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[Video Interview] Cassie DePecol, Fastest (AND 1st!) Woman to Visit Every Country

Cassie DePecol: 1st & Fastest Woman to Visit All Countries on Earth

Cupie (Wilmyree) Pagel

Get to know the people behind Phezulu Pre-Vet! Check out this GoAbroad Staff Interview with Cupie (Wilmyree) Pagel.

Cupie (Wilmyree) Pagel | Phezulu Pre-Vet Staff Interview

Phezulu Pre-Vet Staff Interview with Cupie (Wilmyree) Pagel

<h4>What inspired you to work for <a title="undefined" href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/doctors-in-italy-medical-shadowing-program rel="" target="_self" class="clickTracker" rev="domainID=0&amp;refererType=1&amp;refererID=3357&amp;abbreviation=CSCT&amp;clientID=49026" data-ga-client="Doctors in Italy Fellowship Program" data-contentlink=""><ins>Doctors in Italy Fellowship Program</ins></a>?</h4>
<p>Being able to help young people fulfill their dreams and pursue their projects is incredibly rewarding.</p>
<p>Guiding them along the way, offering support and advice, and seeing them grow personally and professionally, while also connecting with people from all over the world, makes this experience truly meaningful and inspiring.</p>
<h4>Describe a typical day at work.</h4>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1764052274/images2/interviews/ZtGtKyvddEuPMEKzr4qjnQLAsnvtccAmTHMrCChN.jpg" alt="Group of adults dining and posing by an ornate gold-framed mirror"><div class="caption"><p>My Brazilian students from Summer 2024 — I’m in the center doing a peace sign; we had just finished a group dinner!</p></div></div>
<p>Our days vary depending on the season, but a typical day when students arrive in Italy starts with welcoming them at the airport and guiding them to their housing. We explain their schedule, accompany them to hospitals, ensure a smooth shadowing experience, and organize activities like group dinners, cooking classes, or excursions to make their stay enjoyable and memorable.</p>
<h4>What is your favorite part of your job?</h4>
<p>I love seeing students explore specialties they’re passionate about or discover ones they never considered. Hearing their stories about how hospital shadowing broadens their perspectives and shapes both their professional and personal view of healthcare is truly inspiring.</p>
<p>For example, I had a student from Brazil who dreamed of seeing an open-heart surgery. We managed to accommodate her, and when I saw her leaving the OR, eyes filled with happy tears and a bright smile, I felt so grateful and happy. She is now starting her first cardiology rotation back home, and I’m so proud of her.</p>
<p>That’s just one of the many amazing stories we get to witness and be part of.</p>
<h4>How do you use your education and international background in your current role?</h4>
<p>Having worked as a teacher, I bring that experience to my role, guiding and supporting students as they navigate their shadowing experience.</p>
<p>My background in biology fuels a deep love for science and a curiosity about health research. I enjoy exploring, discussing, and sharing this with students to inspire their learning and broaden their understanding of healthcare.</p>
<div class="awesome-image right-aligned wrap-mobile" ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1764052275/images2/interviews/lYAiGhP2AJBYGcWgBweuQvaRGN6mSCweJygErbpU.png" alt="group of young women smiling for a selfie by the street"><div class="caption"><p>An amazing group of female healthcare students from the USA and India, getting ready to start a new shadowing day at the hospital.</p></div></div>
<h4>What challenges do you often face, and how do you overcome them?</h4>
<p>One of the biggest challenges is adapting to the unexpected. Hospitals can be unpredictable, and situations often change at a moment’s notice.</p>
<p>We need to be flexible and ready to adjust schedules and activities quickly, ensuring that students still have a meaningful and safe experience while respecting hospital protocols and patient boundaries.</p>
<h4>What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?</h4>
<p>Don’t worry too much—travel is full of surprises, and it’s exactly that unpredictability that makes it such a life-changing experience.</p>
<p>Along the way, you’ll make friends, so don’t be shy. Ask questions, take advantage of every opportunity, and remember to pause and truly enjoy each moment, because before you know it, you’ll be back home.</p>
<h4>What makes Doctors in Italy Fellowship Program special?</h4>
<p>One of the most rewarding aspects of the program is that students get to experience the Italian healthcare system, a unique public system that prioritizes people.</p>
<p>They also observe cultural differences in the relationship between patients and healthcare workers, helping them become more adaptable, compassionate, and professional. Beyond the hospital, students can explore Italy’s rich culture, cuisine, and art, while connecting with healthcare students from around the world and exchanging experiences.</p>
<p>Another great advantage is that program coordinators handle the practical aspects of the program, allowing students to focus on both their hospital shadowing and cultural immersion fully.</p>
<h4>Why should someone choose Doctors in Italy Fellowship Program over competitors?</h4>
<p>I believe that all of us put our hearts into our work. We truly believe this experience can help future healthcare professionals grow and broaden their perspectives.</p>
<p>We always go the extra mile to ensure that our students will cherish their time with us. For us, it’s also very important to create a global healthcare network of professionals who believe in healthcare without borders, open to all, and grounded in fairness and collaboration.</p>
