What inspired you to travel abroad?
Going abroad was always something I wanted to continue doing ever since I visited both Boston and New York for a 90-day holiday back in 2014. Since then I decided I wanted to travel and get paid for it so I began to apply for English counseling jobs in Europe. Bavaria and the family feeling at LEOlingo is the main reason I love returning here and for the past four years, it has been my primary location when teaching English as a foreign language.
Disco night means dancing, listening to music, and having fun with friends.
Why did you choose LEOlingo?
I chose LEOlingo in Bavaria because I was looking to work in as many different European countries as possible. I began teaching English as a foreign language in 2017 in both Italy and France. Then in 2019, I wanted to try Germany too and since then I haven't wanted to work anywhere else in Europe and I keep coming back.
What was your favorite part about your host country/city?
The cleanliness, culture, food, and organization in Bavaria, Germany are like no other. Europe is beautiful and full of different cultures and many countries but I always feel very at home in Bavaria. It is very easy to navigate with public transport and it is super close to Austria, Switzerland, Italy and the eastern countries like Poland and the Czech Republic, etc. Bavaria has similar features to Ireland (where I am from) but the weather is hotter so that's a big plus too.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
The people I met during my employment and free time for sure. Meeting new co-workers from almost every native English-speaking country does not get boring and every year LEOlingo is very different. In your free time, you will inevitably travel with friends or alone so you also meet people wherever you go whether it's touring a new city or visiting a local area with host families, etc.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
The staff at LEOlingo are superb and in my opinion, it is the most organized and professional company I've worked for. There is an extensive handbook and a fantastic training week provided before employment begins. Andrea, who is the owner and manager, takes the organization of the camps very seriously and takes care of every staff member to make sure they are happy and confident in their role. I have always felt cared for and supported while in Bavaria because I know I work for a great company with good intentions.
We had so much fun on Bavarian night in 2023. We got to dress up in lederhosen and dirndls!
Did your program provide specific pre-departure Covid support? If yes, tell us what kind of support you received.
Yes, LEOlingo was very informative before arriving in Germany. There was constant communication and updates regularly and help was offered where needed for any of the staff members who were worried or unsure about something specific. I felt very happy and safe even though nothing was predictable at that time.
How did LEOlingo help you stay (and feel) safe abroad amidst the ongoing pandemic?
Very nicely, LEOlingo provided the necessary testing and safety equipment both for personal use and in the workplace. I also felt quite free in Bavaria during the pandemic and the rules were not so severe so it was still easy to have fun and enjoy the day-to-day work without extreme restrictions.
I really enjoyed going outside to play with everyone for our fun Lacrosse Day.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
There's nothing I would do differently really except to remind myself to always have fun because it is easy to get worked up if something doesn't go to plan or the way you organized it at camp. I find that sometimes I like things to be perfect for the camp but they are not always going to be that way, so don't take yourself too seriously or get disheartened if a plan has changed or cannot happen.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
A typical day for me when abroad is to enjoy the hot weather, have fun with colleagues, and make sure the kids have fun at camp. I like to stay organized and ready for a camp day so my main focus is work and staying healthy. When I have a nice plan or activities for the day ready I can then go with the flow and have fun with my co-workers and the kids at the campsite.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
Seeing the surrounding cities and attractions is a big plus for me. I also like getting to know the locals whether it is from a favorite restaurant or coffee shop or even just a sales assistant from a clothing store I regularly go to. I find German people to be extremely accommodating and friendly and it's always a joy to go to some small towns for a beer festival or the local city.
It's finally here, race day! We had a blast on the track racing the go-karts.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
There are three different types of accommodation that you could have while at LEOlingo: 1. Host families 2. On-site accommodation (castles/youth hostels etc) 3. Airbnb. All three are great experiences and my favorite are host families. Your food and accommodation are always free/included too just in case you are curious.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
Just smile and have fun! Come and be willing to learn the games, songs, and ways of being a camp counselor. As long as you are open and receptive to the experience you will have a lot of fun with the team and therefore go on to be a great camp counselor. Don't take yourself too seriously because the kids at camp just want to have fun and be silly while learning English.
Would you recommend your program/provider to others? Why?
Yes, I regularly speak highly of LEOlingo and I always refer them to the website when they say they want to travel or work abroad. I find that I get excited when I do this which is a big indicator of how much I enjoy the work and the experiences I've gained from the many years of working at LEOlingo.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
The personal growth, nostalgia, and the funny stories you can tell from the past journeys. There is nothing like completing a trip and gathering experience and stories from it in my opinion and it is my favorite part of traveling for sure. Maintaining relationships from traveling is also a nice reward and it motivates you to constantly travel when possible.
Ready, set, go! We got to watch the go-karting races while we were at Pottenstein!
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
My time abroad has impacted my life mostly in terms of my personal growth and life experience but it has also made my relationships stronger. When you meet someone while traveling or working abroad it enhances the connection with them and you tend to keep in contact because of that strong bond. I find I am happy to organize future meetings and events down the road more effectively with people I've met abroad.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel for me is when you have a purpose to your journey. Yes, you are there to have fun and see new ways of life but usually deep down you have another reason for going somewhere. I find meaning in seeing how much I've grown after an experience, seeing my life change, and achieving personal goals when traveling.
