What is your favorite travel memory?
My favorite travel memory was living with a host family in a small town in Poland. During that summer, I taught English at the local elementary school and had the chance to meet many of my new Polish neighbors. I was welcomed with open arms into a culture I hadn’t known much about before and quickly felt at home. My host family cared for me as one of their own and showed me the true value of traveling abroad, learning from other cultures, and connecting with wonderful people.
How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?
Seeing what goes into planning a study abroad program has been eye-opening. We balance creating meaningful cultural experiences with maintaining a careful budget to keep our programs accessible and affordable. Our goal is to ensure that all students have the opportunity to study abroad and learn from another culture. I especially enjoy finding creative ways to showcase these opportunities, whether through a video or an Instagram post, and sharing the amazing experiences Expanish has to offer.
What is the best story you've heard from a return student?
It’s always inspiring to hear about the host family experiences our students have. Many say they learn just as much (if not more) over family dinners than they do in the classroom. Local families are eager to share their culture and language, and it’s heartwarming to see the strong bonds that form when students return to visit their host families again.
If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?
I would love the opportunity to participate in the Psychology, Culture & Health program in Buenos Aires this summer. Argentine culture is incredibly hospitable, with a unique blend of Latin American and European influences that I deeply admire. This program would be an enriching chance to learn from local professors about Argentina’s health systems while immersing myself in the country’s culture. The excursions and day trips also sound amazing, and I would love to experience it all firsthand.
What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?
Expanish is unique because we operate as small, local teams, keeping the study abroad experience boutique and personal. I’m proud of our team for always being enthusiastic about sharing the culture and experiences of each city. This work never gets tiring. Every opportunity to connect with students through personal stories and special moments feels meaningful and rewarding.
What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?
The key to success in the study abroad field is remembering the importance of our work. Connecting cultures and creating opportunities for international education is essential in today’s global world. By staying true to our values of student-centered learning and cultural immersion, we can continue to provide meaningful and transformative experiences for our students abroad.