Becoming a Citizen of the World

To be a Citizen of the World is to see life differently. It’s a way of thinking—a decision to see the world not as a series of borders, but as one interconnected home. It’s the freedom to define yourself on your own terms, unbound by the lines that divide maps.

Take Porfirio Rubirosa, for example. If ever there was a man who lived large, it was him. He wasn’t tied down by borders, by rules, or by anything, really. Rubirosa moved seamlessly from the swanky streets of Paris to the lively rhythms of the Dominican Republic, charming diplomats and debutantes alike. He didn’t just visit places—he owned every room he walked into. His life was a testament to the power of embracing the world without hesitation.

Then there’s Ernest Hemingway, a man who didn’t just live internationally—he inhaled life wherever he found himself. One minute he’s throwing back cocktails in a Parisian café, the next he’s writing in a sunlit villa in Cuba, and somewhere in between, he’s running with the bulls in Pamplona. Hemingway didn’t dip his toes in the water; he dove in headfirst. The world was his muse, his home, his everything.

And Anthony Bourdain? The man practically wrote the playbook on being a Citizen of the World. He wasn’t interested in the tourist spots or the Instagram-ready clichés. He wanted the grit, the flavor, the heart of a place. Whether it was slurping noodles on a plastic stool in Hanoi or sharing a quiet meal in the mountains of Morocco.

But let’s not get too carried away romanticizing it. The benefits of living borderless are real, but they’re not always wrapped up in glittering bows. Sure, you’ll gain access to cultures and perspectives most people only dream of. You’ll find yourself sipping Turkish tea in a bustling bazaar, learning the art of patience from a Japanese tea master, or negotiating a tuk-tuk fare in Bangkok. The stories you’ll collect, the friends you’ll make, the lessons you’ll learn—these are the treasures of a life lived globally.

Yet, the challenges are just as real. Cultural differences? Oh, they’ll knock you on your backside if you’re not ready. You’ll mispronounce words, commit faux pas, and probably embarrass yourself more times than you can count. But here’s the rub: every awkward, uncomfortable moment is a stepping stone to something greater.

And don’t forget homesickness. There will be days when you crave the familiar—your bed, your people, your routines. Those moments can feel like a punch to the gut, but they’re also a reminder to build connections wherever you go. A shared laugh with a local shopkeeper or a deep conversation with a fellow traveler can do wonders for your sense of belonging.

Money? Well, it’ll come and go. Traveling the world isn’t cheap, and managing currencies, bank fees, and surprise expenses can make your head spin. But if you’ve got half a brain and a bit of discipline, you’ll figure it out. Because here’s the thing: if you want this life badly enough, you’ll make it work.

So, what does it mean to be a Citizen of the World? It means living wide open—no excuses, no safety nets, no borders. It means embracing the highs, surviving the lows, and knowing that, in the end, it’s all worth it. Because once you’ve tasted life without limits, you’ll never go back.

Step 1 – Cultivate the Right Mindset

Before you book a ticket or pack a bag, understand this: the road to becoming a Citizen of the World starts between your ears. The way you think will dictate how you live. If you’re tied down by small ideas, narrow beliefs, or the fear of the unfamiliar, no amount of travel will free you. The world doesn’t owe you transformation—it’s something you cultivate within.

Start with books. Words are cheap, portable, and utterly life-changing when used right. Grab The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss—it’s a blueprint for escaping the grind and designing a life that’s truly your own. Then there’s Vagabonding by Rolf Potts, a must-read for anyone who dreams of slow travel and savoring life beyond the tourist traps. And don’t skip Nomad Capitalist by Andrew Henderson, which flips the script on traditional living and teaches you how to live smarter, freer, and with more options. If you want to see the world, first learn how others have done it.

But don’t stop at inspiration—get practical. Adopt daily habits that bring the world closer, even when you’re stuck in your hometown. Learn three words in a new language today. Just three. Watch a documentary about a country you don’t know anything about. 

The truth is, mindset isn’t built overnight. It’s forged, one small habit at a time. Every book you read, every word you learn, every choice you make to step out of your comfort zone—that’s what separates the dreamers from the doers. This isn’t just self-help fluff—it’s the foundation for living a life without borders.

And remember: the world doesn’t care if you’re ready. Start anyway.

Step 2 – Travel With Purpose

Travel isn’t just about collecting passport stamps or hopping from one Instagrammable spot to the next. It’s about transformation—elevating your worldview and connecting with places that spark something inside you. For those who are building something meaningful in life, travel becomes a way to sharpen your perspective, recharge your ambition, and inspire your next big move.

