A custom deck of playing cards inspired by Nigerian culture flickered before us. Each face card depicted someone in vibrant Nigerian attire, the warm oranges and reds mirroring the tropical vibrancy of the wildlife outside the window.
As the hot Kenyan sun cast a golden hue inside the dimly lit room, the projector hummed softly at the front. Images danced on the white wall as all of us sat, focused on the speaker.
When Adim’s presentation finished, Ola stepped forward. Ola is a UX/UI designer who walked us through her process for designing human-centered applications and websites. I furiously typed the names of the tools she used, knowing they would be invaluable in my own work.
Finally, the last of us began his presentation, eagerly explaining the fascinating history of Sumo wrestling and its cultural significance in Japan. Though I had never given Sumo much thought, his description of the discipline, hierarchy, and symbolism inherent in the sport captivated me.
I returned home from that trip not only with a deck of Nigerian-themed playing cards and lasting friendships, but also with my Notes app brimming with ideas, inspiration, and tools for my professional life.
This experience is not unique.
Stories from Our Community
Our community is full of inspiring stories that reflect Hacker Paradise’s core values:
- Creativity
- Passion
- Empowerment
- Co-creation
For example, Tami, Donna and Irene met on a Hacker Paradise trip to Phuket, forming a powerful connection and friendship. As they continued to travel the world together, as well as with us in Boracay, they decided to jointly start the Tell Me What To Do podcast where they discuss all things human. Through it all, their friendship has continued to deepen and the project they created together continues to grow. Their journey is a testament to the creative bonds formed within our community. Be sure to catch them on Spotify and Instagram!
Last year, Eva and Ryan met on a Hacker Paradise trip to Koh Phangan. Realizing they work well together and have complementary skill sets, they joined forces on their RFP platform, One Click RFP. This platform helps businesses find RFPs that match their specific needs, cutting through all the noise and eliminating the grind of sifting through RFPs that are not a great fit.
Matt, a passionate pianist, spent weeks in Valencia searching for the perfect piano to practice and perform on. When he found one, he invited the HP crew to watch his performance. Dressed in his finest pianist attire, he played a sentimental piece, inspiring us all with his art. And if you don’t believe how beautiful his music really is, you can watch his private performance for our community here.
In Nicaragua, the Hacker Paradise Community decided to learn how to surf. While most everyone in the group had never surfed before, they encouraged each other throughout the experience, empowering one another to brave the waves, overcome fears, and learn a new skill.
Living Our Values
The fact of the matter is, trips with Hacker Paradise are not just about travel; they are about becoming part of a community that shares common values.
At Hacker Paradise, you’ll find people passionate about their work and hobbies, eager to share their skills, stories, and creativity. They empower each other to try new tools, experiment with ideas, and spearhead new projects or businesses together.
Hacker Paradise believes in living by our values and building a community that shares them. When you align your actions with your core beliefs, you create a life that feels authentic and meaningful. That’s what we are all about.