What inspired you to work for TravelGrad?
I set up the company about half-way through my own year of teaching English out in China. I was blown away by how amazing it all was, and felt a strong desire to share it with as many others as possible.
I also felt that there was a massive lack of applicant support in the industry, both before and during their experience abroad. This was something I knew I could address.
This was it. the final exam for the TravelGrad TEFL course. These students are now graduates!
Describe a typical day at work.
I start by checking email and WhatsApp messages from applicants both abroad and in the UK. I then typically have a phone call or two with new applicants who are looking to sign up and get abroad. I then tend to spend a couple of hours on application administration, marketing, and overseas relations.
Why do you do what you do?
My job enables me to work flexibly & remotely, be myself, and help others do something truly meaningful. That is a lot of positives in one sentence.
Initially however, when I set up the company, I didn't really expect to be doing it for ever. I kind of thought I would give it a shot for a year or two and see what happens. Before I knew it I was doing it ten years, and now see no reason to give it up! It is a lovely lifestyle and I enjoy everything about it.
This is a selfie with a participant and students who are learning the English language!
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of the job is probably seeing how happy our applicants are. I love checking out the Instagram account, the testimonial videos & the reviews. Our applicants often stay abroad for years, refer their friends to us, and tell us that it was the best experience of their life. It's a lovely feeling being a part of that.
What challenges do you often face and how do you overcome them?
In this industry, we are dealing with a lot of bureaucracy. There are often last minute changes to documentation requirements, and visa processes. It is a constant effort to keep on top of everything for our applicants. This is probably the most under-estimated part of the job.
It is not as easy as you'd think! However, like anything in life, you get used to it. You get used to expecting things to change. And you get good at managing it when it does.
What are some current projects you are working on?
We are currently working on adding as many overseas graduate options as possible. 2024 will see the addition of three new options: America SummerCamps, Property sales in Dubai, and Airline Cabin Crew. We want graduates to have as many opportunities as possible, worldwide, upon completion of their degree.
This photo is inspirational! The people featured are TravelGrad participants abroad.
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
I would tell myself to strap in, saddle up, and get ready for a wild and wacky adventure! I would tell myself to say yes as much as possible, and to always try and keep an open mind. I would tell myself that all struggles are generally worth it, and to trust that everything will work out for the best, in the end.
Why should someone choose TravelGrad over competitors?
We really do care about the applicants. They've have always been number one for us. I think that sets us apart from a lot of other organizations.
We take a personal approach, we speak to the applicants on their level, and we 'get it'. We've done it all ourselves and we can relate. We are also extremely affordable, putting people before profit at all times.
What is your organization's mission and how do you continue to work toward it?
We are committed to connecting graduates with exciting alternatives to the typical ‘grad job’ route back home. We’re here to turn their dreams of living abroad into a worry-free, life-changing reality. Through our renowned support services, we’re not just here to make their journey happen, but to guide, support, and advise them every step of the way.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
We hope to open their eyes to the many wonders of the world. We hope to show them that there's so much more out there than what they currently know about. We want them to become more open-minded, more optimistic about life, and more comfortable and confident in themselves. We want to show them how amazing life can be.
Love this photo of a TravelGrad participant exploring and loving life abroad.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
The world is a big place, and there are a lot of different ways of living. We don't really get a say in which country or culture we are born into, and we tend to grow up thinking that life for everyone is probably much the same as it is for us.
This could not be further from the truth. To truly understand the world we live in, we've got to put ourselves in as many different parts of it as possible.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel to me, means any kind of travel where you grow as a person, and come back a little bit different to how you were before. It is travel that tests you, forces you to open your mind, and ultimately 'grow' as an individual. I believe that the best way of achieving this is to live and work abroad, in as many countries as possible.
