What is your favorite travel memory?
Hard to choose one! They are all special. I have lots of fond memories of all the beach trips I’ve taken in Oaxaca. The Pacific Coast in the south of Mexico is really beautiful and wild. There are amazing boat trips to protected virgin bays and beaches that can only be accessed by boat. It's a magical experience for the students that have never seen the ocean or that have only been to vacation resorts and touristic sea side locations.
How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?
Serving as an Arcos Resident Director in Oaxaca has given me a deeper appreciation of my own culture as well as the opportunity to share it with others. I value the unique aspects of my own culture--everything from art such as murals and stencils, to our rich food culture. I love watching Arcos participants try new foods--from ceviche, to chocolate, to Tlayudas.
What is the best story you've heard from a return student?
I was taking a student to the airport. Just before departing, he ran back towards me and told me that the trip had changed his life. This means so much to me as a resident director. I've noticed that our students are impacted by experiences great and small. Sometimes it is the grandness of the Monte Alban pyramids that blows them away. Sometimes it is the simple things, like walking through the market and taking in all of the colors, sounds, and smells. Sometimes it is the people you meet, having a conversation in Spanish, or learning about someone's life and livelihood.
If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?
I would love to visit Argentina. I know Arcos offers a truly immersive and cultural program there, and I would love to experience it for myself! I've always been interested in learning more about the history, literature, and art of Argentina. I would enjoy getting a feel for the city of Buenos Aires and learning how to ride the subway. It would be fun to try mate, dance tango, and check out the street art.
What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?
The directors and the host families. We all go above and beyond. We truly care about making each participant feel embraced by their family and immersed in our culture. I am especially proud of our team when our students share with us about how much the program has meant to them and how they see the world and themselves in a different way.
What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?
Team work and communication. We are in close contact with our Arcos team in Mexico and headquarters in Austin, TX. Everyone is supportive and we do everything we can to make sure each Arcos participant has all of the information and knowledge they need to prepare for an amazing experience abroad.