For Bianca Cubriel, the greatest lesson travel has taught her is that no matter where we come from, people are all searching for the same thing: a sense of belonging.
As she traveled across 35 countries, immersing herself into the cultures of Europe, North Africa, South America, and Asia, the initial desire to see famous landmarks and experience new places quickly evolved into a desire to understand the people around her.
“I’ve learned through my travels across cultures and around the world that, at our core, we are all more alike than we are different,” Cubriel said. “We all want the same basic human necessities — clean water, safety, love, support, and the opportunity to build a better life. We also want to find our people, our sense of belonging, and our community.”
This realization eventually inspired one of her most meaningful projects back home in Laredo: the Travel Social Club.
Cubriel founded the club after recognizing a need within the Laredo community for a space to connect through curiosity, shared experiences, and our desire to explore the world. “I started the travel club because I wanted to find my people,” she said. “One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned through the experience is that sometimes, instead of waiting to find your people, you have to create the space where they can find each other.”
The club mission grew directly from lessons she learned in her travels. Wherever she was, Cubriel discovered that meaningful connections often begin when people step outside their comfort zone.
“Travel has taught me that connection is universal,” she said. “We must take the first step and say hello.”
This philosophy is what shapes every Travel Social Club event as the club works to create opportunities for people to share stories and try something new together. The goal is to recreate the spirit of travel without needing to leave Laredo.
“My goal is to recreate that moment when you choose to step outside your comfort zone and end up creating memories you didn’t expect,” Cubriel explained.
In many ways, travel also deepened the way she viewed Laredo, allowing her to appreciate and engage more fully with her own hometown community. Rather than viewing it as a place people leave, she sees it as a place rich with opportunities for connection.
“Your community, like any city abroad, is what you make of it,” she said.
Through the Travel Social Club, Cubriel is bringing home the most important insight she’s gained from her travels: curiosity creates connections, which builds communities, and sometimes the best way to explore the world is by starting with the people around you.
