Some of the most unforgettable memories of travel are centered around the people they meet. It could be a fellow traveller they bump into or a polite local who shares stories and suggestions over a warm cup of coffee. This surprise is often magnified when it comes to international travel because not only are we strangers in an alien land, but there are very real cultural differences at play, including linguistic barriers.

While travel can be extremely joyous, it comes with uncertainty. No matter which country or continent we may be in, many of us have had to seek or rely on assistance from those around us. You might even recall an instance when a stranger might have helped you while reading this. On World Kindness Day, we asked female travellers to share their stories of experiencing kindness and compassion during their international journeys. In a increasingly divided world, it is encouraging to learn of acts of generosity and reinforces that kindness knows no borders.