YouTube star travels to 99 countries and learns something crucial about himself

Paul “Barbs” Barbato, known for his YouTube channel Geography Now, has traveled to 99 countries in the last decade. His channel, dedicated to profiling every country in the world, has nearly four million subscribers and over 450 million views. Through these trips, Barbato not only learned a lot about different cultures, but also a lot about himself, reports Newsweek.

Barbato also improved his French skills in Bangui, Central African Republic. In Nuuk, Greenland, he learned to drive a car with a manual transmission. “It was fascinating how each culture taught me something new,” he said, according to Newsweek. These experiences have helped him better understand his own identity as a hapa – half-Asian and half-American.

YouTube star travels the world and finds true identity

In 2014, Barbato launched his YouTube channel with the aim of documenting all countries recognized by the United Nations. Newsweek reports that he has created 193 videos to date. “I often felt unsure of where I belonged, but my travels to Korea helped me find a connection to my heritage,” he explained.

His project officially ended on October 15, 2024. Despite completing his original endeavor, Barbato believes he has only scratched the surface of learning about the world. Newsweek emphasizes that for him geography is more than a subject – it is a way of life that teaches him to remain curious and appreciate the diversity of the world.

Traveling as a Teacher: 13 Life Lessons from Exploring the World

The travel magazine “The Real World” emphasizes the transformative power of travel by taking you out of your comfort zone and introducing you to new cultures and people. According to a report on The Real World, travelers are learning to value experiences over material things. A study in the Journal of Psychological Science shows that experiences bring more and longer-lasting satisfaction than material possessions.

“The Real World” highlights that travel teaches patience and humility. Whether there are long waiting times or communication problems, the challenges along the way strengthen resilience and adaptability. In addition, the experience of natural beauty and its fragility shows the need to protect the environment and appreciate the little things in life. “Travel opens us to humanity and teaches us to think outside the box,” the report read.