What inspired you to work for Stoke Travel?
As an American study abroad student in Barcelona in 2023, I was trying to find ways to see Europe but in a way that I was still meeting new people, and still saving as much money as I could. When I came across Stoke Travel as a guest on their ski trip to Andorra, I fell in love with not just the people and the job, but the company itself. Stoke was a funny find, and I’m forever grateful to work for the company that brought my passion for traveling!
Alexa hiking with Stoke Travel coworkers in Albania
What advice would you give your pre-travel self?
I would tell my pre-travel self to have no expectations. The best way to truly enjoy a new place or a new culture is to be completely uncomfortable and go in with no expectations and no goals. When you do that, that’s when you find yourself making the stories that you’l tell for years from now and smile back on later in life!
Why should someone choose Stoke Travel over competitors?
Someone should choose Stoke Travel over competitors because we know that life is never that serious! What makes traveling with us so exciting is that we’ll never judge a travel mishap, a silly night of indulging in drinks, or a loud night of karaoke on the town with the group. Other travel companies focus on the operations of the trip; we focus on the guests.
Our “Festival Crew” volunteers at Oktoberfest
What is your organization's mission, and how do you continue to work toward it?
Stoke Travel’s mission is to “Squeeze Every Last Drop,” which means we’re all about making sure our customers and volunteers get absolutely everything they can out of every travel experience with us. Whether it's diving headfirst into wild festivals, soaking up local culture, forging lifelong friendships, or embracing spontaneous adventures, we want every moment to be unforgettable. We believe travel should be lived to the fullest — from sunrise to sunset and well into the night — so we create experiences that push boundaries, spark curiosity, and leave you with stories worth telling. At Stoke, it’s not just about seeing the world, it’s about squeezing every last drop of fun, connection, and adventure out of it.
Running of the Bulls
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
We want every participant to walk away from their experience with us not only with unforgettable memories but with a newfound passion for travel that inspires future adventures. Through their involvement in the behind-the-scenes action and day-to-day operations of our festivals, we hope they gain valuable hands-on experience and develop practical skills that can be applied far beyond their time with Stoke. From teamwork and communication to problem-solving and adaptability, these are skills that last a lifetime. Most importantly, we aim to create a sense of community and connection — a new family made up of fellow travelers, volunteers, and staff from all walks of life. It’s this shared journey, full of laughs, challenges, and celebrations, that turns a simple trip into something truly life-changing.
“Festival Crew” volunteers at the Oktoberfest campsite
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
At Stoke, we reckon if people never got out and experienced other cultures, we’d all just be stuck in our own little bubbles — and that’s no fun. Traveling and meeting new people from different walks of life is how we learn, grow, and realize we’re not all that different after all. It’s about sharing laughs over local food, dancing to music you’ve never heard before, and picking up bits of a new language (even if you butcher it). It’s those moments that break down walls and build real connections. Because let’s be honest — the world’s a much better place when we actually get to know each other. That’s why we do what we do at Stoke — to bring people together, have a blast, and make the world feel a little smaller and a whole lot friendlier.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
To me, meaningful travel is all about those moments that stick with you long after the trip’s over. It’s not just about seeing cool places — it’s about the people you meet along the way. The strangers who turn into friends, and the friends who start to feel like family. It’s about ticking things off your bucket list — dancing at wild festivals, trying food you can’t pronounce, jumping into the ocean at sunrise — and feeling fully alive while doing it. It’s the unexpected adventures, the inside jokes, the late-night conversations under the stars. That’s what makes travel meaningful: real connections, unforgettable memories, and stories you’ll be telling for years.