Jeffrey Ballard is a 40-year-old surgical assistant from the USA who set off on a round-the-world trip in 2002.
The Snapshot
- Departure: 2002
- Age at departure: 40
- Nationality: USA
- Duration: 1-2 years
- Occupation: Surgical assistant
- Original budget: approximately USD 35,000 (about USD 64,200 in 2026 dollars)
- Regions: Asia, Southeast Asia
The Route
In Their Words
Here's what Jeffrey Ballard shared about their RTW journey:
Is this job one that you actually like, or are you only doing it to pay for the trip?
One more paycheck and I’m gone.
Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
I love to travel. I have always wanted to “drop out” and just go some place, or places. A couple of years back I went to South America and just bummed around. This time I want to use the experience to provide some fodder for a book. I don’t think I’m the next Bill Bryson, but maybe somebody will want to read it.
What is your biggest fear about this trip?
Not having enough money. And flying. I hate planes.
How do you think your round-the-world trip will change your life? How do you think it will affect and change you as a person?
I think that I’ll finally get to relax a bit. I work as a surgical assistant and hate my job. I’m looking to just go places, see things and be swept up in the moment wherever I’m at. I think that this will profoundly affect me and change me. I’m hoping it will make me be able to smile again. I’d like to smile again.
If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings about your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it be?
Why did I wait so long to do this?
Why do you think people should go on round-the-world trips? Why not just take a regular old one- or two-week vacation instead?
To truly get away from the “rat race” and to find something in themselves that is there but that they don’t know exists. To obtain a sense of peace.
2026 Context
- Budget inflation: This traveler's original budget of approximately USD 35,000 would equate to approximately USD 64,200 in 2026 purchasing power, reflecting roughly 84% inflation over the intervening years.