What inspired you to work for Global Work & Travel?
I had just returned from my working holiday in Australia and had a real passion for traveling. Global Work and Travel seemed like the ideal place to start my career. I love that they get people who are wanting to travel but don't know where to start and are starting in a new country. I am proud that I can be such a huge part of that.
Describe a typical day at work.
I manage two arrival teams that look after all travelers that land in the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. I spend my days talking with our partner organizations and growing our database so that we can offer the best job opportunities to our travelers. I am also involved in growing the team and the locations that people can arrive in, looking for cool new inclusions in cities across Australia.
Why do you do what you do?
I think that everyone should spend time in a new country and not just on holiday! A working holiday is a way to see the country in a way you can not as a tourist, you get to meet the locals and embrace the culture. My job is the best part of the process because I get to see the travelers in their new home and I can make sure they are happy and safe and doing something that they love!
Me and my best friend met while traveling Australia 10 years ago and have been inseparable since.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I love to see our more reserved travelers who might have started off nervous and timid, really come out of their shells, make new friends, and settle in. Oftentimes they will go on to stay a lot longer than they initially intended and even book more travel because they had such an amazing time! Also getting the group together when they arrive is very special, all of these solo travelers will meet up and send photos of their orientation group out surfing or hugging Koalas and they become like family and some even end up traveling the country together.
How do you use your education and international background in your current role?
I had traveled quite extensively before I started work at Global Work and Travel. I left home at 18 for a holiday to Spain and I ended up staying there for 6 years. This then ended up being now 17 years away from my hometown, so I know what it is like for a young person to be away from their home comforts and how important the security we offer is, because we are essentially their family whilst away. I think my time traveling gives me compassion and understanding of what our travelers are feeling and enables me to really put myself in their shoes.
What challenges do you often face and how do you overcome them?
Often a traveler will have a blueprint of what they think they want and sometimes their plans are not entirely realistic. So for me, setting expectations nice and early is very important. If a traveler wants to live and work in London for example, though we can certainly provide this, I will make sure they are aware of the costs and hours involved in being in a city so they are not overwhelmed on arrival. Or if they wish to work on a farm, I will be sure that they are prepared for the seasons and weather that may interrupt that work so they can be sure to head to the right place at the right time.
Just us chilling and living in the outback in Australia in the beautiful Lake Argyle.
What are some current projects you are working on?
We are currently starting a new arrival service where travelers can land in Melbourne rather than just the Gold Coast. To do this I am looking for cool hostels to partner with in the City and also some exciting inclusions that they can do on arrival. Once we have Melbourne finalized I will then look to extend this to Sydney, Perth, and Adelaide making way more choice for our travelers.
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
People are for the most part very friendly! Everywhere I have been there are always lots of friendly locals who are happy to help and talk about their home, so go out and meet the locals, don't be scared to go off the beaten track. Real travel can't be done from a resort. The expats are amazing but learn the language and make friends with the locals.
Why should someone choose Global Work & Travel over competitors?
We have the most advanced tech in the game and we have invested heavily in our own portal, gWorld where travelers have everything they could possibly need at their fingertips. This is now also an app so we are very current and innovative making sure that our young travelers have all the latest tech available to them. We also have a 24/7 emergency line which means that no matter what day or time it is, if our travelers need us they can call and speak to a human who can help them in the predicament they are in. Finally we understand our travelers as almost all the staff are travelers themselves or people who have done some type of overseas travel in their life.
Casually swimming with sharks like it is no big deal. We had a lot of fun here!
What is Global Work & Travel's mission and how do you continue to work toward it?
Our mission is to be the number one travel company in the world! To help as many people as possible achieve their travel dreams and be there for them 100% while they do so. By continuing to a more virtual based company we can ensure that everyone's needs are met day or night as well as having that human touch with our amazing staff in all locations.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
I hope that they come home with a new lease on life and a real appreciation for the place that they visited. Travel can literally be life-changing and the memories you make on our trips will stay with you for the rest of your life and I hope that every Globaller has that experience. I also hope that they remember us as a company that was there for them when/if they needed it, our travelers vary in age, race and gender, but we want every single one of them to reflect back on their trip with a sense of pride that they did it.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
Traveling out of your comfort zone opens you up to experience this world we live in, in a meaningful way, it allows you to embrace other people's cultures and to understand how people live in a different country to your own. You can watch on TV and learn from books, but the only way to REALLY see it is to get out there and visit these countries. You will also have more of an appreciation for your home and family when you return and have so much to tell them!
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel is getting off the beaten track and exploring unknown areas. Talking to the old man at the end of the bar who has lived there for his whole life and hearing about how the place has changed, tasting the local cuisine, getting to know the religion and respecting how the people live. Being respectful and remembering you are there for only a short time so embracing what the area has to offer.
