To start — tell us about yourself.

Ahmed Magdi (22 years old) is a medical student at Al-Azhar University. He loves volunteer work; over time his responsibilities grew until he became a board member of the “Life Makers” Association. He also enjoys travel, reading and poetry.

Isn’t your field of study rather far from your hobbies?

He says that his desire for knowledge, travel and work complement one another. He loves to learn about different cultures and decided to combine practical experience with travel. Visiting different countries allowed him to gain knowledge and cultural experiences that enrich his life.

On what basis did you choose the countries to visit?

I read a lot about many Asian countries and wanted to see everything I had read about with my own eyes.

How did you plan your trips?

I decided to start my journeys from Asia after choosing the right time and doing detailed planning. I continued the trip as a round-the-world style journey, drawing a budget and arranging accommodation and transport with suitable prices.

How did the idea come to you?

Through volunteer work and local trips inside Egypt I accumulated many experiences that made me ask: “What if I travel abroad? What would I gain and how would I benefit?” From that questioning the idea of travelling was born.

He added:

At first I hesitated and asked myself whether I had the time, and whether I could travel given the nature of studying medicine. I realized that “not having time” was only an excuse we repeat and believe. With good planning I found that I could make use of every minute of my life. As the poet said, life is a book in which thought matters — so I gathered my ideas and decided to make the best use of my time through travel.

What about your first trips?

My first trip was three years ago to Russia through a student exchange program. I came back with new ambitions and goals. From that experience I decided to broaden my horizons by repeating new experiences instead of waiting for another chance.

What was the purpose of your trip to Russia?

To learn about every new development in the field of medicine, to improve my practical skills, and to meet different cultures and ways of life.

Did modern technology help you travel more easily?

Indeed — through social media I was able to secure accommodation and transportation at much lower costs.

What caught your attention most in each country you visited?

The morals and humility of people, and the openness that the Indonesian people live by. In Indonesia, for example, I climbed a high mountain with some young people. We exchanged stories, laughed, and shared food. The trip was tiring but unforgettable. In Malaysia I admired the natural beauty and the people’s respect for differences. In India, what fascinated me most was coexistence despite diversity. And in Sri Lanka, nature appeared in its most beautiful form, full of greenery and animals spread everywhere. During my entry to one of the temples, I was surprised by a request to participate in a pre-marriage course for couples before marriage — which amazed me.

Tell us about your family’s role in supporting and encouraging you.

I can’t deny my family’s support, especially my mother. She gave me strength and filled me with confidence before I traveled to Russia.

What message would you send today to young people?

Always pursue your dreams with persistence. Don’t let anything stop you, no matter the obstacles. If you fail, try again and again until you succeed. We are like the wind, and the sea and the years are like sails that carry us forward. Even if the sails tear, the wind continues to push us forward. As the saying goes: “The winds do not carry a ship without sails.”

People say travel teaches. What did travel add to your personality? Did it change you, and how?

Travel gave me new experiences in many countries, and a chance to live among different people with varied habits and cultures. This left a clear mark on my personality and taught me many lessons in life.

Did you face any difficult situations on your journeys? How did you deal with them?

Yes, many. Among them: – I once lost my bag containing my passport and important documents. – In Sri Lanka, I climbed a mountain and lost my way for two days without food or water. Yet every difficulty taught me patience and how to rely on myself.