Here’s a list of cities that will do just that—destinations where culture, sophistication, and inspiration collide:

• Tbilisi, Georgia: This hidden gem combines old-world charm with a thriving creative scene. Picture cobblestone streets and a modern entrepreneurial vibe.

• Cape Town, South Africa: Where dramatic landscapes meet urban luxury. Spend your mornings hiking Table Mountain and your evenings dining at world-class waterfront restaurants.

• Kyoto, Japan: Quiet and refined, Kyoto is a place where you’ll learn the art of intentional living. Think tea ceremonies, Zen gardens, and Michelin-starred kaiseki dinners.

• Lisbon, Portugal: A sun-soaked haven for those who appreciate elegant design, and a laid-back lifestyle. It’s a city for dreamers and achievers alike.

• Mexico City, Mexico: Vibrant and unapologetically alive. It’s a melting pot of art, gastronomy, and history that will leave you endlessly inspired.

• Copenhagen, Denmark: The epitome of modern sophistication. Between cutting-edge design, hygge-inspired cafes, and Michelin-starred restaurants, this is where minimalism meets luxury.

• Istanbul, Turkey: A bridge between two worlds. Its energy is magnetic, from the grandeur of its mosques to the hustle of its bazaars.

• Vienna, Austria: A city of classical music, grand architecture, and elegant coffee houses—Vienna reminds you that sophistication is timeless.

• Buenos Aires, Argentina: Tango, art-deco architecture, and some of the best steak in the world. Buenos Aires blends romance with ambition.

• Marrakech, Morocco: A sensory feast of vibrant souks, intricate riads, and rich traditions. It’s a place that stays with you long after you leave.

Now that you’ve got the list, here’s the key: Don’t just visit these cities—immerse yourself. Purposeful travel is about experiencing places deeply, not superficially. Dine where locals dine. Spend time in neighborhoods that aren’t in the guidebooks. Ask questions. A conversation with the owner of a boutique shop in Lisbon or a sommelier in Cape Town will teach you more about a city than any tour ever could.

And what about the practicalities? For a life of refined travel, it’s all about balance. Choose boutique hotels over chain brands. They’re often more personal and just as luxurious without the price tag of five-star resorts. Forget hostels—look for short-term rental apartments in vibrant areas. Budgeting isn’t about cutting corners; it’s about spending wisely.

For example, allocate your funds like this:

• Lodging: Spend on unique accommodations that offer comfort and a story to tell.

• Food: Skip tourist traps and hunt down authentic spots—fine dining or street-level gems with serious culinary cred.

• Experiences: Invest in things that leave a lasting impression—private tours, cooking classes, or tickets to a classical concert in Vienna.

Travel with purpose doesn’t mean traveling cheaply; it means traveling wisely, with intention. This is how you experience the world in a way that inspires your ambitions rather than distracts from them. When you return, you’re not just refreshed—you’re sharper, more creative, and ready for the next chapter of your story.

Step 3 – Start Building a Borderless Lifestyle

Living a borderless life isn’t about chasing postcard moments or ticking destinations off a list. It’s about creating a sustainable way of being—one where Wealth, Relationships, and Health work in harmony to support a life without limits. Get these three essentials right, and the world won’t just feel open—it’ll feel like it’s yours to navigate.

Wealth

Let’s face it—without a steady flow of income, all this talk of borderless living is just a pipe dream. You’ve got two paths: entrepreneurship or remote work.

Entrepreneurship gives you control and the ability to mold your work around your life, not the other way around. Picture yourself setting up meetings with clients between Parisian lunches or brainstorming new business ideas during an afternoon stroll in Buenos Aires. You don’t answer to anyone except yourself—and that’s the kind of freedom money can’t buy.

If entrepreneurship isn’t your cup of tea, a remote job offers financial stability while still allowing you the flexibility to explore the world. While you’re not entirely your own boss, you can still enjoy the perks of working from a villa in Tuscany or a cozy café in Kyoto. Just make sure you’ve got a career that aligns with your aspirations for mobility and independence.

Relationships

A truly global life isn’t built in isolation; it’s built on connections that span cultures, industries, and continents.

Use LinkedIn and other platforms to connect with professionals in your industry, and join communities where global citizens congregate. When you arrive in a new city, say yes to every opportunity to meet people, whether it’s a casual dinner, a cultural festival, or a niche event.

