First black woman to have traveled to every country in the world lifts the lid on what she REALLY learned from her adventures

The first black woman to visit every country in the world has revealed some of the things she has learned from her extensive travels, with the importance of tipping and seeing good in others being among her takeaways. 

Jessica Nabongo, 40, from Detroit, set out on a quest to hit all 195 countries recognized by the United Nations in 2017, and she finished the challenge two and a half years later, with her final spot being the Seychelles. 

Visiting Peru for a second time with adventure tour operator G Adventures as part of a global community tourism summit, the globetrotter said that the biggest lesson she has learned is that 'most people are good.'

Touching on the topic of human kindness, the Ugandan-American said: 'There is this assumption that a stranger can be dangerous instead of thinking of a stranger as a friend you've not met yet.

'The sad thing is that we've started fearing others - we always have our senses up. I am not that way. I've never used a hotel safe, for instance. Traveling to every country has confirmed most people are good.'

Jessica Nabongo, 40, from Detroit, set out on a quest to hit all 195 countries recognized by the United Nations in 2017, and she finished the challenge two and a half years later

During her journey, Jessica went to 89 countries on her own, including Iraq, Sudan and Iran. Above, pictured in Antarctica 

During her journey, Jessica went to 89 countries on her own, including Iraq, Sudan and Iran. 

While she said many people advised her not to travel to these spots solo, she went anyway and ended up having some of 'the most amazing experiences.'

For instance, when she was in Iraq she was feeling 'exhausted' at one point and asked the driver she had hired to take her back to her hotel. 

However, she was surprised when he invited her to his house for a lunch prepared by his wife. 

'We sat on the floor and ate... it was such an amazing experience. That would never happen in New York,' Jessica mused.

Another encounter which taught her about recognizing the good in people occurred in Lagos. 

The explorer said: 'In Lagos, somehow I got in the the car and dropped my cellphone.

'I opened the Find My iPhone feature on my laptop and chased my phone - losing your phone while traveling internationally is the worst! 

In terms of her tips for smart travel, Jessica has a collection up her sleeve. Pictured, enjoying sailing the azure waters around Haiti

The globetrotter has amassed a loyal following on social media and she has more than 253,000 followers on Instagram. Pictured at the Horseshoe Canyon in Utah

'At first the phone was turned off, but two hours later I checked again and it was on and this guy answered. We then arranged to meet the guy. 

'When we met him, it was clear he hadn't eaten or showered and he said he found the phone in a car park on the way to church. 

'It was a reminder not to assume the worst. He could have sold the phone and made money. As thanks, I gave him food and some money.' 

The second biggest lesson Jessica said she has learned is that 'we are more similar than we are different.'

She explained: 'We are living in weird times now, with major wars and political fractures but we are all just humans.

'All we want is food, clothing, shelter, love. We're getting so far away from that.

'We are all humans and we need to get back to human kindness.'

In terms of her tips for smart travel Jessica - who started traveling internationally from the age of four - has a collection up her sleeve. 

Jessica started traveling internationally from the age of four

Firstly, she recommends traveling to places 'more off the beaten path' and to countries 'where your tourism will have a lot more impact.'

She also encourages 'seeking authentic experiences' over mass marketed tourist traps.

When she travels, the content creator will ask locals at her hotel where they eat or for some of their recommendations around activities. 

'Embracing empathy' is another thing Jessica advocates and one of the things she 'can't stand' is travelers photographing locals without their permission. 

On that note, she says: 'Just imagine a complete stranger coming to your country and taking a photo of you and your child.

'Don't do it to other people. It's just weird... pulling out a camera and taking a photo of a woman breastfeeding in a market and so on.' 

Lastly, Jessica highlights the importance of tipping overseas - even if it is just a small amount. 

The self-described 'hyper tipper' concludes: 'Just think about it, $5 can mean so much to someone in another country.

'For instance, I was in Venezuela in 2019 and I had a handler. At the end of the trip, I tipped him $5 and after we were talking, I discovered that this was actually the equivalent of a monthly paycheck. 

'When I left, I gave him another $20 and we were both at the airport crying. That $25 could have changed his life.'

Despite completing her global challenge, Jessica has not slowed down on the travel front and just this year she has taken more than 24 flights, finished visiting all 50 U.S. states and reached her final continent in the form of a cruise to Antarctica. 

The next G Adventures Community Tourism Summit will take place in India this September with more guest speakers following in Jessica's footsteps.