<h4>What hopes do you have for the future for Doctors in Italy Fellowship Program?</h4>
<p>We continuously strive to grow and build new partnerships with hospitals in Italy and across Europe, aiming to provide our students with richer, more diverse experiences. Expanding these connections ensures that each student has access to a wider variety of specialties, perspectives, and opportunities during their program.</p>
<h4>Are there any developments with Doctors in Italy Fellowship Program that you would like to share with us?</h4>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1764052276/images2/interviews/LEXViIlfV7PuXeSy8WSkeIDEz4TZZwmOiXTimZIm.png" alt="Smiling young women pose for a photo at a high window"><div class="caption"><p>This was the first group I managed as a Program Coordinator in Summer 2023! This is when we were doing one of our cultural activities – a city tour around Bologna.</p></div></div>
<p>We are excited to announce the launch of our Italian classes for healthcare students. These courses are designed to help students learn Italian from a healthcare perspective, enriching their professional skills while also enhancing their overall experience in Italy.</p>
<p>By combining language learning with a practical medical context, students can navigate hospitals, interact more confidently with staff and patients, and fully immerse themselves in both the culture and the healthcare environment.</p>
<h4>What is Doctors in Italy Fellowship Program’s mission, and how do you continue to work toward it?</h4>
<p>Our main goal is to build a global network of healthcare professionals who are adaptable, capable of working across borders, and committed to a vision of health that goes beyond mere numbers.</p>
<p>We aim to connect like-minded individuals who value compassion, collaboration, and innovation, fostering a community that can make a meaningful impact on healthcare worldwide.</p>
<h4>What do you hope participants take away from your programs?</h4>
<p>I hope fellows take away a deeper understanding of healthcare in an international context, gaining real clinical exposure while observing Italian hospitals and specialists. Beyond medicine, I want them to develop cultural awareness, adaptability, and a broader perspective on patient care, teamwork, and professionalism.</p>
<p>I also hope they build lasting connections with peers from around the world, feel inspired by new experiences, and return home with both professional insights and personal growth that will shape their future careers and approach to healthcare.</p>
<h4>How do you help support participants?</h4>
<p>Program Coordinators serve as the main point of reference for students, handling all practical aspects of the experience so students can fully focus on learning and enjoying their time.</p>
<p>From housing and transportation to navigating hospitals, coordinators ensure everything runs smoothly, allowing students to immerse themselves in shadowing, cultural activities, and exploring Italy without worries.</p>
<h4>If you could participate on one of your organization's programs, where would you go and what would you do?</h4>
<div class="awesome-image left-aligned wrap-mobile" ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1764052276/images2/interviews/PdodDR4H9NurDOz02AEIoqNMgzZrQqXsklHpwiTU.jpg" alt="A group of adults poses for a photo on an escalator"><div class="caption"><p>Me, up front, guiding the group through the metro in Milan, with my Winter 2024 students.</p></div></div>
<p>As a biologist, I would love to participate in the Animal Care program in Rome or Florence. I love animals, and I’m sure I would truly enjoy the program—working with rescue animals who have a second chance and learning how to care for them would be a dream.</p>
<p>Regarding the Human Health program, I would love to join our Trieste placement, since it’s a pediatric hospital. I find it fascinating how resilient little kids are, and I love working with them because they are so curious and creative.</p>
<h4>Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?</h4>
<p>Traveling abroad and experiencing new cultures is essential because it broadens perspectives, fosters empathy, and develops adaptability—qualities that are crucial in healthcare.</p>
<p>By seeing how medicine is practiced in different contexts, interacting with diverse patients and professionals, and immersing themselves in local traditions, students gain both professional insights and personal growth that will enrich their careers and their understanding of the world.</p>
<h4>What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?</h4>
<p>My advice for anyone thinking about going abroad is to embrace the experience fully and stay open to new challenges. Travel is unpredictable, and the best moments often come from the unexpected.</p>
<p>Ask questions, meet new people, immerse yourself in the culture, and take every opportunity to learn—both professionally and personally. Don’t worry about small details; focus on growth, curiosity, and enjoying the journey, because these experiences can be truly life-changing.</p>
<h4>What does meaningful travel mean to you?</h4>
<p>Meaningful travel, to me, is more than visiting new places—it’s about learning, growing, and connecting. It means immersing yourself in a different culture, understanding how people live and work, and gaining new perspectives.</p>
<p>For healthcare students, it’s about seeing medicine in another context, building empathy, and developing both personally and professionally. Meaningful travel leaves a lasting impact, shaping how you view the world and your place in it.</p>


Alessandra Vargas Rossi

Get to know the people behind Doctors in Italy Fellowship Program! Check out this GoAbroad Staff Interview with Alessandra Vargas Rossi.

