By Kayla Bruch

Belgium man uses social media to travel world

Nov 7, 2014 | 5:45 AM

A worldwide trekker arrived in Prince Albert on Thursday after travelling for four and a half years. 

Bjorn Troch said he was working in social media as a business developer and a consultant, when he began his travels.

“I wanted to see the world but in a way that I could stay in touch with what I did as a job and also a way that I could see the world as it is,” he said. “Via people, so I thought social media is a good way to do that.”

Troch realized in 2009 we live in a world, which thrives on social media connections.

His goal was to use these connections to find his way around the world without using guide books or search engines, only social media.

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“I use it to reach out to people, to meet them in real life, and it’s possible,” he said.

Using Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus, Four Square and Instagram he has already travelled across Europe, Asia and Oceania.

Troch said he has made some great memories and has amazing stories to tell all because he was willing to use social networks in a positive way. He has rather fond memories about one country.

“I really liked India, I loved the people there, super friendly,” he said.

In India he was challenged to “drive an old motor bike around the south of India and that was a big adventure, it broke down I think five or six times and every single time … they came to help me,” he said.

Troch said he not only visits each country, he also asks the community to challenge him. The North American challenge will be his sixth so far.

“I had to find an old VW van and then I have to cross North America with it and along the way I have to learn to play the guitar,” he said. “Before this I never played an instrument, so that is quite a challenge.”

The van is from 1978, said Troch, and he has gone 12,000 kilometres with ‘Rose’ so far.

Troch said he is originally from Belgium, but he hasn’t settled anywhere since he started travelling.

“I follow a trajectory around the world, so it starts in Spain and it ends in Spain and in-between there is the world,” he said.

Troch said he has really enjoyed his time exploring the world. He said people are accepting and willing to help him find his way.

“People are really awesome, there’s a lot of support,” he said.

If you would like to suggest a challenge it must be social, part of his route and teach Troch something new.

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