I am familiar with embracing different cultures and perspectives. However, this doesn’t mean I’m never surprised by the things I learn when traveling and meeting new people! Rather, I find myself more and more curious to learn. I enjoy studying languages and international politics, and playing instruments.
To me, heritage is everything that holds the stories of people and places that came before us. This includes, objects, music, literature, buildings, nature, and even politics. These hold legacies that impact us in some way today.
We are living in the “heritage” of tomorrow and must work to preserve our own stories while encouraging a sustainable future, in all aspects. This is OWHC and UNESCO’s mission, too!
Through my project’s title, odes to yesteryear and the hereafter, I hope to capture both the history and the possible future of each place I encounter. Some words that will guide my exploration are: engage, learn, transform, and communicate.
Some of my stops include Philadelphia, Amsterdam, Tarragona, and Avila, with more to follow. In addition to my blogs, I’ll be capturing my experiences through poetry and pictures, to honor and preserve the stories I discover for myself.
Though this is short, and hopefully sweet, there will be more to come. Stay tuned! ^^
~ Vania
@daras_ventures