Alessandra Vargas Rossi | Doctors in Italy Fellowship Program

Doctors in Italy Fellowship Program Staff Interview with Alessandra Vargas Rossi

<h4>What inspired you to work for <a title="undefined" href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/sharklife rel="" target="_self" class="clickTracker" rev="domainID=0&amp;refererType=1&amp;refererID=3359&amp;abbreviation=CSCT&amp;clientID=62659" data-ga-client="Sharklife" data-contentlink=""><ins>Sharklife</ins></a>?</h4>
<p>I was inspired to work for Sharklife after seeing how misunderstood and undervalued marine animals are.</p>
<p>Many people admire the ocean’s beauty yet remain unaware of the suffering caused by harmful human activities. I wanted to build an organization that reconnects people with the ocean through education, ethical encounters, and compassion-driven conservation.</p>
<h4>Describe a typical day at work.</h4>
<p>A typical day at Sharklife blends fieldwork, research, and education.</p>
<p>Mornings often start on the water, deploying cameras or monitoring marine life in the iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area. Afternoons are spent mentoring students, analyzing data, or developing conservation materials that inspire awareness and change.</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1764054037/images2/interviews/1QLmwWPzF30EKpU86CSUHTD65aO6FcuQR8rwdOX2.jpg" alt="A diver taking a selfie with a shark underwater."><div class="caption"><p>Grant conducting field observations with a ragged-tooth shark in Sodwana Bay, demonstrating Sharklife’s approach to respectful, non-invasive interactions that promote understanding and conservation of South Africa’s marine predators.</p></div></div>
<h4>Why do you do what you do?</h4>
<p>I do this work because I believe meaningful ocean conservation begins with empathy, not just policy. Marine animals suffer quietly from human activities, yet few people recognize their sentience.</p>
<p>Through Sharklife, I aim to shift perceptions—helping others see these animals as living beings worthy of compassion and protection.</p>
<h4>What is your favorite part of your job?</h4>
<p>My favorite part of my job is seeing people experience genuine connection with the ocean. When a student observes a shark peacefully or recognizes the intelligence of a ray, something shifts—the fear fades, and respect grows.</p>
<p>Those moments of awareness remind me why education and empathy are the most powerful tools for conservation.</p>
<h4>How do you use your education and international background in your current role?</h4>
<p>My education and international experience have shaped how I bridge science, communication, and cultural understanding in marine conservation. Working with researchers and students from around the world helps me translate complex research into accessible, practical training while promoting collaboration that benefits both people and the ocean.</p>
<h4>What challenges do you often face and how do you overcome them?</h4>
<p>One of the biggest challenges is balancing conservation ideals with the realities of operating in a regulated marine environment. Funding limits, permit restrictions, and public misunderstanding often slow progress.</p>
<p>I overcome these by focusing on collaboration, clear communication, and creating practical, lawful ways for people to engage meaningfully in ocean conservation.</p>
<h4>What are some current projects you are working on?</h4>
<p>Long-Term Key Species and Biodiversity Monitoring Using Stereo-BRUVs in the iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area (2025–2029): Using stereo-BRUV cameras to monitor sharks, rays, and other large marine species across time to track biodiversity trends.</p>
<p>Long-Term Rocky Shore Biodiversity Monitoring in the iSimangaliso MPA (2024–2029): Surveying intertidal and rocky-shore zones to understand ecosystem health and change in a dynamic habitat.</p>
<p>Understanding In-shore Habitat Use and Spatial Risk Factors for Endangered Elasmobranch Species in the iSimangaliso MPA (2025–2028): Investigating how endangered sharks and rays use shallow habitats and identifying human-related risk factors in those areas.</p>
<p>Long-Term In-Water Sea Turtle Monitoring in the iSimangaliso MPA (2024–2029): Studying sea turtles beyond just nesting beaches—focusing on their in-water activity, behaviour, and habitat use over the long term."</p>
<h4>What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?</h4>
<p>I’d tell my pre-travel self to stay open-minded and patient. Working in marine conservation abroad isn’t just about the science—it’s about adapting to new environments, cultures, and challenges.</p>
<p>Every obstacle becomes part of your education. Embrace the unpredictability; that’s where the real growth happens.</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1764054038/images2/interviews/cVNm3uCvNgBnyoiUs5t8Y6AK0N9zTzcu0uDLtdON.jpg" alt="Man leading a safety briefing with students before sailing."><div class="caption"><p>Grant leading a hands-on safety briefing with Sharklife students, explaining key vessel checks and safe operating procedures before heading out to sea.</p></div></div>
<h4>What makes your Sharklife special?</h4>
<p>What makes Sharklife special is its balance of science, ethics, and education. We’re not just collecting data—we’re changing how people think about the ocean. Our programs allow students and visitors to experience marine life respectfully, without exploitation or disturbance.</p>
