Jo and Kush for Race Across The World S6 / BBC
Relationship: Childhood Besties
Ages: Both 19
From: Liverpool
Jobs: Jo, College Student and Kush, Gap-year Student
What made you want to take part?
Kush: “We were both at a sort of standstill in deciding what to do with our futures. So, when the opportunity came up, we thought it would be a fantastic experience and something we could look back on and learn from.”
Jo: “We had just finished sixth form, got our A-Levels and the opportunity to travel with the race before we go to university, made it even more exciting for us.”
Do you have a strategy?
Jo: “We have discussed little things. For example, if we want to get a member of the public’s attention, my role will be getting their attention first, and then Kush will be getting the information.”
Kush: “I think that being young, we will kind of hopefully be brushed over like we don’t have the experience, and then we can secretly work in silence and take over.”
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Jo: “I think our strength would be our ease to speak to strangers. We don’t have any issues with approaching people or asking people for advice, so I think that will definitely benefit us.”
Kush: “We’re also not very fussy. We’re not like chicken nuggets and chips kind of people, and so I think that we will be fine with daily hostels, not showering for a few days and eating local street food. So, I think one of our strengths is that we can do well in a lack of comfort. Weakness wise, I think that personally, I know I’m going to get very anxious and stressed out a lot, and I know that’s going to make things difficult for me, and probably Jo.”
Which home comforts will you struggle to live without?
Kush: “My mum, the internet, and accessible snacks.”
Jo: “My family and basketball. I play every single day so not having that to go to will be weird.”
Do you think the race could change anything about your relationship?
Kush: “I think it would be not to be so anxious about everything. By the end of it, I don’t want to stress whether everything is the right or wrong decision and be confident in myself.”
Jo: “We’re at the stage of our lives, where our brains haven’t fully developed yet. We’re almost there, but this will hopefully give us that final push to realise who we are as people and maybe even potential career paths.”
Race Across The World continues Thursdays at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
