Nikki Vargas at Harvard Book Store

Harvard Book Store welcomes NIKKI VARGAS—author, Founder of Unearth Women, and a Senior Editor for Fodor's Travel—for a discussion of her new memoir Call You When I Land. She will be joined in conversation by founder and CEO of Wanderful, BETH SANTOS.

About Call You When I Land

At twenty-six years old, life looked a certain way for Nikki Vargas. She’d settled in New York City ready to join the ranks of the Carrie Bradshaws of the world, had landed in a promising advertising career, and was newly engaged to her college sweetheart. As a child of two Colombian immigrants – the poster parents for making something out of nothing – Nikki was bred for the hustle. But between corporate happy hours and wedding dress fittings, she couldn’t shake a deep underlying sense of imposter syndrome, a voice telling her that she was playing the part in someone else’s dream life. So, she bought a plane ticket: first to Bogotá. And then to Panama. And then Iguazú.

What begins with a freelance travel writing assignment spins into a whirlwind, globe-spanning journey that would transform Nikki’s life. From the cascading waterfalls of Argentina to street food tours in Vietnam, Nikki uncovers shocking truths about her family, comes face to face with a new love interest – or two – and ultimately turns a no-name blog into the internationally celebrated venture of Unearth Women, the first ever female-centered, female-founded travel publication. But jetsetting away from your problems is rarely as romantic as it seems, and Nikki soon must come to terms with the sacrifices – financial, physical, personal – that such a lifestyle demands of her.

Told in transporting detail and candid reflection, Call You When I Land takes the familiar story of a woman going abroad to find herself and turns it on its head, as the act of traveling becomes, for Nikki, a career, a commitment, and a tool to champion women’s voices across the world.

Praise for Call You When I Land

“Colorful, vivid storytelling…for anyone looking for a road to reinvention." —Kristin Newman, author of What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding

“Witty and incisive, Vargas captures the universal quest to learn who we are, what we want, and how much baggage we can afford to carry. Call You When I Land reads like an over-due catch-up with your most audacious girlfriend.” —Alicia Menendez, MSNBC anchor & author of The Likeability Trap

“Like the planes she watches as a little girl, Vargas' story soars, a tender and thrilling voyage of self-discovery. Her far-flung adventures and moments of revelation will leave readers with full hearts (and possibly, packed suitcases).” —Nicole C. Kear, author of Now I See You: A Memoir

"In this unflinchingly raw tale of self-discovery, infused with the lushest wanderlust-inducing descriptions, Vargas transparently takes you along on her vulnerable, messy, and courageous journey towards self-love, living your true calling and the bravery it requires of you. This memoir is a true testament to showing up fully as yourself in this world." —Lola Akinmade Åkerström, author of In Every Mirror She's Black

"Inspiring for anyone who is questioning whether or not to stick with the status quo or take a leap of faith!" –Jessica Nabongo, author of The Catch Me If You Can

Mask Policy

Masks are encouraged but not required for this event.