<p>Every activity, from training to research support, is grounded in conservation integrity and compliance with protected-area laws. By combining hands-on learning with empathy-driven communication, Sharklife bridges the gap between scientific research and public understanding, creating real, lasting change for marine wildlife.</p>
<h4>Why should someone choose Sharklife over competitors?</h4>
<p>Someone should choose Sharklife because we offer more than a marine experience—we offer perspective. Our programs are built on scientific credibility, ethical practice, and meaningful engagement, not tourism packaged as conservation.</p>
<p>Participants work alongside professionals in a real conservation setting, gaining practical skills while contributing to a purpose larger than themselves. We prioritize safety, integrity, and genuine education within a legally compliant framework. In short, Sharklife isn’t about selling ocean adventures; it’s about shaping future conservationists who understand and respect the marine world.</p>
<h4>What hopes do you have for the future for Sharklife?</h4>
<p>I hope Sharklife continues to grow as a platform that reshapes how society values marine life.</p>
<p>Our aim is to expand education and research partnerships that inspire empathy and drive informed action for ocean conservation. I’d like to see Sharklife become a model for how ethical, science-based programs can operate sustainably within protected areas while empowering the next generation of ocean stewards.</p>
<p>Ultimately, I hope our work helps shift global attitudes from dominance over the ocean to coexistence with it.</p>
<h4>Are there any developments with Sharklife that you would like to share with us?</h4>
<p>Yes, Sharklife is entering an exciting new phase of growth. We’ve recently formalized a marine research network within the iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area to strengthen collaboration between scientists, students, and conservation partners.</p>
<p>Alongside this, we’re launching new field-based training programs that teach ethical marine monitoring techniques and support local capacity building. These developments align with our long-term vision: to create a hub where education, research, and community engagement work together to protect South Africa’s marine ecosystems.</p>
<h4>What makes Sharklife easy to market to potential participants?</h4>
<p>Sharklife is uniquely easy to market because it’s based in one of the most spectacular marine settings on Earth—the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on South Africa’s northeast coast.</p>
<p>Here, students can experience pristine reefs, sharks, turtles, and dolphins while being just a short drive from Big Five game reserves and vibrant Zulu cultural experiences. It’s the ultimate African adventure where world-class marine conservation, iconic wildlife, and cultural immersion all meet in one place.</p>
<p>For anyone seeking purpose and discovery in Africa, it’s a clear choice.</p>
<h4>What is Sharklife's mission, and how do you continue to work toward it?</h4>
<p>Sharklife’s mission is to foster empathy and respect for marine life through education, research, and ethical engagement. We work toward this by running hands-on training programs that build real conservation skills, supporting collaborative research within the iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area, and creating public outreach that challenges harmful norms like trophy fishing.</p>
<p>Every project—whether it’s a student workshop, field deployment, or awareness campaign—contributes to one goal: reconnecting people with the ocean and inspiring long-term protection of its wildlife.</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1764054076/images2/interviews/SfHcXvTdZQE2Q9YI93lM20GEbmnTZwHggB6FT3t8.jpg" alt="a guided reef ecosystem field session and shark observation."><div class="caption"><p>Grant (right) guiding students during a field session on reef ecosystems, observing a reef shark in its natural habitat as part of Sharklife’s ethical marine research and education program in the iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area.</p></div></div>
<h4>What do you hope participants take away from your programs?</h4>
<p>I hope participants leave with a deeper understanding of the ocean as a living, feeling system—not just a place for recreation or study.</p>
<p>Beyond skills in marine monitoring or fieldwork, I want them to gain empathy and perspective. If they return home seeing a shark, turtle, or ray not as an object but as a sentient being deserving of respect, then we’ve succeeded.</p>
<p>Ultimately, the goal is for each participant to carry that awareness into their careers and communities, becoming advocates for more compassionate, science-informed ocean conservation.</p>
<h4>How do you help support participants?</h4>
<p>We support participants through a structured, mentorship-based approach. From the moment they arrive, they’re guided by experienced marine professionals who provide training, safety oversight, and academic support. Our team helps them build confidence in the field while ensuring every activity aligns with ethical and conservation standards.</p>
<p>Outside the water, we foster a supportive community at the field station—sharing knowledge, daily briefings, and collaborative learning. Whether assisting with research methods, adapting to local culture, or pursuing academic goals, participants are never left to navigate their journey alone.</p>
