She Can Found Anywhere: Finding Connection in Busan with NomadHer
By Melanie Baumgarten · October 2026 · Part one
When I first learned about NomadHer’s She Can Found Anywhere program in Busan, I knew I wanted to apply. I was drawn to the chance to spend time with women who were building businesses, exploring ideas, and willing to travel somewhere new to connect with one another. The energy that Hyo and her team brought to the invitation made this feel like an experience worth making the trip for.
I applied without knowing whether I would be selected. When the welcome email arrived, I quickly began making plans—from a previous engagement in Los Angeles, back to Seattle, and then on to Korea. What started as an application became a real journey, and an opportunity to step into a new community.
A familiar country, a new adventure
I have traveled to Korea many times, but this is my first visit to Busan. My previous trips had kept me in Seoul, so taking the KTX south felt like opening another chapter in a country I already knew in a different way.
As I departed Seoul, I felt a sense of adventure. I felt empowered, free, and excited to try something new. NomadHer helped give me the courage to make that solo trip, knowing that a welcoming group would be waiting at the other end.
Their support began before we arrived. Hyo and her team made me feel welcome throughout the planning process, helped attendees communicate ahead of the event, and provided a guide to visiting Busan. Those details mattered. I was traveling on my own, but I was already beginning to feel connected.
Women, ideas, and BOUNCE × FLY ASIA
NomadHer’s She Can Found Anywhere initiative brings women together in Busan around entrepreneurship, leadership, and connection. Its connection to BOUNCE × FLY ASIA adds the opportunity to take part in a wider startup and innovation setting, alongside the smaller community being formed through the program.
For me, the appeal is both the event and the women taking part. I came hoping to hear what others are building, learn about their journeys, and exchange ideas with people whose experiences are different from my own. Even before arriving, I could see the possibility of friendships, business inspiration, and support growing from this trip.
An invitation like this creates room to introduce yourself and your work. It also creates room to listen. I want to understand what brought each woman here, what she cares about, and what she hopes to do next.
What this means for Global Women in Service
As I develop Global Women in Service, I keep returning to the value of a personal introduction. A story helps us understand someone’s work. A conversation helps us discover shared interests. From there, we can explore whether there is a meaningful way to support one another or contribute together.
That is part of what I want the Global Women’s Collective to offer: a place to discover women around the world who are building businesses and giving back to their communities. Through profiles and articles, I want to highlight the person behind the work, what she is creating, and how she contributes.
This trip is helping me think about how that community could grow. A directory can make someone easier to find, but the story gives us a reason to reach out. My hope is that those introductions lead to ongoing relationships, shared learning, and opportunities for service.
The beginning of a story
I am still in the middle of this experience, with more of Busan and the program ahead of me. I want to share the journey in parts, allowing space for the people I meet and the ideas that develop along the way.
For now, I am grateful that I applied—and that NomadHer welcomed me. Thank you to Hyo and the NomadHer team for creating an invitation that brought me to Busan, and for making the journey feel possible from the start.
Sometimes the first step toward a new community is simply saying yes to an invitation.
About the program: NomadHer travel programs · NomadHer’s BOUNCE × FLY ASIA announcements