How One American Teen Saw 118 Countries: Best Food, Travel Hacks & a Surprising Disappointment

Arjun Malaviya, a 19-year-old from Westlake Village, California, has embarked on an extraordinary journey, solo traveling to 118 countries by the time he turned 19. Setting out on his 17th birthday with a budget of $22,500 saved through part-time jobs, Arjun aimed to see the world alone before age 20. His global trek has taken him from peaceful tropical islands to conflict zones, making him the youngest solo traveler to visit 100 countries, and a notable explorer of some of the world’s most remote and challenging destinations.

Early Ambition and Unique Travel Style

Arjun’s passion for travel was inspired by early family trips and a deep curiosity about different cultures. After graduating high school early and finishing general education courses, Arjun prioritized exploring the world over immediate college attendance. His itinerary started with regions with established tourism infrastructures like Southeast Asia and Europe for confidence-building, then progressed to more complex areas in South America, the Middle East, and Oceania.

He booked accommodations on short notice, often seeking Airbnb hosts willing to discount or waive fees in exchange for direct cash payments. Avoiding crowded hostels due to health concerns, Arjun preferred local stays and once even slept on floors in remote huts, describing these experiences as rewarding despite modest conditions. At times, budget constraints pushed him to improvise, like sleeping overnight at Australian airports.

Diverse Adventures and Cultural Experiences

Arjun’s travel highlights include riding scooters on airport runways in the South Pacific island of Tuvalu, playing soccer with village children in Papua New Guinea, and freediving in the marine-rich waters of Palau. In Slovenia, he explored scenic Lake Bled, while he cherished long walks around Cambodia’s Angkor Wat temple complex. Bolivia captivated him with its otherworldly salt flats and pristine natural beauty.

Despite traveling to countries often seen as conflict zones, such as Iraq and Afghanistan, Arjun described his experiences there as surprisingly positive, encountering kindness and curiosity from locals. His journey was not without danger: he once sought shelter from a Russian missile attack during a day trip to Odessa, Ukraine, and was detained by Venezuelan airport officials who doubted his solo travel status due to his age.

Lessons Learned: Humanity and Resilience

Throughout his travels, Arjun found that despite cultural and political differences, people’s fundamental desires overlap. Regardless of religion or nationality, many seek basic needs like food, education, employment, and a better life for future generations. This understanding shaped his worldview, emphasizing shared humanity over divisive labels.

Traveling solo taught him to be “comfortable being uncomfortable,” strengthening his negotiation skills, situational awareness, and emotional resilience. His calm composure during tense moments often helped defuse potentially difficult situations, including interactions with security forces and unpredictable environments.

Challenges and Disappointments

Not all experiences were positive or thrilling. Arjun was disappointed with highly touristy destinations like Singapore and Thailand, feeling they lacked authentic cultural depth. Small isolated nations such as Nauru and Tuvalu impressed with natural beauty but left him reflective about the limited opportunities for local youth and challenges like expensive air travel and health impacts due to processed foods.

He diplomatically declined to single out any place as unwelcoming, attributing negative encounters mainly to unfamiliarity and misunderstanding rather than hostility.

Looking Forward: Continuing the Quest

Currently a computer engineering student at UC Santa Barbara, Arjun plans to continue his global exploration to reach all 195 countries in the world. He encourages other young people to pursue travel as a way to confront biases, learn firsthand about diverse cultures, and grow personally.

Arjun’s story inspires beyond wanderlust—it represents curiosity, courage, and connecting people across borders in an increasingly interconnected world. His journey exemplifies how travel can broaden perspectives and foster humanity in an era of misinformation and division.