What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job is witnessing a shift in perspective from the young adults I work with. A lot of times they are completely uncertain about their future - like I was for a long time. It is extremely rewarding to see them define their own definition of success.
On the beautiful coast of Wales
How do you use your education and international background in your current role?
My education and international background have allowed me to compile a substantial amount of resources - knowledge of diverse gap year, graduate, certification and other programs that will prepare its participants and make them competitive in their specialty.
Walking to dinner
What are some current projects you are working on?
Via computer, I am currently teaching English as a second language to children in China. This job has shown me how truly impactful we are as educators - regardless of distance. I wish to continue exploring many aspects in education.
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
I would tell myself that I should prepare as best as possible - but when things go wrong, there may be a friendly ally in every corner! From the clerk at the metro station, to the attendant at the grocery store, and the barista at the coffee shop, there will be someone that can help or direct me to someone that can help.
What makes Trek Epic special?
Trek Epic is unique in that it makes it very clear that the individual, him or herself, hold all the power over their future. It normalizes the idea that you are able to both develop and master a competence that you are passionate about and that you can successfully practice and nurture that competence in the workplace.
Hiking a mountain
Why should someone choose your organization over competitors?
Our program is a stand out because the layout of the program allows for individual connections with participants. Every leader, every guide, every participant, gets to know the other on a personal basis. There is no "leader/participant" distinction. We are all there for the same purpose - to better ourselves in all capacities.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
I hope participants take away two things from the program: first, acceptance that their career will experience many shifts through their lifetime and there is no need to be anxiously nervous about it. Secondly, that this program offers actionable, productive next steps to move forward in their education or career.
Mariel Tangier, Morocco
What questions do participants often ask you, and how do you typically respond?
Participants often ask me how I landed my current role. I believe they subconsciously are looking for a loose framework of next steps they should take. I then share with them that I ran across an organization I really believed in, constantly reached out about learning opportunities and participation, and many years later, I was able to take part in their mission. I encourage them to do the same - be persistent about things you are passionate about.
What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?
If you do one thing in your life, it should be to go abroad. Immersing yourself in a different culture shows you how small your corner of the world really is. It shows you the many possibilities that await you in the world, and it inspires you to continue exploring (the world, yourself, and everything).
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel brings values that are buried deep within you to the surface. You find that you should do more to learn about all the different people in the world. You begin to value broken languages, different communication styles, and the hundreds of possibilities that await you. Meaningful travel is not traveling to as many places as you can. It is traveling and truly immersing yourself in that place.
