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.
GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization Alumni Interview
To travel with purpose. To offer something of myself to some small piece of the world and gain a memory and experience different from popping on and off a tour bus. I think I’m able to operate, at times, in the upper portion of Maslow’s Hierarchy… Transcendence. Give back and collect experiences, not things.
There is a Japanese saying, “Seeing is believing.” I believe that actually seeing, experiencing, and doing something can change your perspective in a way that simply reading or hearing about it cannot.
To be honest, I can't quite quantify what exactly the catalyst was for my desire to go abroad. Ever since I was young, I have always been intrigued about other countries, and I long to visit them to this day. When college came, I knew I needed to study abroad. CES Maastricht checked all the boxes as far as relatively affordable, ease of travel, various courses to choose from, and supportive staff.
A Passion for Turning Travel Dreams into Reality. I loved the idea of taking someone's vague wanderlust or bucket-list dream and using your technical operational skills to design a seamless, unforgettable experience. It is the opportunity to solve varied, high-impact problems across so many different domains every single day that defines what I do.Another thing that inspired me was the opportunity to interact with different people, understand their needs, and be part of solutions that create value. I believe working in an environment that encourages learning, collaboration, and new ideas helps individuals become better at what they do. I also saw this organization as a place where I could challenge myself, gain new experiences, and develop skills that would help me both personally and professionally. I appreciate being part of something bigger than myself and knowing that my contribution, no matter how small, can help the organization move closer to its goals. Ultimately, I was inspired by the opportunity to grow, make a difference, build meaningful relationships, and contribute to the organization's success while also working towards my own personal and professional goals.
Behind every seamless safari is meticulous planning. I inspired to join because I love turning complex travel logistics into smooth, stress-free journeys for clients, ensuring their dream trip exceeds every expectation.
Also our shared belief that travel should be transformative. Growing up and living in Kenya, I’ve seen firsthand how wild places move people. Joining an organization that combines top-tier safari operations with authentic, sustainable travel felt like the natural place to bring my background in travel logistics and guest management.
The company’s dedication to ethical, sustainable tourism. I wanted to be part of a team that ensures travel directly supports local conservation efforts and gives back to host communities across East Africa."
What inspires me most about working at Zazu Safaris Ventures is the opportunity to continuously learn and grow in the tourism industry. Tourism is a fascinating and dynamic field that allows me to interact with people from different cultures and backgrounds, understand their unique preferences, and learn how they approach travel experiences, pricing, and different situations. This has broadened my perspective and helped me develop both personally and professionally.
I also feel privileged to work under a patient, supportive, and visionary director who genuinely cares about the growth of the business and the well-being of the employees. The constant encouragement, guidance, and forward-thinking mindset inspire me to stay motivated, embrace new challenges, and strive to become a better professional every day.
Above all, I enjoy being part of a team of caring, supportive, and approachable tour consultants. The positive working environment and teamwork make my experience at Zazu Safaris Adventure fulfilling and motivate me to give my best every day.
What inspired me to work for this organization was its vision, values, and commitment to making a positive difference. I wanted to be part of a team where I could use my skills, share my ideas, learn from others, and contribute to something meaningful. I was also attracted by the opportunity to grow professionally while being part of an organization that values teamwork, hard work, and continuous improvement.
Another thing that inspired me was the opportunity to interact with different people, understand their needs, and be part of solutions that create value. I believe working in an environment that encourages learning, collaboration, and new ideas helps individuals become better at what they do.
I also saw this organization as a place where I could challenge myself, gain new experiences, and develop skills that would help me both personally and professionally. I appreciate being part of something bigger than myself and knowing that my contribution, no matter how small, can help the organization move closer to its goals.
Ultimately, I was inspired by the opportunity to grow, make a difference, build meaningful relationships, and contribute to the organization's success while also working towards my own personal and professional goals.
What inspired me to work at Avicenne Private Business School (APBS) was the opportunity to contribute to higher education, share my knowledge, and support students in developing the skills they need for their academic and professional futures.
I have always believed that education goes beyond delivering knowledge. It is about inspiring curiosity, encouraging critical thinking, building confidence, and helping students connect theoretical concepts with real-world challenges. Working at APBS allows me to put these values into practice while contributing to an environment where students can grow both personally and professionally.
Another important motivation is the opportunity to work in a dynamic educational environment that connects technology, business, and innovation. As a Computer Science teacher and PhD candidate, I am particularly interested in how digital transformation and artificial intelligence are changing the way we learn, work, and communicate. I value the opportunity to bring these developments into my teaching and encourage students to become adaptable, creative, and responsible professionals.
I also see teaching as a continuous learning journey. Interacting with students, exchanging experiences with colleagues, and discovering new teaching approaches motivate me to improve my skills and remain open to new ideas.
Ultimately, I was inspired to join APBS because I wanted to be part of an educational community where I could make a meaningful contribution, share my passion for technology and education, and help prepare the next generation for an increasingly digital and interconnected world.
