PANEL DISCUSSION – Women in Travel: An Intergenerational Discussion
Join panel host Per Besson together with three generations of accomplished female travelers; Elizabeth Makei (Belarus), Aida Karamesic (Bosnia-Herzegovina) and Jane Eagleson (New Zealand) ranging in ages from 20+ to 70+ to discuss the unique joys and challenges of travel for women in the different phases of their traveling life. After a general introduction to their travel lives so far, we will dive into such questions as the basic existential one of “Why do you travel?” and continue through such topics as: What does risk/adventure mean to you at your age? What destinations have you felt most comfortable/uncomfortable traveling in and why? What do think about solo versus group travel? Is it really easier to travel as a woman today than in generations past? What examples of unexpected/underrated advantages have you had as a woman traveler?
BIO
Aida’s journey from Sarajevo to the world is a story of resilience, ambition, and a deep passion for discovery. Born and raised in Sarajevo, she experienced the hardships of the siege firsthand, which fueled her dreams of exploring the world beyond the underground confines. At 17, she found herself in the United States as a refugee, alongside her older brother, embarking on a new chapter of her life.
Aida pursued her academic and professional goals with determination, earning an aerospace engineering degree from Georgia Tech. Her career began with designing airplane engines at NASA, followed by work on the F-35 at Pratt & Whitney. Despite her accomplishments, she felt a pull to explore new horizons and ultimately pivoted to tax law, opening her own firm.
For the past 18 years, Aida has balanced her professional life with her passion for travel, dedicating three months each year to work and the remaining nine to adventure. Her relentless curiosity has taken her to 170 countries, swimming in every ocean, and having nearly 2000 dives around the world. Aida loves diving and finds joy in discovering cultures not just on the surface but also in the underwater world. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the unquenchable thirst for learning and exploration, whether on land or beneath the sea surface.