Today we’d like to introduce you to Nishan S. Kassahun.
Hi Nishan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My name is Nishan. I am an Ethiopian Creative and Travel Filmmaker who loves to travel the world capturing moments, unique stories, and extraordinary experiences.
Immense curiosity comes second nature. I consider myself a student of life. I love to explore and immerse myself in environments where I can learn as much as possible. I am a firm believer that where you spend your time and what you surround yourself with is what you become.
I was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I came to the U.S at the age of 19 with a basketball scholarship to pursue my education. Somewhere in the process of getting my BS degree, I discovered my hobby of photography and traveling. After completing my bachelor’s, I was able to travel more and start my YouTube channel named By Nishan.
It’s a travel and lifestyle-based channel that explores & documents different parts of the world and its people. The aim is to take people along with my adventures and show places through my camera as well as share my story of being a young woman traveler from East Africa.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I would say for the most part the road was smooth because I prepared myself for the creative world. However, I do have a full-time job that supports my lifestyle and I realized this year that it is actually hard to be creative and productive.
My time management and productivity level is becoming a little questionable this year. I find it hard to be sociable, keep a healthy lifestyle, go to film school, and at the same time work full-time. The problem is not only trying to have a balanced life but actually maintaining it.
To add to that, I have also been having a hard time getting bogged down by endless brainstorming. I love ideas but I am also a perfectionist. The way I care about quality work is now becoming a problem because I spend so much time making something perfect which is hurting me from being consistent in the work I put out.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a passionate traveler that presents my journeys through creative photography and narrative short films. I studied business and human resources in college, which is coming in handy as I am going around the world and communicating with people all the time.
I also call myself imaginative. I enjoy coming up with stories, producing short documentary films, and just thinking about things in new ways. I am known for my authentic lifestyle and immense curiosity while traveling. I love sharing stories and documenting unique cultures wherever I go. I am most proud to become one of the few young women travelers from East Africa.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out.
If anyone asks me how I got here, I would ask them back with the question: What do you love to do most?
I started sharing photos of the things I loved to do. I have always been a girl that loves the adventure-centric life of hiking and exploring amazing destinations. I never expected posting photos on Instagram would free me from the corporate 9-5 world everyone signs up for as a college graduate.
My small growth on social media was always organic and steady, largely fueled by my authentic personality and photos. It led me to meet lots of great creatives. For the longest, I told myself how lucky I was to work remotely and be able to do what I love. But now that I think of it, I am always a go-getter! I made sure to go after every single opportunity that came my way.
I strongly believe that it separates me from other people that are just dreaming of the life I have. There was no “viral” moment for me on social media. It was consistently sharing my work, seeking opportunities, sharpening my craft, and networking that helped me get to where I am. Aside from that, I would say gaining support from friends and family was crucial. Even though the digital world can become challenging at times, it motivates me to go even beyond where I am now.
In the coming years, I plan to become a full-time digital nomad. I want to tell more stories/document different cultures in my home continent – Africa and bring it to the world’s attention. If you love to travel, have unique experiences, and learn from different cultures around the world, follow my journey on my social platforms.
Contact Info:
- Website: Bynishan.space
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Nish_35/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ByNishan
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/bynishan_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ByNishan
Image Credits
Esrael Elala