Fort d'une expérience de plus de 40 ans dans le domaine de l'enseignement, je voudrais que notre école bénéficie de cet acquis pédagogique et de mon expérience administrative. J'aimerais également consolider les TICs, la digitalisation, les opportunités qu'offre l'intelligence artificielle et promouvoir l'enseignement à distance; ce qui constituent l'ADN de notre université. Je tiens par la même à varier les cursus pour que notre université soit plus attractive et puisse préparer les étudiants à la vie professionnelle future dans les meilleures conditions en les initiant à différentes compétences très utiles pour leur carrière future telles que les softs skills, la prise de parole publique.
I wanted to step outside my comfort zone, see the art and places I’d only studied in class, and grow as a person. Studying abroad felt like the best way to do all three at once. Looking back, it was the right call. I came home feeling like a new person, and I’d encourage anyone thinking about it to go for it.
I wanted to experience a completely different culture, step outside my comfort zone, and discover new perspectives on life. After spending many years in Austria, I felt that it was time for a new chapter, one that would challenge me, help me grow as a person, and allow me to learn more about myself. Moving to South Korea was not just about exploring a new country, but also about gaining meaningful experiences, meeting people from different backgrounds, and learning to see the world through different eyes. I wanted to become more independent, open-minded, and confident while creating memories and connections that would stay with me for a lifetime.
IPBio- Biodiversity Research Institute Staff Interview
In 2016, I came as an intern volunteer to IPBio – Reserva Betary and conducted a study related to mammal feeding patterns on the reserve. I immediately fell in love with IPBio, field research, conservation work and Brazil and never left IPBio once they offered me a full time job. I think the most inspiring part of working for IPBio is too see with your own eyes the benefits IPBio and the volunteer program make from scientific publications, to area which were once flat to now becoming vibrant forest housing wildlife, to releasing birds caught from the wildlife trade and even the opportunities we create for local communities to develop economically by preserving the forest. Its turly wonderful to have witnessed this over the years.
My favorite part of research has always been the fieldwork, so to be able to do that full-time was so exciting. On top of that, it was a great opportunity for me to share all the knowledge and experience I gained to the next generation of marine scientists and/or conservationists. I love experiential education, so to teach my favorite topics in one of my favorite places in the world was an easy sell. It is incredibly rewarding to watch students progress over the course of 1, 2, sometimes 3 months, watching them build skills and grow in confidence. The connections I still have with many of my former students, following where they've gone in their careers has been so inspiring. It's wonderful to contribute to a small fraction of the large ORI alumni network of ocean stewards.
I wanted to be part of something bigger from the inside. Having previously worked for international NGOs in France, I wanted to experience the field and understand how an organization operates on the ground.
I wanted to experience a new culture for the first time, as before this trip I had never traveled outside of the United States. Also, I saw this as a great opportunity to get an educational experience I wouldn't be able to have anywhere else in the world, especially at home.
I've always enjoyed meeting people from different parts of the world, learning about their cultures, and sharing my own. That's what initially attracted me to Go-Elective. I loved the idea of helping international students experience Kenya beyond the usual tourist attractions, through clinical placements, volunteering, cultural activities, and everyday interactions with local communities.
I have always had a passion for nature and conservation, which inspired me to pursue the Honorary Ranger course with SANParks. While working in fields that did not directly focus on conservation, including oyster farming and commercial diving, I witnessed some of the environmental challenges associated with these industries. This motivated me to pursue a career where I could make a positive difference. During a job interview in Cape Town, I learned about an opportunity at Oceans Research Institute and immediately saw it as the perfect chance to combine my passion for nature with meaningful work. Here I would be able to contribute to conservation, and become part of the change I wanted to see.
Spanish Antigua is part of my family's history. My father founded the school in 1978 with the belief that learning a language should bring people closer together. Growing up around that vision gave me a lifelong appreciation for education and cultural exchange. After developing my own career in psychology, education, and tourism, I felt inspired to contribute to the school's next chapter. I want to honor what my father built while helping our teachers and students thrive today. For me, this work brings together my professional experience and something deeply personal: preserving a welcoming space where people from different backgrounds can learn from one another. That inspires me every day!!
I am a pre-med student at the University of Notre Dame and a certified EMT, and I want to become a surgeon. Working 911 calls showed me how much medicine depends on connecting with people in their most vulnerable moments. I wanted to see how physicians practice in a resource-limited setting, use my Spanish in real patient care, and find out what medicine looks like when you strip it down to its core.
I came to Malta by chance in 2015, to learn English for a summer, mostly because my girlfriend, now my wife, practically made me go. Living it as a student, I noticed there was no agency in Malta itself offering a truly personal service. Agencies were based in the students' home countries and often didn't really know what they were selling: they had never lived in the city, never visited the schools and couldn't tell a student what a normal week would feel like. We wanted to give students that personal experience, with the knowledge of someone who actually lives in the destination and can answer from experience, not from a brochure. That's how Vivirse started, and it is still the reason I do this every day.
