Bianca Jade Eke

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Bianca grew up in Africa and is crazy about all things travel, Africa and animals. She studied travel and tourism along with marketing and a conservation-related qualification. She travelled a lot during this time and now heads up our individual travel division, helping to place people in the experience of their dreams as well as helping with marketing on the side.

What is your favorite travel memory?

My favorite travel memory would have to be a family trip to Southern Africa. We spent a week in the Okavango Delta with a night on an island, separated from wildlife by a piece of canvas. This was surreal! Thereafter we headed to the Chobe National Park for a few days and ended off the trip at my favorite destination in the world.... Victoria Falls.

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

I have grown significantly since working for Worldwide Experience. I have grown in skill but most importantly in awareness. Aware of what I buy and what industry I support. My team is passionate conservationists who are vegetarian and vegan and well aware of how their actions affect those around them and the environment.

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

I love hearing about students returning from experiences that have literally been life-changing. My favorite story would have to be a volunteer who went to Conserving Desert Elephants and sent me an e-mail on return to say that she had such an unbelievable experience that she decided to sign up for Environmental Studies.

We also have a Vets Go Wild participant who has become an amazing ambassador for us after traveling with us to two different projects and runs a marathon each year in support of a charity in our home province, the Eastern Cape.

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

If I could only choose one, It would have to be Conserving Desert Elephants. Our Conserving Desert Elephants project reduces conflict between elephants and humans by working on the ground, providing practical and realistic solutions. I love the idea of sleeping under the stars while tracking elephants in the Namibian desert, what more could you ask for. Making a difference and having fun while doing it!

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

Our company is unique as we are a small team who have worked in the field and all have different conservation-related qualifications and experience. Our Director has started and continues to start projects from scratch and my colleague was a volunteer coordinator herself. I believe that this makes us unique as a team!

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

I believe that passion lies at the core of successful companies. Thereafter, I believe that you need to have your mission, vision, and goals in place and your whole team needs to be aware of them. You need to work as a team to achieve these whilst ensuring your work is aligned with your core values.