This Seat’s Taken interview series: Jess & Ron of Unearth the Voyage

One of the things we’ve loved about doing this interview series is that we get to learn so many amazing things and meet so many amazing couples – right along with you. Getting to know Jess and Ron of Unearth the Voyage felt very much like looking in the mirror, at least as far as how they travel and interact together, and we’re so excited to learn from their many travel experiences.

What’s your story?

Ron and I met through mutual friends at a bar back in college. He was already graduated, working and living in our college town, and I was in my senior year. We both had only traveled to places in the US before we met but I had always had a dream to visit Africa someday. After dating for a year I finally got up the courage to go to Africa, alone, as Ron couldn’t leave his job. When living in Africa for a couple months I met a girl who had taught English in South Korea and made a decent living doing so. I had never heard of teaching abroad and being in Africa sparked a deep itch to continue seeing the rest of the world.

When I came home I convinced Ron to move to South Korea with me to teach English. We had only been dating for a year and had no idea what we were getting ourselves into. Thankfully we had an amazing experience living abroad and learned, grew and met so many incredible people. After a year of teaching we set off on a 6 month backpacking adventure around Southeast Asia. Traveling together tested our relationship in ways we never knew, but ultimately it made us stronger and fall even more in love. We have now been together for almost 6 years and are getting married in 2019!

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Do you have the same travel style or different travel styles? How does this impact your adventures together?

We have the exact opposite travel styles. I enjoy seeing, doing and learning as much as possible when I’m in a new place. I have extreme FOMO and after traveling with Ron I have learned how to control it… kind of. Ron enjoys having time to relax and lay on the beach while reading a book. You should see me trying to lay on the beach – I’m usually out looking for a snorkel mask or kayak. Although, having different travel styles has taught us how to communicate and compromise. We try to plan out our time so that we can both do the things we want to do.

What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned from traveling as partners? What makes your partnership work on the road?

I think the biggest thing we have learned from traveling as partners is that we are our own people and we have to work together to compromise so we both feel fulfilled. Communication is key when on the road! Just because you saw something you really want to do doesn’t mean that your partner wants to do that, so it’s important to communicate your feelings.

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What’s the best part about traveling as partners? And the biggest challenge?

The best part is by far having those memories and experiences to look back on together. It is great having someone by your side that had or is having the same experience as you so you can share the excitement and wander of exploring a new place together.

The biggest challenge is accepting your partner might not want to do the same things as you or did not have the same feelings about something that you did. Also, if things don’t go as planned or you had a bad travel day, it can be easy to take your frustrations out on each other.

Based on your experience, what’s the best advice you have for couples who have just scheduled their first trip together?

Go with the flow! Sometimes the best and worst part of traveling is the unexpected, and it all depends on how you handle it. If things aren’t working out how you expected, take a deep breath and remember that life will go on. Compromise and communicate about everything! Enjoy the small things, and take some time just for yourselves to reflect on the awesome experience you are having.

Any additional thoughts or words of wisdom?

Traveling can spur your sense of adventure and just plain FUN! Take the time to go explore a new place that you both have been dying to go to at least once a year! Adventures in the end bring you closer together and hopefully will make you a stronger, more badass couple!

Don’t forget to share the wisdom!