What inspired you to work for TravelBud?
Travelbud was the key to my success when I first moved to Costa Rica. They gave me all the tools I needed to be comfortable. I wanted to give that same reassurance to others when they make that jump to teach abroad. Now hearing how excited future teachers are on the phone makes my heart happy.
This is me driving through the cute little beach town with my teacher friend
Describe a typical day at work.
My typical day starts around 7:30 a.m. - 8 a.m. to prepare for the day. I like to have a good mental space before starting any job. The mornings are quiet and peaceful. Then I talk on the phone about placements, reach out to new inquiries, take a little mid day walk, then get a lunch.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I love hearing how excited people are when they first reach out. They have all these exciting reasons why they want to teach abroad. Getting the chance to know someone during the first phone call is purely a moment to connect. You can hear the excitement through the phone and it makes you smile.
What questions do participants often ask you, and how do you typically respond?
The one question I get asked the most is, "Did you enjoy my experience with Travelbud?" and the answer is 100 percent yes. When I was a participant, Travelbud was always there for me. Anytime I talked to someone on the phone or via email I felt that instant connection.
They remembered what I talked about months previously. It made me feel validated. Now, working at TravelBud, I am able to give that same connection back. I am able to connect and have conversations that can leave an impact.
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
Before I traveled to Costa Rica, I wish I would've focused more on myself. There is so much discovery to be done while traveling.
My main advice for others is to focus on your own healing journey. This can be reading, eating, saying yes or even saying no. Whatever that is, it’s your journey to understand.
This was the day we were celebrating Halloween at my school! It was such a blast!
What challenges do you often face and how do you overcome them?
When I was working in the school, there was a time I had no idea what was happening. This was a scary moment for myself. I would be prepared for the day with my students and there was some activity about to happen. This left me being very vulnerable and had to ask questions over and over again, to fully understand what was happening. Living abroad you have to be open to ask questions to strangers, you will get lost going somewhere or you may stumble to a random parade. Being able to ask questions will go a long way.
Why should someone choose TravelBud over competitors?
With TravelBud, we all have taught and lived in another country. We are able to tell future teachers about the joys, excitement, and the difficulties of living and teaching abroad. Also, Travelbud is constantly keeping everyone updated about what is new and what is changing.
What is your organization's mission and how do you continue to work toward it?
TravelBud is a teaching abroad organization helping people experience unique and rewarding cultural adventures abroad. Our current mission is focused on diversity and inclusion. We are working towards keeping the company an open minded place to work.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
The participants are traveling abroad but also living in a new country. As someone who understands the difficulty picking up your life and starting a new one. I want the participants to feel safe and understood. The feeling of being supported at every step of the way can help with a smooth transition.
This is me after hiking up to a gorgeous waterfall in beautiful Costa Rica.
Why do you think learning a new language is important?
Learning a new language opens the door to establish a connection. There are so many people in this world. Being able to connect to others in their home language brings a new perspective of how they live their lives. It's a beautiful moment to be able to connect to others in their native language.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
When you are traveling abroad and experiencing a new culture, it is not just for that day. It is about a lifetime of understanding new people. You get a deep rooted sense of awareness of what others' lives are like. You also never know the impact you could leave on others.
What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?
If I could give one piece of advice to anyone traveling abroad, it would be to travel when you are ready. There is no race to travel the world or to see as much as you can. Take your time to be fully in the moment and present.
Sometimes social media can give you a false understanding of what it is like traveling and living abroad. It is important to be prepared for a new life and be prepared for the unexpected as well. You just never know what will come along the way.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel means taking a moment to explore the unbeaten path. Take the road that is not always there. Eat food that is new (to you). Say hello to others and ask questions. You just never know where you will end up when you travel!
