Today we’re sharing the story of Valentina, whom we met at the recent NomadHer Jeju Haenyeo (women divers) Camp.

“Are you passionate about women’s empowerment? Valentina: “Absolutely! That’s the main reason I love NomadHer—and why I keep coming back.”

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A mother–daughter adventure in Jeju

Valentina is a 23-year-old from Colombia, currently living in Busan. She studied at a Korean university and recently completed a six-month hotel internship. She’s now exploring her next career move—and she’ll be the first to tell you that travel the part of her life that brings her the most joy and meaning. 

We invited Valentina to participate in this interview because her perspective was both unique and inspiring. She joined this year’s Jeju Haenyeo Camp alongside her mother. That’s rare: most international travelers attend solo or with friends because the camp includes physical activities like snorkeling/free diving (“muljil”). Valentina and her mom spent two days and one night in Jeju, taking part in the ocean experience and a cooking class together. Their story reminds us that NomadHer isn’t just for younger women—women in their 50s, 60s, and beyond can absolutely join and inspire one another. We love that. :)

Why Jeju? As someone based in Busan, Valentina wanted a place that offered a completely different atmosphere—and Jeju felt perfect for that. She loves the water and anything active, and he’s always ready for something new. Her mom is actually a bit afraid of the ocean, but they had gone diving together once before, which gave Valentina the confidence that they could do it again. Watching this mother–daughter duo step into a challenge with such courage and curiosity was inspiring.

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Why the Haenyeo experience felt special—especially for women travelers

The Jeju Haenyeo Camp goes beyond swimming in the sea. It’s a chance to learn the depth of haenyeo culture. Valentina told us, “I didn’t know much about Jeju or the haenyeo before, so this was incredibly meaningful.” She especially enjoyed conversations with younger haenyeo—and was delighted to find that some spoke not only English but even a bit of Spanish, her mother tongue.

When we asked about her most memorable moment, Valentina chose a group photo they took with the haenyeo team on Day 2: “It’s one of the best photos of my life—so meaningful that I’ll remember it for a long time.”

"What the 2-day program looks like"

Day 1

• Learn about haenyeo culture and history
  
  
• Ocean adaptation & muljil experience (guided, beginner-friendly)
  
  
• Evening visit to a traditional market
  
  
• Cooking together using ingredients harvested from the sea and foods from the market
  
  

Day 2

• Head into slightly deeper waters to review and apply what you learned
  
  
• Professional haenyeo tailor the experience by skill level, so even if you’re nervous around water, you can participate safely and comfortably
  
  

Valentina was very satisfied with the two-day flow. Day 1 felt short because she was still adjusting, but she loved that Day 2 gave her the chance to revisit, apply, and challenge herself. Even though she doesn’t usually love seafood, she enjoyed cooking with the haenyeo using fresh ingredients and learning about the culture around the table together.

“Haenyeo culture symbolizes women’s strength and self-reliance.”

Valentina reflected on haenyeo culture in a way that moved us: watching these women harvest food from the sea and support their families made her feel that haenyeo are incredibly strong. To her, their lives represent women’s empowerment in action—resilience, skill, and independence expressed through everyday work.

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Why she keeps choosing NomadHer

Valentina discovered NomadHer on Facebook, first attending She Can Travel Busan 2024, then joining our global women’s travel festivals and local meetups.

Why does she keep coming back?

“Because it’s a women-only community. It feels safe, and I meet people who genuinely inspire me.
We don’t compare or judge each other—and there are so many opportunities.”

At our Women’s Festival, she met women leaders and CEOs from different fields, which sparked deep self-reflection:

“I started to think—maybe I could be a leader or a CEO one day, too. I left with renewed courage and confidence.”

She also shared one wish: more casual gatherings—and not only in Seoul. She hopes to see more meetups in Busan and other cities where women can connect and talk freely.

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