What inspired you to work for EF Gap Year?
I was inspired to work for EF Gap Year because of their incredible reputation, expertise and ingenuity on creating meaningful cultural exchange experiences for young people. I was also drawn to EF Gap Year because they are working to break down the stigma associated with the term "Gap Year" and encourage students to follow their own path, even if that is deviating from societal expectations of what a structured "education" should look like. This is their year. I love how supportive EF is of that mission.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job is watching our gap year students challenge themselves in a way they never felt possible at the start of their program. So much growth happens on the road, it is energizing to see it happen real-time. Seeing how proud they are of themselves is a beautiful thing.
This was taken in Iceland when I was leading a STEM program to Boston, Iceland, London and Paris.
How do you use your education and international background in your current role?
I use my education and international background in my current role by being a mentor and coach to all our gap year travelers. I work with them from the moment they are enrolled to the day they get home.
I ensure they feel prepared, know what to expect, give them tools to set them up for success, facilitate goal setting, provide support, challenge when necessary, and facilitate reflection and tangible takeaways. I am able to do this from a place of empathy and understanding because I have had similar experiences.
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
Journal! It is incredible to be present in every experience, but then take some time each night to reflect on what you experienced that day before you forget the little things. What did that moment feel like, smell like, sound like, what was surprising, etc. No detail is too small when journaling - you will be thankful later on!
What makes EF Gap Year special?
EF Gap Year is special because it is the culmination of 50 years of expertise in education travel, language learning, and cultural exchange. With support from more than 50,000 staff members and 600 offices and schools around the world, we are able to adapt and pivot faster than any other company. We are able to adjust according to the need, interest and market easily because of this incredible support system and offer students the best experience possible.
Why should someone choose EF Gap Year over competitors?
EF Gap Year is unique because each itinerary offers a very well rounded experience that includes variety in the types of experiences, and customization in the destinations. Our year and semester programs combine language study, internship and service experiences into one comprehensive program. Our programs set our future leaders up for success in their adult lives by fostering self-discovery, open-mindedness, and independence.
Presenting to our EF Gap Year students at our orientation this fall at our Boston office.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
I hope that participants take away essential skills that will prepare them for success in our increasingly globalized world. I hope they learn to follow their passions and embrace new challenges, become a more empathetic and open-minded citizen, gain confidence and awareness, teamwork and leadership skills, and life readiness to take on the realities that come with being an adult.
If you could participate on one of your organization's programs, where would you go and what would you do?
If I could participate on an EF Gap Year program, I would go on the 25-week Gap Year program. I would want to experience as many cultures and choose very diverse locations, which is something unique that EF Gap Year allows you to do. Therefore, I would choose to live like a local and study French in Nice, make a global impact in Peru, and learn how to work and live independently doing an internship in Tokyo.
Why do you think learning a new language is important?
We live in such a global world, that in order to continue to improve as a society and make major steps forward with important social and environmental causes, cultural exchange is imperative.
The best way to do that is by learning new languages, immersing yourself in the culture, and broadening the population that your voice can have an impact on, but also listening to those other voices. At the end of the day, we are all human and want to feel understood and appreciated. Learning new languages is a tangible way to convey that incredibly important message.
What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?
Take the leap! I would not be the person I am today without travel experiences, and I certainly would not be doing my dream job. I can trace every major life decision back to the first travel experience I had away from my family. It was truly life changing. If it feels a little scary right now, that is ok.
Do your research and take the time to find the right program for you, talk to the people that work there (they are experts), and trust your gut. If you have a passion for travel, trust yourself and take that leap - who knows, you may just find your passion like I did mine.
My amazing EF Gap Year team - this was taken at our orientation in Boston this fall.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel means to me that you are doing your research prior to traveling to a particular place and the history so you have a baseline of understanding. You are aware of cultural and societal norms. You take the time to fully immerse yourself by speaking to the local people, eat the local food, experiencing common activities, always being respectful, keeping an open-mind, and leading with empathy.
What hopes do you have for the future of international education?
I hope international education becomes more affordable and accessible to make these life-changing and growth experiences available to more young people. I hope one day international education is a staple to the educational offerings, and not something that needs to be justified.
How is your company handling Covid protocols? What should participants know about your Covid readiness? How are you assisting participants with navigating the new travel landscape?
When deciding where to travel, EF considers guidelines released by the CDC, WHO, US Department of State, and our EF Global Safety Network which also include staff on the group to get real-time reports.
EF Gap Year participants must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to travel, including a booster if eligible. A negative COVID-19 test is required for all travelers to join our local orientation. We are following all local COVID-19 guidelines wherever we travel.
Our on the ground staff are trained to inform and enforce all necessary protocols, and enhanced cleaning and sanitary protocols are in place with all our partners and suppliers. Our on the ground staff are organizing all COVID-10 tests required to meet entry-requirements when traveling.
We have a COVID Care Promise in place which states if a traveler is diagnosed with COVID-19 required to quarantine on account of COVID-19 while on program, EF will provide or arrange for lodging and meals, EF representative for support, translation services, and logistical support at no additional expense to the traveler throughout any on-program quarantine period.
