G Isabelle: Dominican Abroad
G Isabelle is a world traveler, writer, entrepreneur, and most importantly a proud Dominican! She's the powerhouse behind the site Dominican Abroad which aims to break stereotypes, spread unique and multicultural perspectives, and inspire other underprivileged Dominicans/POC/multicultural hybrids to travel. Since launching, her work has since been featured in publications like Forbes, Entrepreneur, Huffington Post, and many more! Her nuanced approaches to traveling and embarking on quests in the unknown are refreshing to read and pointed reminders that we can all explore wholeheartedly if we put our minds to it. As a Dominican-American myself, it was exciting to come across perspectives that lined up so close to mine. Coming across her work provided me with a sense of understanding and acknowledgment I didn't even know I was seeking and I'm sure it'll do the same for you! Throughout this interview, we covered topics related to identity, lessons learned abroad, minimalism, and lots more. Keep reading for your dose of much-needed inspiration!
How did you begin to navigate the landscape of your multicultural identity?
It began as a child when I noticed that I didn’t look like everyone else. I didn’t look like the people on TV or the people (family, classmates, neighbors) around me in real life. I realized we all had such distinct and varying features. That’s when I first began to question my racial and cultural identity… And then, after moving out of the Bronx and living in a small white American town and then later traveling the world, I began to realize how distinctly complex my multicultural identity was relative to linear Americans.
Based on your experience abroad, do most people know where D.R is?
No, not really. Unless they’re from the Caribbean or of Caribbean descent, most people I’ve met abroad (or even Americans outside of NYC) are surprised to hear it’s a country in the Caribbean that shares an island with Haiti.
Do you consider the work you’re doing to be important in terms of adding another layer to the representation of Dominicans internationally?
Yes! Absolutely. It’s part of my mission and the very reason behind my username. I want to uplift other Dominicans (especially Bronx Dominican nerds interested in exploring the world) who are lacking the representation and inspiration internationally and domestically. Our diverse complexities and their effects are often overlooked and that’s something I want to blast light onto.
When did you realize you caught the travel bug?
When I was little I’d watch a lot of TV, read tons of books, and made loads of online friends from around the world, I realized the lives of the people I watched, read about, or spoke to were nothing like mine. I knew there was more out there in the world. Which can be both soul-crushing and motivating. Then in college, I decided to study abroad in Europe for a year. It was one of the most memorable times of my life, I traveled all around Europe while studying there. And the first week I was back in NYC, I remember telling my friends that I wanted to go to Asia next. And they looked at me perplexed and sputtered: “But you just got back!” So somewhere along those experiences between wonder and experience, I caught the travel bug.
What are the sentiments your family holds about you spending so much time away from home?
For a very long time, not only did they think it was totally insane but they wouldn’t believe it. They thought I was joking every time I said I was traveling to the other side of the world. Today, they finally accept it. And I think I’ve rubbed off on them. They’re finally planning their first trip outside of North America/DR… they’re going to Cuba!
What are some aspects of travel that you don’t feel get enough attention?
Political landscapes of different countries. Especially the fascinating history of communism in authoritarian countries such as: Vietnam, Cuba, and Myanmar. - U.S. intervention in so many countries especially in Latin America. Did you know that the Dominican Republic was invaded TWICE by the U.S.? In 1916 and 1965. Which has contributed to our unstable environments and thus the migration to the United States which they’re now so passionately trying to combat as if they didn’t start the problem for why we’re immigrating in the first place.- The effects of colonialism in these countries, and wondering what their trajectories would be like if it weren’t for colonial disruption/rampage.- How racism, sexism, and homophobia are prevalent almost everywhere but they don’t get the attention we put on it in countries like the U.S.
It’s incredibly therapeutic to venture out into your own solo journey in a new world. You find your strengths, discover your limits, and you get to know yourself in ways you couldn’t if you were distracted with others or at home in your usual routine.
What are the top 3 lessons travel has taught you?
To try to understand more and judge less.Nothing new happens under the sun and nothing is forever.You can’t ever run away, the only way out is in.
What are some habits you’ve adopted that have led to your success?
Adapting Cuba's “resolver” mentality.Learning that I can’t save everyone.Setting boundaries, which is hard in the Bronx Dominican culture and especially for a woman.Embracing vulnerability.
How do you reconcile with your family and loved ones back home not understanding aspects of your post-travel evolved self?
I was always the black sheep, so it’s nothing new to reconcile with! I just try to be understanding that there are things we are all exposed to that change us in ways that others may not be able to relate to.
I really appreciate the minimalist approach you take to traveling, you do a great job at challenging the idea that we need a ton of things to make our experiences enjoyable. What are some luxuries that you’ve proved to do well without when you’re on the road?
Thanks! I’ve had to shave down a lot of clutter in the last few years but it’s felt cathartic. I try to invest in a handful of high-quality items instead of constantly buying cheap things that don’t last. For instance, I invest in a few pairs of high quality and versatile items instead of 20 pairs of poor quality/cheap things that won’t last me more than a year. And I learned to hang dry my clothes which has been revolutionary. The drier destroys clothing quality! (I didn’t have a drier until I was 20 years old, so I had no idea).
What are your favorite resources to learn and expand your creative imagination? (can be books, videos, blogs etc)
Books and audiobooks! My favorite types of books are about history or narratives by women who I can relate to (Like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie) or about self-growth (also important for us Bronx Dominican folks who didn’t have the space to reflect as much on self-growth because we were too busy struggling to survive).
Is it true that women shouldn’t travel alone? What are some suggestions you have for women who’d like to do so?
Absolutely not true. Women can and should (if they want to) travel alone. It’s incredibly therapeutic to venture out into your own solo journey in a new world. You find your strengths, discover your limits, and you get to know yourself in ways you couldn’t if you were distracted with others or at home in your usual routine.
If there was one message you could get out to the world what would it be?
Don’t underestimate the deep effects and profound layers of social construct. As a WOC I’ve often faced appeal to nature arguments from racists, sexists, homophobes, and other people who try to use what they claim to be in our “human nature” to excuse their bigotry/privilege. They ignore how much of what we do, think, feel is purely a product of thousands of years of social constructionism and our amazing ability to adapt.
Connect with Isabelle on Instagram and head to her site Dominican Abroad!
