JESSICA RAMOSHABA, 36, TRUE LOVE FASHION EDITOR

Pretoria-born and bred Jessica found her current career through a visit to London in 2006. Her passion for travel was sparked during a Contiki tour in her early 20s, followed by an opportunity to live in Japan for a year while working for the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Upon her return, her craving for a career shift nudged her, leading her to resign without a plan. That same year, she visited London for a month with the hope of discovering herself. The UK city introduced her to the endless possibilities of a new career. Later that year, she relocated to the English capital for three years to work as a styling assistant, and then later moved to Dubai where she worked for Emirates and Harper’s Bazaar Arabia.

“I remember how reluctant I was when my then boss at the DTI seconded me to Japan . Before moving there, I was averse to the idea of eating sushi but once I was immersed in Japanese culture, there was no dodging this staple. In hindsight, my Japan chapter taught me to take risks, that comfort zones make for a dull life, and the power of friendships. My two-and-a-half year stint in Dubai was one of the best experiences of my life so far, introducing me to a life most of us will probably aspire to our whole lives. From having your dry cleaning picked up at the door to yachting on weekends, the quality of life in Dubai was something else. The beauty in not only travelling to a place, but experiencing it like a local, is that you’ll forever be a part of it — I can always tap into Japan and Dubai whenever the craving arises.”

Travelling, to me, is... An opportunity to feel human again. It’s also about pausing my life to escape everyday reality, and reflect on what matters the most!