What inspired you to work for Travel Live Teach?
I founded Travel Live Teach for two key reasons. First, to create amazing adventures. We enjoy supporting customers to travel, create amazing memories, and experience some of the best destinations the world has to offer. We make our customers feel secure in the knowledge that once their course is complete they have a guaranteed job and 24/7 support.
Second, to give back. TLT donates a portion of our profits to “Children of the Mekong,” an amazing NGO supporting impoverished children in South East Asia. Our donations are currently going towards supporting an education center in Samrong, Cambodia.
This is me taking a stroll while visiting Japan. Have you ever been to this spot?
Describe a typical day at work.
Inspiration, inspiration, and inspiration. One thing that gives me a lot of energy is guiding people to the best destinations, experiences, and cultures which are suited for them.
Sometimes people know they want to travel. They know they want to experience the world and immerse themselves into a culture or a lifestyle which is not possible in their home country but they don't know where or how.
I enjoy discussing the pros and cons of each region before really drilling down on the intricacies of reality in a specific country. Guiding as to whether they want to experience the beach in Bali or the friendly Thai locals, our conversation guides them to the best destination for them.
Why do you do what you do?
One of the main reasons I do what I do is to give back. I really enjoy when people contact me after they have experienced something amazing and thank me for the help, advice, and perhaps the little push to empower them to travel.
In addition, I wanted to give back to the amazing communities which host us when living abroad. That's why I decided to donate a portion of our profits to Children of the Mekong.
They focus on providing education and community development programs that empower children to break the cycle of poverty and build a brighter future. Part of this is helping them learn English which in turn gives the children more future opportunities. This full cycle of sending people to teach English whilst enabling disadvantaged children to learn English really empowers me to do what I do.
How do you use your education and international background in your current role?
I have traveled to nearly 50 countries and have worked in numerous regions abroad. This experience means I know how daunting it is to pack up and move, I know the considerations needed when choosing a new home and I know the best countries to go and teach English.
It is this experience which proves vital when selecting countries and courses to appear on Travel Live Teach. Alongside helping answer and guide our customers to live out their best lives.
What are some current projects you are working on?
We are currently working on adding more global destinations where our customers can enjoy their TEFL before being offered a guaranteed job. Our aim is to open the world up to our customers because we also offer lifetime job assistance. This means that once someone wants to travel to a new destination there will be more opportunities, regions, and countries available to them.
This is my wife and me riding a bike. I met my wife while I was traveling abroad!
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
Try to make yourself nervous every single day. This motto not only helped me whilst traveling but also in business and my day to day life.
When you feel nervous, you are pushing your boundaries. When you push your boundaries, you are growing or experiencing something which you haven't done before.
Now I'm not saying to go and jump off a cliff because that will make you nervous and give you an adrenaline rush! Apply it when you are in a group of new people or learning your TEFL in Vietnam. Push yourself to say hello and introduce yourself to others.
It's from giving yourself this little push and overcoming your nerves that you will experience great things. Who wants to live in their comfort zone their entire life?
Why should someone choose Travel Live Teach over competitors?
We give back. For those looking to give back and do something positive, Travel Live Teach donates a portion of our profits to Children of the Mekong. They help impoverished children learn English and break the cycle of poverty. Our donations are currently going towards an Education Center in Samrong, Cambodia.
We offer peace of mind. We are UK based and regulated. This means you don't have to worry about transferring your money into far flung destinations with little legislation to protect you.
Plenty of variety is available. Travel Live Teach currently offers 10+ bucket list destinations and it is growing all the time. That not only means that you get impartial advice as to the best destination for you, but it also means that you can take advantage of the lifetime job guarantee should you wish to change destinations in the future.
Finally, we offer 24/7 support both pre-arrive and post-arrival. We answer everyday questions such as "what should I pack" and more complex situations whilst on location.
If you have a chance to escape to the Maldives, I absolutely recommend you do.
What makes your organization easy to market to potential participants?
Potential participants really want peace of mind and that's what Travel Live Teach brings to the table. When moving abroad, it's the uncertainty which stops people. It’s the uncertainty of whether they will be able to find a job or obtain a visa.
Travel Live Teach gives them a guiding hand. We support them through the process and solve the uncertainty issue by guaranteeing a job.
What is your organization's mission and how do you continue to work toward it?
Our mission is to “Create great teachers, adventures, and give back to the countries which host us.” We create great teachers by offering the best TEFL courses out there.
We create amazing adventures by enabling people to travel and live their best lives. Guiding them through the process and offering support from beginning to end. Also, our courses include adventurous elements such as beach yoga in Costa Rica or salsa classes in Argentina.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
Participants in our program will take away the skills needed to teach English in a foreign country. Within the regions and destinations we offer, there is something for everyone. If you want to work in the countryside in South East Asia, this can be made possible. If you want to live in a bustling metropolis in South America, this is also possible!
Visiting the iconic Petra archaeological site while visiting the country of Jordan.
How do you help support participants?
We help support participants in a variety of different ways. From guiding them as to the best region, country and course for them, to offering 24/7 pre and post departure support to finally offering lifetime job assistance. This 360 degree support network really provides peace of mind for customers who opt to take our TEFL courses.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
The saying goes that “Travel broadens the mind” and this is certainly true alongside the fact that people will never be the same if they travel, in a good way. For example, people are more open when traveling than if they were to stay at home. Can you imagine walking into a bar at home and coming away with 10 new friends?
When you place people in a new environment everyone is friendlier, more open to conversation and more open to experiencing the open road together. I know from personal experience, I met my Dutch wife abroad!
On top of this, immersing yourself into a new culture means you will experience new elements and collect memories you wouldn't have thought possible beforehand. From broadening your culinary taste buds after trying all those exotic dishes to practicing more mindfulness after walking through countless temples, the possibilities are endless.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel means immersing yourself into a country whilst not leaving a footprint and being able to do something positive for the local community. It could be speaking to the locals and understanding how they look at the world, their traditions or even what they choose to eat.
It could be taking that walk down the beach and picking up that piece of trash that just floated in or it could be visiting the local orphanage to play with the local children. Meaningful travel is not only living in a destination but really experiencing it whilst giving back.