GoAbroad

Alumni & Staff Interviews

Explore interviews with travelers, alumni, and staff from hundreds of programs.

GoAbroad interviews dive deep into the real stories of people who've studied, interned, volunteered, or traveled abroad on one of our 11,000 programs. From unforgettable adventures to honest advice, our interviews share what it's really like to go abroad. You'll also meet the staff behind the scenes—passionate people who make these programs possible and give each one its own unique vibe. Whether you're looking for inspiration or trying to choose the right path, our interviews will give you the insider scoop you can't find anywhere else.

Showing 1-20 of 3133 interviews

Laura Viviana Vargas Reyes

Laura Viviana Vargas Reyes

Interviewed in 2026

Staff

Voluntours Colombia Staff Interview

As a Colombian, I've always believed that my country has so much more to offer than many people expect. I wanted to help visitors experience the real Colombia—not just its beautiful landscapes, but also its people, culture, and communities.

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Janosch Thalmann

Janosch Thalmann

Participated in 2026

Alumni

Voluntours Colombia Alumni Interview

I was inspired to go abroad because I wanted to move beyond traditional tourism and experience a country in a much deeper, more meaningful way. I had traveled before, but I always felt like something was missing—I wanted real connection with people, culture, and daily life, not just sightseeing. 

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Sarah Preston

Sarah Preston

Participated in 2023

Alumni

School the World Alumni Interview

As a high school student, there were not many opportunities to travel to a new place, experience a different culture, and step outside of my comfort zone. School the World immediately caught my attention because it combined my desire to explore the world with the opportunity to make a meaningful impact. 

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Lily Tahara

Lily Tahara

Interviewed in 2026

Staff

Spanish Gap Year Staff Interview

I was inspired to work for my organization because I wanted to make a meaningful impact on students during their time abroad. I’m passionate about helping students experience the best of Spain while growing academically, personally, and professionally. 

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Mailys Dellicour

Mailys Dellicour

Participated in 2026

Alumni

Voluntours Colombia Alumni Interview

I have always wanted to experience a culture from the inside rather than simply visiting as a tourist. After finishing an important period in my life, I felt it was the perfect moment to challenge myself, improve my Spanish, and discover a completely different environment. 

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Mark Lünnemann

Mark Lünnemann

Participated in 2025

Alumni

Cambodia Volunteer Foundation Alumni Interview

I've always had a strong desire to explore the world, experience different cultures, and connect with people from all walks of life. After going through a difficult period in my life, I decided it was time to stop waiting and finally take the leap.

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Olivia Ennis

Olivia Ennis

Participated in 2024

Alumni

The Intern Group Alumni Interview

I always knew I wanted to go abroad at some point while I was in college, and the opportunity for me to go to Madrid and intern presented itself; I knew it was the right choice! 

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Kim Griffin

Kim Griffin

Interviewed in 2026

Staff

Middlebury - C.V. Starr Schools Abroad Staff Interview

During the summer between my sophomore and junior year while studying for my BA in Secondary Education at SUNY Oswego, I attended the Oswego program in Madrid, Spain. That changed my life. 

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Samantha Haase

Samantha Haase

Participated in 2021

Alumni

ArtBound Initiative Alumni Interview

I stayed local for my internship, but I still feel that traveling abroad is important. I think going abroad is important culturally, as immersing yourself in other people's way of life is crucial to expanding your perspective on the world. 

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Megan Knox

Megan Knox

Interviewed in 2026

Staff

Beyond Travels Staff Interview

I was formerly an intern with Beyond Travels. I spent three months in the Amazon region of Ecuador, living with a host family and learning about the local agroforestry system from Indigenous farmers. The experience was challenging but incredibly rewarding, and ultimately influenced much of my academic and professional trajectory.

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Artem Dzun

Artem Dzun

Participated in 2026

Alumni

Bethel University Global Studies Alumni Interview

Being from Russia, especially its Asian part, I always loved and kind of had to travel because Russia is a huge country. If you wanted to go somewhere, the distances are enormous: several planes, a couple of buses, and maybe even a boat. 

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Marlies Leysen

Marlies Leysen

Participated in 2026

Alumni

Beyond Travels Alumni Interview

I love traveling abroad to discover new countries, new people, and cultures. I have already traveled abroad in the past, but not for an extensive period of 7 weeks as I did now. 

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Lillian Miks

Lillian Miks

Participated in 2026

Alumni

Beyond Travels Alumni Interview

A few years prior to this trip, I went to Peru with my family. Ever since that trip, I knew I wanted to visit the Amazon again, but I didn't think it would happen so soon afterward. 

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Samir Jaafar

Samir Jaafar

Interviewed in 2026

Staff

Middlebury - C.V. Starr Schools Abroad Staff Interview

What inspired me to work for Middlebury School was the opportunity to contribute to an educational environment that values language learning, intercultural understanding, and student development. I have always been passionate about education and empowering learners through meaningful academic experiences. 

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Patricia Rodríguez

Patricia Rodríguez

Interviewed in 2026

Staff

Middlebury - C.V. Starr Schools Abroad Staff Interview

I truly believe in the core values of Middlebury CV Starr Schools Abroad: providing students with an academic and life experience that is authentically Spanish through full language and cultural immersion, as well as guided independence. 

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Teresa Peña-Jordán

Teresa Peña-Jordán

Interviewed in 2026

Staff

Middlebury - C.V. Starr Schools Abroad Staff Interview

Middlebury's vision for creating an inclusive top-tier educational program in Puerto Rico where all qualified students from US Colleges and Universities could travel to and learn about Puerto Rican culture and history, in a new environment and context, while improving their Spanish language skills through experiential and placed-based learning opportunities, internships, and via direct-enrollment in regular courses at the top universities of the Puerto Rican archipelago: Universidad de Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, Universidad del Sagrado Corazón, and Universidad de Puerto Rico in Mayagüez. 

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Juwairiah Ishaq

Juwairiah Ishaq

Participated in 2025

Alumni

Roots Interns Alumni Interview

I was inspired to gain experiences in new cultures and different perspectives. Despite this being a remote internship, it was an enlightening experience! I met with people from various backgrounds and learned a lot about working online. 

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Destiny Benway

Destiny Benway

Participated in 2025

Alumni

Seamester Study Abroad at Sea Alumni Interview

I’ve always loved traveling, especially anywhere connected to the ocean. Throughout college, I worked during the school year so I could spend my breaks exploring new places. 

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Rory Brown

Rory Brown

Participated in 2024

Alumni

Intercultura Costa Rica Alumni Interview

My daughter! She did their teen Spanish program last year, and she just loved it so much that it actually gave me the idea to go myself. She told me about all the teen stuff and also how many adult students were in the regular adult classes. 

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Myles Carpenter

Myles Carpenter

Participated in 2025

Alumni

FIEN Foundation Alumni Interview

I decided to go abroad because I wanted to challenge myself and step out of my comfort zone by traveling internationally for the first time. 

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Share Your Experience

Have you traveled abroad? Share your story and help others find the perfect program for them.

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If you are a staff or faculty member of an organization please contact [email protected] for more information.