Describe a typical day at work.
A typical day of work for me is answering emails, a lot of emails! I communicate with our program participants, checking up with those already in Spain and those that are just starting the applications process. Then, around mid-afternoon, we will most likely have a team meeting to go through the highs and lows of our program. We are always trying to improve and better what we are offering to our participants. Then it's back to emails and phone calls.
After our team meetings, I will speak with other heads of business to see if we can form partnerships that will make the participants transition to Spain easier and enjoyable. I also speak with heads of organizations who are interested in what we do to help students and/or schools. That's pretty much a normal day.
Class is in session!
Why do you do what you do?
I do what I do because I enjoy enriching people's lives by helping them create amazing memories that they will never forget. We focus on the person and not on the numbers. We are always telling our program participants that they are not a number to us, which sounds obvious, but it's so easy for companies in this industry to forget that those participating in our programs are making incredible sacrifices to move from one country to another. A lot of courage is involved on the participant’s side, let's face it, international experiences are fun but can be very scary. We understand that, we focus on serving those in our program. We spend a lot of time on the phone with our program participants to just listen to what they needed to share, not because we could fix the situation, but because we understand that they are people. They are people with fears, hopes, desires, and wants. If I can play a role in making that person's life better by being there for them. I think this is what makes what we do and who we are unique.
Madrid, Spain (Credit: Lucas Snow, 2019)
What are some current projects you are working on?
We are currently working on expanding our program to reach other European countries such as France, Germany and Italy. We are very excited about the possibilities of serving our program participants in more countries than Spain and connecting them with schools that are just as fantastic as the ones we work with now.
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
I would tell my pre-travel self to, above all, be flexible and go with the flow! There are so many hiccups and twists and turns that arise when it comes to international travel that I would have definitely told myself to ride the wave, lean in, and embrace the messiness.
Why should someone choose RVF International over competitors?
Someone should choose our organization over any competitor because we care about the people, not the number. We are there for our program participants in every step of the way, before and after they arrive in Spain.
We are the only program in Spain that has intentionally scheduled video calls throughout the entire duration of the program to check upon the participants, answer any questions they have, and further build the relationship between RVF and them. We focus on having consistent contact, face-to-face chats and continual updates to make sure everyone is feeling good, having fun, and in control of their time abroad. Someone should choose our organization and our program because we are focused on, above all else, serving those around us.
What makes RVF International easy to market to potential participants?
I think the biggest factor that has helped our program to be successful and is what makes us desirable to people interested in coming to Spain is, as corny as it sounds, our focus on the human aspect. I see our job as designing a program that adds value to people’s lives. We fully understand that most people who come to Spain via our program aren't going to spend the rest of their lives in Spain, but they are willing to live abroad for a year or two to then return to their home countries. We understand that, our job is making those one or two years so incredibly awesome that anytime they look back they’ll smile.
Madrid Spain (Credit: Lucas Snow, 2019)
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
My hope is that our participants take away the very simple but profound realization that we live in a global world. That we are just one of many individuals who each has their own unique culture, way of life, language, background, ups-and-downs, families, and passions. International travel is truly a gift and sobers us as people. Simply realizing that there is more than one way of doing the same thing, and understanding that our way, or our ideas, or our wants and desires, aren't always the best over what others think and do. This is a really important lesson.
How do you help support participants?
We support our participants by walking with them on every step of their journey. We are big on face-to-face conversations. We like getting to know our participants on an individual level, understanding what they are wanting to get out of their travel experience. The more we know about them, the more we can personalize our program and service to meet their needs.
If you could participate in one of RVF International programs, what would you do?
I would choose our Teach English in Spain Program. It's the perfect blend between work and travel. The teaching job itself does not only look great on a resume and pay well, it also allows for a unique window into the Spanish way of life that most travelers wouldn't ever get a chance to see. I would choose this program to interact with the students, have a coffee with my fellow teachers, and brainstorm together how we can impact the lives of the students at our school for the better. I would also choose this program for the flexibility and time that it opens up to travel to other parts of Spain and the rest of Europe. I'd spend my weekdays enriching my students lives, and my three-day weekends (yes, three-day weekends!) visiting cities like Berlin and Rome, as well as soaking up the sun in the south of Spain.
A Coruna, Spain (Credit: Nicole Crilly, 2019)
What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?
My advice is do it, but do it when it is the right time. Take the leap, travel abroad, experience the world like you've never done before, but do it when you are ready for the journey. Do it when you are mentally prepared for the hiccups that will Inevitably come along the way, do it when you are ready to soak up all the life lessons and use them as tools to better yourself as a person. My advice would be to travel (without a doubt!) but do it when it's the right time for you.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
To me, meaningful travel is any travel that teaches something. I don't mean the type of teaching necessarily done in a classroom, although that is always fantastic. I am talking about the type of travel that teaches something about the way other people live, that shows the different foods people eat the unique and exciting ways they cook it... Meaningful travel happens when an open minded traveler meets an open road.
What qualities RVF International’s community relations are important to you?
Transparency and openness. Hands-down those two qualities. I have seen too many students and program participants get burned by programs and companies that weren't truly focused on their well-being. We strive to let all of our program participants know exactly what is happening at every stage of the travel process. We are transparent about every fee they will encounter, and we engage with them on a consistent basis to make sure they are feeling good about the travel decision they are making to better set them up for success. Transparency and openness with our participants are very important to us as program providers.
