Aaron Goldstein

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Aaron is an experienced Trip Director with Westcoast Connection. He has led programs in California, Costa Rica, and Ecuador & the Galapagos.

What is your favorite travel memory?

There’s so many to choose from! Each program is so different, not only because of the places you visit, but because of the people you are with. My favorite “travel” memory would be kayaking Tortuga Bay in the Galapagos – crystal blue water with giant tortoises swimming under your boat! However, my favorite travel “memory” would be when my group in Costa Rica played a game of soccer with some locals in the pouring rain! We were all wet and we lost, but the group bond we developed was uniquely special because of it.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I’ve definitely learned not to sweat the small stuff and find creative solutions to make the most of an unideal situation. As it happens when you travel, things can go not exactly as planned and you need to make the most of it. A tree falls in a storm blocking the road ahead? Make a pit stop and try some local fruits and take in the picturesque views from the mountain top! There’s always a bright side to every experience!

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

I really can’t point to a “best” story I’ve heard from someone else. Usually my alumni trip members tell me about some funny story involving some really cool person they met on their past trip. My competitive nature sees it as a challenge to ensure that I can provide an even better experience with greater friendships on the programs I lead. I’m in the business of creating memories of a lifetime after all!

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

Thailand Community Service. I’ve never been to Asia so there’s that aspect – but more importantly the service projects on the programs are super interesting. They span from renovating an orphanage, to having a cultural exchange with an indigenous tribe, developing day camp style programming for a school and more! The program really touches on a variety of different kinds of service, plus you get to explore the country with some really cool activities too. Who doesn’t want to SCUBA and snorkel at Koh Phi Phi?

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

The motto is “Each and Every” and they truly mean it! They accommodate the unique needs of “each” trip member while also looking out for the well being of the whole group – the “every.” When one of my student’s couldn’t go canyoning because they were afraid of heights – the company provided a horseback riding activity just for them! Another time a company supervisor came to visit us and brought us all ice cream and candy after we had been stuck in traffic. They really do care about everyone!

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

Safety at WCC is their #1 concern! And that’s not just physical safety – but also emotional. They stress the importance of ensuring the social well-being of every trip member. They know that you can have the best itinerary in the world, with lots of cool places and activities, but if you’re not enjoying the people you’re with – you won’t have fun. From how they assign rooms, to the activities, to the staff they hire – it’s all part of a giant puzzle that makes each individual program the best it can possibly be for every trip member (and staff too).