But don’t just network for the sake of business. The most valuable connections come from a place of genuine curiosity. Ask about their stories, their traditions, and their ambitions. These aren’t just contacts—they’re guides who’ll help you navigate new cultures, mentors who’ll challenge your perspective, and friends who’ll turn your travels into something far richer.

Health

A borderless lifestyle is thrilling, but it can wreak havoc on your health if you’re not careful. Between jet lag, unfamiliar foods, and the temptation to let loose, it’s all too easy to let fitness and wellness fall by the wayside.

Your first task is to create a workout routine that travels with you. Bodyweight exercises, yoga, and resistance bands are your new best friends—they fit in your luggage and can be done in a hotel room, an Airbnb, or a park. Invest in a fitness app like Nike Training Club or explore local gyms wherever you land.

Next, don’t neglect your diet. Sampling new cuisines is one of the joys of travel, but balance is key. Make time for fresh, whole foods amidst the indulgences, and stay hydrated—especially after long flights.

Lastly, prioritize mental health. Traveling constantly can be disorienting, even lonely at times. Regular meditation or journaling can help ground you, and staying connected with loved ones—whether through weekly video calls or handwritten postcards—keeps your feet on the ground, no matter how far you roam.

Master these three pillars, and you won’t just survive a borderless life—you’ll thrive in it. Wealth gives you the freedom to move, relationships give you purpose, and health gives you the stamina to keep going.

Tools and Resources for Global Living

No one becomes a Citizen of the World without a few trusted tools in their arsenal. Think of these as your modern-day survival kit, the essential apps and platforms that help you navigate the chaos of borderless living. Because let’s face it, the world can be a glorious mess—but with the right resources, it’s a mess you can master.

Apps for Travel: The Jet-Setter’s Compass

When it comes to moving around the globe, efficiency is king. Skyscanner is your go-to for sniffing out flight deals, often finding routes so cheap it’ll make you wonder if the airlines made a mistake. Need to figure out how to get from a backstreet café in Hanoi to a rooftop bar in Paris? Enter Rome2Rio, the app that breaks down every possible route—planes, trains, buses, and ferries included. For a more curated experience, Culture Trip offers hand-picked guides that ensure you skip the tourist traps and dive straight into the soul of a city.

Learning Platforms: Expand Your Horizons

The world is your classroom, but even the best students need a syllabus. Start with Duolingo, where 10 minutes a day will have you ordering croissants in French or haggling in Spanish in no time. Explore Airbnb Experiences, where locals teach you everything from pasta-making in Rome to tea ceremonies in Kyoto.

Money Management: Keeping Your Wallet in Check

Currency exchange rates, splitting dinner bills, budgeting on the fly—money management can be a nightmare on the road. That’s where Wise comes in. It slashes bank fees and ensures your hard-earned cash stays in your pocket when moving between currencies.

With these tools at your fingertips, the world doesn’t feel so big. It feels manageable, maybe even small. The only thing left? Putting them to use and carving out your place in this beautifully chaotic planet.

Your Journey Starts Now

Becoming a Citizen of the World isn’t a pipe dream reserved for trust fund kids or seasoned diplomats. It’s a choice—a bold, deliberate decision to embrace life as an adventure, not a checklist. It’s about letting go of the notion that you belong to one patch of soil and realizing the world belongs to you. All of it.

But here’s the kicker: this isn’t about following some cookie-cutter plan. It’s about your journey. The one that starts right now, with the first step—booking that ticket, or simply deciding that the walls around you are just too small for the life you want to live.

It’s Not All Sunshine and Instagram Filters

Make no mistake, the road ahead won’t always be smooth. There will be missed flights, cultural blunders, and moments where you question if this whole “global citizen” thing is worth it. But those moments? They’re part of the deal. They’re the price of admission for a life less ordinary.

Remember, the goal isn’t to rack up passport stamps or boast about your adventures at dinner parties. The goal is to live a richer, deeper life—one where the lines on a map blur, and your worldview expands to match the vastness of the planet.

A Final Thought to Take With You

The world is spinning whether you’re ready or not. Your only job is to decide whether you’ll sit and watch it turn, or step into the chaos and claim your place in it. Being a Citizen of the World isn’t for the faint of heart, but then again, neither is anything worth doing.

So here’s your invitation. Take it. The ticket’s already in your hand—it’s called curiosity. The passport is your determination. The destination? That’s entirely up to you.

Your journey doesn’t start tomorrow. It doesn’t start “once things settle down.” It starts the moment you stop waiting for permission and realize that the only person who can give it to you is staring back in the mirror.

Your adventure is calling. Answer it.