Yuujou grew from a simple idea: a circle of friendship strong enough to carry a group of travelers around the world. Sisters and storytellers Corinne and Yvonne Eisenring partnered with Oliver Herren, a Swiss internet pioneer, to bring this vision to life. On April 11, six travelers will embark on a 100-day journey with that vision as their sole itinerary. The journey begins with all six in Berlin, Germany, then splits into two teams of three, one heading east and one heading west, meeting each other 100 days later in Tokyo, Japan. Along the way, teams must stay with a friend of their previous host, moving from friend to friend across the globe. There are no prizes, no ads, no scripts, just the expectation that each traveler will creatively document their experiences of human connection along the way.
After receiving over 30,000 applications, Yuujou has narrowed the pool down to ten finalists. Culturs brings you a look at Yvonne Eisenring’s surprise visit to each finalist in this 10-part series.
Finalist #5
Renatais a journalist from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She has pursued her passion of storytelling both personally and professionally around the world. “Traveling, meeting new people, adventures and sharing experiences are the things that make me happiest in this world,” she said. This first love has taken her to 12 countries, typically traveling alone on tight budgets and couch surfing from one friend to the next. In her free time, Renata enjoys skateboarding through the streets of Rio de Janeiro, playing sports, and spending time on the beach. She hopes to utilize all of these skills in connecting with individuals along the Yuujou journey and sharing their stories with others.
“Telling stories is my passion.”
Watch Eisenring surprise Renata in Rio de Janeiro:
You can read more about Yuujou and follow their journey here.
Ready to meet Finalist #6? Keep reading.
