What inspired you to work for The GREEN Program?
This one is easy! I believe that environmental issues such as climate change are the most pressing concerns of our time and I believe that educating and empowering young people on these issues are an important part of the solution. More and more students want their education to translate into a career that makes a difference and our programs are a pathway to do exactly that.
Learning the history of the river Kwai during an alumni reunion in Thailand.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job is getting the opportunity to collaborate with students, partners, and organizations that value innovation and challenging the status quo. Many students come to us saying they are looking for that "something more" and many of our university partners see our programs as an avenue to provide a different kind of impactful educational experience to their students. I'm constantly inspired by our growing network, and being able to pioneer a new niche within international education with them is rewarding.
What are some current projects you are working on?
I'm currently excited about an Industry Mentors initiative our team just launched. From NASA, to Nike, to the United States Air Force, our team has selected 20 leaders from TGP's alumni community who are making strides in sustainability, clean energy, and social impact. As Director of Alumni Engagement I'm working on building our programming that connects our mentors with our student community, so that they can learn from their inspiring experiences and insight from making waves in their field.
Delivering a presentation on our programs and the connection between environmentalism and Jurassic Park (while dressed as a dinosaur).
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
I was fortunate enough to be able to intern in Kenya (solo!) the summer after my freshman year. I remember being so nervous! If I were to go back, I would reassure myself that traveling and accumulating meaningful experiences will be one of the best investments of my time and resources that I will ever make. I mean that both personally and professionally. While I understand traveling is a privilege, I would encourage every student and young person to seek meaningful experiences outside the classroom in any way they can, from working, setting up information interviews, or even volunteering. There is something very empowering and transformative about seeing what you are learning in the classroom applied in the real world.
What makes TGP special?
The GREEN Program (TGP) is special because it was created for students, by students. We have introduced a new model for education abroad that provides participants with unparalleled industry access and through short-term, intensive programs in just 8-10 days. Ultimately we seek to redefine the classroom by enabling one-of-a-kind experiences like studying the effects of climate change on the top of our world’s glaciers, or learning about the potential of renewable energy from inside top-tier energy facilities around the globe.
Why should someone choose The GREEN Program over competitors?
Firstly, our programs are an excellent choice for anyone looking to maximize their winter, spring, or summer break. Our short-term model works well for students who would otherwise be unable to fit in a semester- or year-long study abroad experience, specifically STEM students who represent 70% of our participants.
Second, our programs are perfect for students looking for industry exposure and that added resume boost. In addition to the career-focused nature of our program, we offer many benefits after our programs including career newsletters, industry mentorship, leadership development programs, and even reunion programs exclusively for our alumni around the world.
Learning about climate change on a glacier during our Iceland: Renewable Energy & Sustainability Program.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
Nearly 100% of GREEN alumni say our programs have helped to refine their purpose academically, professionally, and personally. My hope is that our alumni leave feeling more motivated, equipped, and inspired to tackle our world's challenges.
How do you help support participants?
We make it a point to set up a phone call and have a personal connection with every student who applies or expresses interest in our program. Our team values being able to provide one-on-one support to determine how our program can help each student accomplish their goals and what we can do to help them overcome any obstacles that are keeping them from attending.
If you could participate on a TGP program, where would you go and what would you do?
I'd love to experience our Japan program to learn from the local professionals responsible for decommissioning the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power plant.
A group of alumni I led on a Backpacking and Leave No Trace reunion program in Glacier National Park, MT.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
I keep coming back to this idea of purpose. I think travel becomes meaningful if it helps you better understand yourself, your identity in this world, and how you want to make a positive impact with your life.
What issues do you see in the world of international education that don’t line up with your values and expectations for mutually beneficial & educational relationships between providers/programs and the communities in which they are located?
When developing a new GREEN Program destination, our team co-develops every part of the program with our new partners and network on the ground. I'd like to see this practice of collaboration in more international education programming. I'm confident that when local organizations and communities have a stake in program development and outcomes, that they benefit the most.
What hopes do you have for the future of international education?
It is my hope that international education continues to chip away at the barriers preventing individuals from studying abroad and becomes more and more accessible to students and young leaders from around the world.
