How did you come to join the team at Connect-123?
I have been organizing international educational programs and internships since my studies at university so it was quite a natural development. Participating in international exchange programs was the most valuable part of my education; it really helped me to get on the right path in terms of my career and I am really happy I get to share my experience with our interns now.
Enjoying the views in Spain
Can you tell us about your role as the Program Coordinator in Barcelona and Buenos Aires?
I work very closely with our program participants from the moment they send us their initial inquiry until the moment they are about to leave Barcelona or Buenos Aires with backpacks full of wonderful memories. My job is to understand what it is they are truly passionate about and find them a meaningful project where they can live the experience they are looking for. The role is quite complex, diverse, and never, ever boring, which is something I love about it!
How do you support students as a Program Coordinator?
Zuzana at the Arco de Triunfo de Barcelona
It is essential to be frequently in touch with our students to ensure everything goes smoothly. I don’t only support them prior to their arrival but also guide them through their internship or volunteering project, organize events to help them discover the city, and simply assist with any query they might have.
What challenges do you face in your work and how do you overcome them?
From time to time, I see students who let little things like bad weather or a longer commute negatively influence their whole experience. I wish they realized how lucky they are to be able to spend some time abroad in a country of their choice and dedicate their time to something they truly care about! There is a wonderful opportunity lying right in front of them and it makes me sad when I see they’re choosing to leave it there. Luckily, it doesn’t happen often, but when it does, we always sit down with them and try to provide some extra support, see if there is something we can do about it, or just give them a hug if that’s what they need!
You have a lot of international experiences. What lessons have you learned through these experiences that you use in your work today?
Making global connections in Spain
There were many lessons and some of them learned the hard way, I’m not going to lie! I think what is the most important, and what really brings me close with our students, is the fact that I can simply relate to how they feel. For some people, it’s their first time going abroad and spending a longer period away from their family and friends. The idea of an international program surely sounds exciting and I am happy so many people decide to take this step, but it can be quite overwhelming at the beginning—especially if you are not fluent in the local language! I really appreciate it when our students share any of these feelings with me, and since I have been through this so many times I can help them to overcome the culture shock and get the most out of the experience.
How does your background in Art Studies influence your current work?
I believe any kind of arts can be such a wonderful source of inspiration! Thanks to my studies and interest in music, film, and visual arts, I am always able to recommend some great local events to our interns which might help them to truly understand the Spanish and Argentinian culture.
Where does your passion for international experiences come from?
My parents lived the majority of their life in communist Czechoslovakia with no opportunity to travel since the borders were closed. In our little flat, I grew up surrounded by hundreds of books and travelogues my dad collected as a replacement for all those exciting journeys he dreamt about but never took. There was everything—stories about climbing up to Kilimanjaro, breathtaking photos of the Grand Canyon, poems celebrating the beauty of Paris. They were basically my bed time stories, and every night I fell asleep knowing I simply have to see all those places one day!
Zuzana poses with friends
Why do you think it is important for individuals to travel and experience new cultures?
Traveling and learning about new cultures opens our minds, gives us inspiration, and teaches us that everything we know isn’t necessarily true. It tests character in new situations way outside of the comfort zone and reveals a lot about one’s personality. It might be a cliche, but experiencing different cultures really teaches you a lot about who you are as a person.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
To me, it means really connecting with the place. It means to immerse myself into the local culture, talk with people in the countryside, get involved with local organizations, discover the wildlife, and try local food—even if it smells a bit weird. I like to sit down with locals and talk about the differences between our cultures for hours only to find out that in the end we are all quite similar!
If you could participate in any Connect-123 program, which would you choose and why?
I know our destinations quite well but I have never been to Cape Town, so I would definitely choose this place. Our team working there is fantastic, so I’d surely be in good hands!