<h4>Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?</h4>
<p>Traveling abroad opens perspectives that no classroom or screen can provide. Experiencing new cultures teaches adaptability, empathy, and humility—qualities essential for both conservation and life.</p>
<p>When you immerse yourself in another way of living, you begin to see how interconnected we truly are, and that understanding fuels more respectful, globally minded action. In marine conservation, especially, cross-cultural collaboration is vital—protecting oceans requires shared knowledge and mutual respect between people from every background.</p>
<h4>What does meaningful travel mean to you?</h4>
<p>Meaningful travel, to me, is travel with purpose—where personal growth and positive impact go hand in hand. It’s not about ticking off destinations but about forming genuine connections with people, places, and ecosystems.</p>
<p>In my work, it means leaving a destination better than you found it: contributing to conservation, respecting local cultures, and learning from the environment rather than simply consuming it. True meaning in travel comes when your experiences help both you and the world around you grow.</p>
<h4>What issues do you see in the world of international education that don’t line up with your values and expectations for mutually beneficial &amp; educational relationships between providers/programs and the communities in which they are located within?</h4>
<p>One major issue in international education is the surge of for-profit companies crowding out genuine non-profits. Many use appealing buzzwords like “conservation,” “sustainability,” and “community upliftment” to attract participants, yet operate primarily for profit, often with minimal long-term benefit to local ecosystems or people. This undermines the credibility of true conservation and exploits both communities and well-intentioned students.</p>
<p>For this reason, only registered non-profit organizations should be eligible to run or list programs on international education platforms. NPO status ensures transparency, accountability, and genuine reinvestment into local environments and capacity building. It also protects participants from misleading “voluntourism” operations and preserves the integrity of what educational travel should be—mutually beneficial, ethical, and purpose-driven.</p>
<h4>What does ethical global engagement mean to you?</h4>
<p>Ethical global engagement means forming relationships that respect both people and place. It’s about collaboration, not extraction—working with local communities, not on them.</p>
<p>True ethics in global engagement require transparency, cultural sensitivity, and ensuring benefits flow back to those who host and protect the environment. It also means avoiding tokenism or “feel-good” projects that serve participants more than local needs.</p>
<p>In marine conservation, this translates to lawful, science-based work that uplifts local capacity, protects ecosystems, and fosters mutual learning rather than exploitation.</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1764054039/images2/interviews/Vci2RdNGv6MpEVNdiTkgmHZbqz7575vLvZmZIcMm.jpg" alt="Happy group of men on a boat at sea."><div class="caption"><p>Grant with Sharklife students and team members during a field training day off Sodwana Bay, preparing for a marine monitoring session in the iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area</p></div></div>
<h4>What hopes do you have for the future of international education?</h4>
<p>I hope the future of international education returns to its core purpose—mutual learning, cultural respect, and genuine contribution. Too many programs today are profit-driven, using the language of conservation and community upliftment while delivering little real impact.</p>
<p>For international education to retain its meaning, non-profit organizations must once again outnumber and outshine for-profit operators. NPOs ensure that programs remain transparent, accountable, and rooted in local benefit rather than commercial gain.</p>
<p>If this balance shifts back toward genuine public-good initiatives, international education can once again be a powerful force for understanding, empathy, and lasting global impact.</p>
<h4>What qualities in program &amp; host community relations are important to you? (And Sharklife?)</h4>
<p>For Sharklife, meaningful program and host-community relations are grounded in authentic conservation outcomes rather than symbolic community projects.</p>
<p>As a marine conservation organization, our priority is to conduct research that produces tangible ecological benefits—protecting species, informing management, and strengthening marine protection efforts. While we value respectful collaboration with local communities, we focus our energy where our expertise has the greatest impact: advancing science-based conservation.</p>
<p>Ethical engagement, to us, means contributing real value to the ecosystems and management frameworks that sustain both marine life and the people who depend on them.</p>


Grant Smith

Get to know the people behind Sharklife! Check out this GoAbroad Staff Interview with Grant Smith.

Grant Smith | Sharklife Staff Interview

Sharklife Staff Interview with Grant Smith

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