What led your path to joining the Bridging Gaps’ team?
After graduating, I got a job working for a volunteering program called the ORCA Foundation. I worked with them for three years and in that time discovered my interest in tourism, travel, and working with international students. I was amazed at how people from all walks of life were so interested in volunteering their time internationally in pursuit of education, fulfilment or experience.
I then decided to move to South Korea for one year–this turned into four years as I became obsessed with travel and living the expat life! I finally returned to South Africa in 2018 (with my fiancé and two dogs) and found that Bridging Gaps was looking for an intern coordinator. The job fit right into what I was looking for so I jumped in and the rest is history!
Luigi on Nangyuan Island, Thailand
Describe a typical day/week as the Intern Coordinator.
At Bridging Gaps, our number one priority is to ensure that each of our interns are getting the most out of their internship and time in Cape Town. As an intern coordinator, I try to be approachable and flexible in my schedule so that our interns never feel like they can’t contact me. I usually spend a lot of my time picking up new arrivals at the airport, taking them to their accommodation, and then giving them an orientation to help them settle into Cape Town quickly and safely!
During an interns stay, I often meet them for coffee to check up on how things are going at work and life in general. I’m also responsible for organizing and managing all social events during the weekends, so I do my best to find a balance of volunteer, educational, and adventurous activities to ensure everyone is mingling, meeting new interns, and having a great time!
What is your favorite part of your job?
Oh, that’s easy. It’s the interns. They are great! We always have such a good time. It’s especially fulfilling for me when I see how quickly interns grow! They often arrive here having never traveled before. You won’t believe how many people greet me at the airport with “Hi Luigi!! Oh my gosh I’m so glad you’re real!” They arrive nervous, a little scared, and often worried about the internship, but by the time they go back home something's changed in them. They leave empowered and confident in their next adventure! It’s awesome!
Lunch at the Brass Bell Seafood restaurant after a visit to Boulders Beach
How do your own international experiences, such as teaching English in South Korea, influence you in your position today?
Having worked in a foreign country and traveled to many others, I can relate to the horror and panic most new arrivals experience in their first few weeks here! I understand the frustrations experienced while adapting to a new culture and I know the feeling of terror some experience during their first week at work.
It’s all very frightening, but I also know the joy of meeting new people and making friendships that can last a lifetime. I know the feeling of excitement and awe you feel a few weeks after you’ve settled in and realize you're in a foreign country and it’s awesome! So I guess my experiences help me to let the interns know things will be okay and all will work out in the end.
What do you hope interns take away from their placements?
My hope is that each intern leaves Cape Town with new exciting stories to tell and unexpected lessons learned. Sure, they’re all coming here to brighten up their CV’s (and trust me they will) but some of the most important lessons (and skills) are learnt outside of work when you’re face to face with a new culture!
What is the best travel advice you have received?
The best travel advice I got was from an American Navy guy who went by the nickname, DAGS (yes, always in all caps) and he said: “Try something new as often as you can; it should scare you a little”.
Why is it important for people to travel and experience new cultures?
“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” – Saint Augustine.
Luigi with a group of interns and volunteers working together to paint a school
Does your background in conservation biology influence your current work?
I think everything you learn in life will influence how you do things in the future in some way or another. For me, I often see my background in conservation presents itself in conversations about South Africa’s diverse fauna and flora. Many tourist activities in Cape Town involve these two things and I often have insight as to the best spots to visit or tours to do.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
To me, meaningful travel means to give, to learn, and to explore. These three elements are what I look for when I travel. Give by engaging with local communities, whether it be volunteering your time, supporting local businesses, or minimizing your footprint on the natural surroundings. Learn by immersing yourself in the new culture, and discover life skills that make a positive impact on the world around you. Explore by being adventurous, try new things, find hidden gems and be present in the entire experience…Even if at first it scares you.
Why should individuals choose Bridging Gaps?
I interview every intern after they complete their internships and ask them what their favorite thing about Bridging Gaps is - they almost always say the same thing: “The Bridging Gaps team really cares about me and truly wants me to be happy.”
With that I’d add that traveling to a new country to work or intern can be a daunting task. Having a team in your corner who really wants you to have the best experience preparing your trip, and who supports you while on the ground during your internship, will only further enhance your experience.
