Spending New Years Eve in Havana, Cuba! The tradition in Cuba is to wash/throw water on the front steps of your home to cleanse it for the new year. Many people live in apartments so they throw buckets of water out of their windows and onto the street; it essentially becomes one big water fight! I love New Years, especially when a city comes together like that!
Staff Spotlight: Leila Barth
Title:
Enrollment Advisor
Leila is originally from Los Angeles! After graduating from University she lived in Spain teaching English, worked for an experiential education program in Costa Rica, and lived in Australia under the work holiday visa with many travels in between! Her current favorite food is laksa; if you ever want to bribe her!
What is your favorite travel memory?
How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?
Although I have a lot of experience with travel, I did not have any experience with boats or sailing. Its been like learning a new language and I love it! Passing on that enthusiasm to students who are enrolling is always exciting, I can honestly tell them that I have been in their shoes and that they will gain so many new skills and friends!
What is the best story you've heard from a return student?
We have had many students do Seamester as a way to get out of their comforts zone and to take a break from school but when they finish the voyage they find themselves changed. Some have completely changed their majors to Marine Biology or Environmental Studies, while others realize they want to see much more of the world!
If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?
All of the voyages are amazing but I would choose one of the trips that go through the South Pacific! Tahiti to Australia because they get to stop off at many islands that most people will never see. Caribbean to Tahiti voyage is the best of both worlds with island hopping and an ocean passage-plus it crosses through the Panama Canal!
What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?
Seamester is soooooooooooo unique!! There is no other program where you will be on a boat for the entire length of the trip. Seamester allows a student to earn University credits while also earning professional certifications in scuba diving and sailing. It is also unique in that the students are considered crew. They cook on board for everyone, clean the boat, are on watch over night. There is no other program for University students like this!
What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?
I believe the biggest factor in being a successful company is listening to your staff and customer. Being receptive to suggestions of change; taking the good with the bad. Since the students are the crew on board a Semester voyage, we take their opinions in high regard. We are constantly aiming to improve because there is always room to improve!