What inspired you to work for Philotimo Abroad?
I love to bring the community together. Conscious travel adds so much value not only to a holiday, but to your life. I also love bringing the vision of wellness leaders to life so that they can gift others with their healing.
Traveling is also an amazing perk. This summer I am going to Athens, Santorini, and Mykonos! I worked for this organization because they are well connected in Greece and have good intentions within business.
Describe a typical day at work.
A typical day at work for me looks like working from home, a coffee shop, or the pool deck. I spend my days meeting yoga teachers, reiki healers, and caring individuals. I get to create retreat programs through organizing accommodations, excursions, personal chefs, and the day-to-day itinerary.
This means negotiating with partners and coming to agreements for upcoming experiences. I often am writing contracts and calculating expenses and financial projections, which is the not-so-glamorous side of things.
I am so grateful to be doing what I am doing, it blends my passions, dreams, and skills of travel, wellness, and business/marketing. This role is also very much an entrepreneur's role as I don't have anyone watching over me managing my day to day.
I create and prioritize my tasks and decide what is the most efficient way to run the business, and work to understand how to incorporate integrity in business.
Grand Canyon
Why do you do what you do? What is your favorite part of your job?
I absolutely love meeting yoga teachers and healers. With conscious travel, I am bound to meet amazing individuals and learn so much about life in general. I also love traveling to Greece!
If I had to picture my dream job when I was younger…this would be it. A few weeks before I got this job, a good friend asked me what my dream job was. I replied "something where I get to travel, meet amazing souls, and be in my entrepreneur/business/marketing flow." The universe answered right away.
How do you use your education and international background in your current role?
I received my Bachelors in Business Administration at the University of Richmond, which is a top 100 business school. With that education I have a very strong foundation in each discipline of business.
I specialized in marketing, which I utilize heavily on the day-to-day. Additionally, I was a Division I field hockey athlete which gave me the opportunity to improve my discipline and determination, which translates nicely to this kind of work.
What are some current projects you are working on?
Currently, I am coordinating a girls trip in May and June that includes excursions and activities in Athens, Santorini, and Mykonos.
I also am coordinating a retreat in early May at Mount Olympus, which includes a buggy tour of Mount Olympus, horseback riding/equine therapy, and, of course, yoga and wellness.
Kauai, Hawaii
What is your pre-travel advice?
The advice I would give pre-travel is to give yourself more than enough time to prepare! Packing is less stressful if you do it far in advance. Also to get enough rest and hydration beforehand.
Other than that, just relax and enjoy the present moment. Problem solving will come naturally when you need it abroad.
Why should someone choose your organization over competitors?
Someone should choose Philotimo Abroad because we ensure high quality programs and trips. A quality experience is something that can be expected.
Philotimo means love of honor and we love to honor our students. To gift students the tool of wisdom and travel is a gift that lasts a lifetime.
Also, we are very personable at Philotimo Abroad. We always have lasting connections with our faculty and students through creating unforgettable trips. We work night and day to create the best trips for students and that is what they receive.
Joshua Tree, CA
What is your organization's mission and how do you continue to work toward it?
Our mission is honor and integrity in everything we do. Truth and honor is the undercurrent of our day to day. This is why our trips are such high quality and so impressionable on the students.
We attract the best wellness leaders because of this energy and integrity. As a business we value it which ensures us long lasting partners and friends.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
I hope participants take away a fresh perspective on life. I hope they are inspired to take care of their mind, body, and spirits in a fresh light.
I also hope they make life long relationships with the students they meet on their travels. I hope they leave full of satisfaction and wanting to come back because it was an experience of a lifetime.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
Travel is important to get out of your bubble. If you stay in familiarity there is no chance for growth. By putting yourself in challenging and uncomfortable situations you are forced to adapt, and, oftentimes, blossom.
Different cultures enrich your perspective on the world and open your heart. There is so much to see and experience out there—why would you limit yourself?
What does conscious, meaningful travel mean to you?
Conscious travel is important for learning life lessons and growing as an individual. I often think, “why not maximize an investment of traveling abroad” and use it to level up yourself in an extreme and beautiful way.
Our retreats are designed to change the students' perspectives and open the students' hearts for more in life.
