Steve Yoss (LMU '07)
A Journey Around the World Changed His Life
In the spirit of Phileas Fogg, Captain Cook, and Robinson Crusoe, 2007 CBA graduate STEVE YOSS hungered for adventure. He knew what life held after graduation — a job and settling down, leaving little time for exploring the world. Having never lived outside of Southern California, Steve harbored dreams of distant and exotic travel, wanting to know what it was like to call another place “home.” Little did he know that between Dec. 30, 2007 to Dec. 10, 2008, he would travel on five continents, tour approximately 20 countries, and cover in excess of 75,000 miles by plane, sailboat, horseback, camel, hot air balloon, train, and battleship.
His journey began with tickets to Fiji and New Zealand. Savings sustained him for a few months but then ran out. Steve was fortunate enough to find employment as an accountant in a hospital in Wellington, New Zealand, which provided him enough funds to live, as well as to save for future travels.
“When I left in December of 2007, I knew I wanted to travel the world but I did not have any explicit plans,” he said. “I looked at the coming year like a painter would look at a blank canvas... I had an idea of what I wanted but my plans evolved as the year progressed.”
“I wanted to experience the best the world had to offer. I wanted to know what it felt like to stand in front of the pyramids in Egypt, travel across Russia by train, attend mass in the Vatican, ride an elephant up a mountain in Thailand, or sail across the Pacific in a US battleship. I made a list of places/activities that would be amazing to experience, and then I figured out how to make it work in my budget and timeline. I didn’t get to do everything, but I certainly tried.”
Staying almost exclusively in youth hostels and living on the cheap, Steve quickly found himself making friends who helped him pursue his dreams. Everywhere he went, Steve met people who were curious and supportive of his travels and were willing to lend a hand. For example, the US Navy offered Steve passage from Hawaii to San Diego aboard the USS Benfold which allowed him to continue his trip through North and Central America. A co-worker in New Zealand arranged and then sponsored his trip to China. In Egypt Steve fortuitously met a man who organized his travels throughout the country and introduced him to locals who served as friends and tour guides.
“Everywhere I went people were curious about me and wanted to help me along the way… sometimes a meal, a place to stay, or just a new friend,” he said. “Although there were plenty of opportunities for bad things to happen to me, I had nothing but great experiences. I approached everything with an open mind and heart and I did my best to embrace and appreciate where I was. I believe that world is a great place filled with good people.”
Some particular experiences Steve will most likely never forget include: Diving within inches of sea turtles at the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns, Australia; Watching Russia pass by in the comfort of the Trans-Siberian train; Drinking ale in the Hofbrau tent during Oktobefest in Munich, Germany; Climbing to the top of St. Peter’s Basilica; Climbing Volcán Pacaya in Antigua, Guatemala, and roasting marshmallows over molten lava; Playing rugby with the locals in Wellington, NZ; Climbing the Great Wall of China; Attending an opera at the Sydney Opera House; and Working on an elephant conservation project in Thailand.
Being away from family and friends was a hurdle, as the distance put significant emotional stress on everyone. But with the distance came appreciation and clarity from parental support.
"I have a profound appreciation for my home and family. My parents helped me financially and emotionally when things got a little too tough. They knew how important this experience was to me and they wouldn’t let me quit,” Steve said. “You truly value and appreciate your loved ones when you have to live without them.”
The occasional homesickness brought an understanding of different peoples and cultures. Not one to complain, Steve took the delays, infrastructure issues, language and custom barriers, and quirky bureaucratic rules of other countries around the world in stride.
“I truly appreciate other cultures and customs and learned to stop comparing where I was to home,” he said. “I learned to appreciate the people and places on their own which allowed me to detach from home and overcome homesickness. I gained a greater international mindset. I realize how my actions here at home affect other people around the world.
“I learned to appreciate each day as it came and stopped thinking about the next place or prior places. It was my mission to make each day the best it could be, as I might be somewhere else tomorrow,” Steve said.
While a student at LMU, Steve was actively involved in numerous organizations on campus, serving as the president of ASLMU, a member of ADG fraternity, involved with the Crimson Circle, played rugby, was an Entrepreneurship Fellow, a summer orientation leader, and many other activities. Steve credits a number of CBA professors as mentors who guided his education, challenged him, and pushed him in order to achieve the best he was capable of.
“I will always fondly remember my years at LMU as some of the best, happiest, fun, and most prosperous years of my life. These experiences, as well as many others not listed, helped to shape my life. I would not be the person I am today without LMU,” he said.
Now that he’s back, Steve is working hard to pursue his CPA license in Claremont, California, while working at his family’s accounting firm. He plans on starting graduate school next fall and is considering either doctoral studies or law school. From the outside, it may seem as though Steve is settling down but he still maintains an active wander-lust mentality and will go on an extended trip to South America later this year, most likely to Peru or Argentina.
“Philosophically my journey will never end as my life is permanently changed,” he said. “It is my goal to experience the entire world in my lifetime. It will be a lifelong process, but it is more about the journey along the way than the actual destinations.”
“Everyday last year I woke up and did exactly what I wanted to do with my life,” he said. “There were no interruptions, distractions or confusion. I can say with absolute certainty that I fulfilled a major life dream.”