Around the world and back

Within a year, she travels to 21 countries on four continents, gets to know a wide variety of people – and finds herself in the process. "I never felt lonely, not even once," says Toma Kubiliute firmly, shaking her head. In one year, the Lithuanian native has experienced more than others do in their entire lives. When she decided to travel around the world in 2016, it was clear to her that she wanted to do it alone. "Besides the countries and cultures I wanted to explore, I was also interested in breaking away from everyday life for a longer period of time, reflecting and getting to know myself better," Kubiliute says. It is by no means a matter of course that she, as a woman, should embark on such a journey alone, even more so because she is deaf.

But Kubiliute, whose Operations team at DZ BANK is involved in reviewing capital markets transactions, is spurred on by just that. "There have been deaf men who have traveled solo, but just no women yet," she says. With her plans firmly in mind, she makes an appointment with HR for a sabbatical. Before that, she lets her group leader in on her venture. "Of course, everyone wanted to know what I was planning, what I wanted to use the year for." After describing her plans she was not only granted approval but earned the respect and admiration of her colleagues. "The next thing I knew, I submitted an application, and eight months later I left," she recalls. "It was really straightforward."

Kubiliute uses the interim time for planning. "Eight months for such an undertaking is rather tight, but it was still enough." At the top of her list is Africa. "That was the only thing that was set for me, after that I wanted to plan on the move and remain flexible," she explains. She flies to Tanzania, where a cultural week for the deaf is taking place at the time – an ideal prelude. "I've been to Tanzania a few times and have fallen in love with the country." Kubiliute even volunteers to help out at the event getting ionvolved wherever she can. "It's been a very exciting experience. As the only white woman, I naturally attracted attention and got to talk to a lot of people," she says.

The local people – whether hearing or deaf – meet her with openness and great interest. "I made an incredible number of contacts there, which I still maintain today." In the end, her first stay expands from five to seven weeks. "I could have stayed even longer, that's how comfortable and welcome I was made to feel."

Nevertheless, she continues her trip. She travels by train to Zambia, then on to Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Lesotho – all without a plane. "I only traveled by bus, train, car or boat. And I don't mean the tourist bus. It wasn't always safe, but it was adventurous." She stays in Africa for a total of four months before continuing to Asia and on to North and South America, where she spends another five and four months, respectively. Wherever she goes, she experiences the benefits of solo traveling. "You're perceived differently when you're traveling alone and are more likely to be approached.

As a woman – especially a deaf woman – people often feel particularly compelled to offer protection. In the best possible way. No matter where she goes, Kubiliute is warmly welcomed, invited to dinner, accommodated and even introduced to the whole village at times. "Sometimes I had to really pull myself out to find some peace," she smiles.

The fact that she is deaf does not detract from the intercultural exchange: "Abroad, hearing and deaf people alike are confronted with language barriers. You automatically switch to body language. For the deaf, it's sometimes easier to understand because we think very visually." In addition, many of the cultures in which Kubiliute immerses herself use body language to communicate anyway. But she also makes do via writing, text and translation apps. "And when we didn't have a pen or cell phone at hand, we turned to nature and drew in the sand with sticks, for example."

Only in South America does she find communication a little more difficult. "I have English skills, but I don't know Spanish. That was challenging in South America." Same language or not, what Kubiliute notices everywhere: Everyone takes the time to interact with her. "People were never annoyed, but always eager to communicate with me. In Germany, unfortunately, I experience things differently. Here I often encounter a lack of understanding."

As her journey draws to an end, Kubiliute struggles with mixed emotions. On the one hand, she's looking forward to seeing friends and family back home, but on the other, she's not yet "fed up" with traveling. "It took me longer to settle back here and accept everything as it is." Her own social circle is forgiving, and her colleagues also take the time to help her get "back on board." Today, Kubiliute is fully back into the swing of things, but feels the lasting impact of this adventure. "I was an extremely impatient person before, that has completely changed. I also no longer place so much value on material things," she says.

Kubiliute also realizes that she urgently needs a change of location. "I haven't felt comfortable in Frankfurt for a while. While traveling, I realized how much I benefit from being in nature. So, I took action, looked for something new and moved to Munich." Having the self-confidence to do so: another positive outcome of her trip. "I've grown a bit with every challenge I've overcome along the way. Today, I feel in a position to encourage others to put their plans into action, too." And that's exactly what she does: Kubiliute gives talks all over Germany and inspires deaf and hearing people alike with her courage. Her conclusion: "I don't want to be the old Toma anymore."

The Bayerischer Rundfunk also reported about Toma Kubiliute and her journey. The video clip is available here: