What is your favorite travel memory?
My favorite travel memory is taking my mom to see Neuschwanstein castle in Munich, Germany and the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland. That was a heavy day but it is so important to honor the people who died there and I am so thankful to have shared that with my mom. Seeing the beautiful whimsy of the castle and then the harsh sadness of Auschwitz a few days later was a really stark contrast.
How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?
Since working with RVF, I've grown in how much I trust my own judgment and instincts. I've always been thoughtful and thorough in my work, but this role has helped me develop more confidence in making decisions without second-guessing. Being part of a team that encourages initiative and values each person's voice has reinforced that I can rely on my perspective, even in complex or ambiguous situations.
What is the best story you've heard from a return student?
People often look back on their time in Spain as not only an adventure but a time when they really grew as a person. One person told me that she still walks slower, pauses to enjoy meals, and she now believes she is braver than she thought she ever could be. Her time here has given her the courage to go on to become a full-time, first-grade teacher and she is loving it!
If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?
I DID go on the program my company offers! I taught English in Madrid for two years with the support of RVF International and the help they provided me made it such a good experience! I had never lived abroad or even traveled alone so having all the instructions mapped out for me and knowing that there were people I could reach out to at any moment made all the difference.
What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?
I have felt completely supported and valued by everyone on the team. That makes me proud of us every day. We are unique in that we feel like close friends regardless of how long we have been on the team or even though most of us have never met in person. I am comfortable reaching out to anyone for help at any time.
What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?
For RVF, it is our commitment to being better all the time. If there is a better way to do something, we will do it. And we will help each other as in the process of learning new things. We genuinely want our participants to feel supported by us so we are constantly working to find better ways to do that.