Learn how slow immersive travel can deepen cultural understanding and transform how you see the world and yourself. Alexa Moore shares how studying abroad in India transformed her confidence as a traveler and opened her mind to a life of exploring the world. She talks about her Jamaican-American upbringing in the Washington, D.C. area, living and working in Namibia after college, taking a 24-hour bus journey from Windhoek to Cape Town, and developing a deep connection with the African continent. Alexa reflects on exploring Johannesburg and Soweto, engaging critically with the legacy of apartheid, and learning about contemporary xenophobia and the experiences of African immigrants in South Africa. She also shares stories of hospitality and human connection in Senegal before taking us to Ghana, where she experienced the historic Year of Return, explored Accra during the high-energy Detty December season, and discovered a different side of the country through the Volta Region, Mole National Park, local food, surfing, and conversations with people along the way. Throughout the episode, Alexa reflects on how cultural immersion, historical awareness, curiosity, and meaningful connections with local people can challenge our assumptions and deepen our understanding of the places we visit.
Studying Abroad in India, Living in Namibia and Traveling Deeper Through South Africa & Ghana with Alexa Moore (Ep 412)
Episode Summary
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About the Guest

Alexa Moore
Alexa Moore is an award-winning travel creator and freelance travel writer for publications such as Matador Network and Lonely Planet. Born and raised in the Washington, DC metro area, she quit her full-time job in the Environmental sector in 2022, to pursue her dream of becoming a full-time travel creator. Today she can now be found at the handle @lilmsawkward where she has over 250K followers on social media. Her content centers on solo travel, cultural exploration, and her goal is to encourage people to wiggle out of their comfort zones and explore the world.
What You'll Learn
- How studying abroad in India and living in Namibia transformed Alexa’s confidence, worldview and approach to travel.
- How to travel deeper through South Africa by engaging critically with apartheid history, xenophobia and immigrant experiences.
- How to experience Ghana beyond Accra and the Detty December tourism season through local culture, nature, food and human connection.
Links From the Episode
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CONTACT AND FOLLOW ALEXA
PREVIOUS MAVERICK SHOW PODCAST GUESTS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
LOCATIONS WHERE THE INTERVIEW TOOK PLACE
- Alexa: Alexandria, Virginia
- Matt: Asheville, North Carolina
WINES CONSUMED DURING THIS INTERVIEW
APP MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
COUNTRIES WITH THE BEST JOLLOF
EVENTS IN GHANA MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
UNIVERSITIES WHERE MATT AND ALEXA WENT TO COLLEGE
- John Carroll University (Matt)
- University of Pittsburgh (Alexa)
OTHER PEOPLE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
- August Wilson
- Bishop Desmond Tutu
- Denzel Washington
- Nelson Mandela
- President Barack Obama
- Viola Davis
PLACES IN INDIA MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE
PLACES IN GHANA MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
PLACES IN JAMAICA MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
PLACES IN JOHANNESBURG MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
PLACES IN NAMIBIA MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
PLACES IN SENEGAL MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
PLACES IN CAPE TOWN MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
OTHER PLACES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
- Bangladesh
- Belgium
- Cairo (Egypt)
- Cape Town
- Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
- Czech Republic
- Democratic Republic of the Congo (DC)
- Ecuador
- England
- Ghana
- India
- Jamaica
- Johannesburg (Jo‘burg)
- Lagos (Nigeria)
- Mauritania
- Munich (Germany)
- Namibia
- Norway
- Rio de Janeiro
- Wyoming
- Senegal
- The Gambia
Time Stamped Show Notes
**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode.
[0:12] Introducing Alexa Moore
[2:27] Does “Lil Ms. Awkward” Still Accurately Describe Alexa Today
[4:25] Her Mother’s Experience Immigrating from Jamaica
[5:36] Growing up as a Jamaican-American
[9:45] Traveling and Exposure to Cultural Diversity Growing Up
[11:04] Navigating the Diverse Milieu of Blackness in the U.S.
[12:27] Highlights from College in Pittsburgh
[16:32] Studying Abroad in India
[23:39] The Impact of Living in India
[28:33] Living in Namibia after College
[34:22] South Africa
[48:18] Senegal
[52:58] Ghana
[1:05:18] Contact and Follow Alexa