What inspired you to work for iXperience?
I have had a desire to teach since seeing Dead Poets Society as a teenager. Whilst working in the world of Finance was very fulfilling, the opportunity to realize the dream of teaching with iXperience was one that I could not forego.
Honeymoon, Maldives. 2019
What is your favorite part of your job?
Without a doubt, teaching Investment Finance to US students is the favorite part of my job. The ability to bestow knowledge upon budding financiers appeals to me and the realization of a lifelong dream is very satisfying.
How do you use your education and international background in your current role?
Having worked in Finance for over 10 years in various capacities, I feel well suited to teach Investment Finance to our attending students. I also feel my prior CFO experience means I am well suited to manage the finances of iXperience.
New York, USA. 2011
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
If I was to speak to myself from 10 years ago, I would advise to always act upon opportunities that are presented as you generally only regret things you don't do rather than things you do act on. I would also tell myself to live life in the moment and to appreciate experiences to the fullest.
What makes iXperience special?
iXperience is driven by the notion of pushing students outside of their comfort zone so that they grow as individuals. Furthermore, the skills development we offer gives students a competitive advantage when entering the job market.
What hopes do you have for the future of iXperience?
Our hope is to expand to 10 cities and to become a truly global organization. Furthermore, we hope to be able to offer fully accredited semester programs in the future.
What makes iXperience easy to market to potential participants?
Our organization is very flexible and hence students will always be offered cutting-edge skills development while also being able to enrich themselves in the city in which they are studying via the excursions we provide. Lastly, the relationships students forge with both the company and fellow students, are long-lasting and meaningful.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
Hopefully participants leave with newfound friendships, an assortment of new skills that they can apply in the workplace and personal growth that resulted from their living outside their comfort zone.
St Andrews, Scotland. 2011
If you could participate on one of your organization's programs, where would you go and what would you do?
I would probably go to Lisbon to do Management Consulting or Data Science. The reasons for this are that I haven't visited Portugal before, I would find Management Consulting principles interesting having done consulting work previously and lastly I think I would revel in doing Data Science as I would appreciate gaining a new skill set.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
Without seeing foreign cultures, one is limited in their ability to appreciate different aspects of life. We often see various cultures and places referenced in the news but without visiting those locations, it would be very difficult to understand the basis of what we are watching.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel is travelling where one is exposed to new cultures and rather than shying away from them, tries to immerse oneself in them. Furthermore, it is travel that allows an individual to experience personal growth resulting from being pushed outside their comfort zone.
