What position do you hold at Envoys? What has been your career path so far?
I am the CEO of Envoys, responsible for ensuring the quality of our educational programs and the overall direction of the company. My international career began as a schoolteacher in rural Thailand. I lived with a Thai host family who owned a sizeable furniture factory, giving me first-hand insight into the complexities surrounding both education and trade in the globalized world.
My career path since has taken me to over forty countries on six continents, including stints with the US State Department, UNESCO, and the Korean Development Institute. I have advanced degrees from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. Envoys has allowed me to combine both my international experiences and academic training in a meaningful and innovative way, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead this organization.
Did YOU study abroad? If so, where did you go and what inspired you to go?!
While I had a semester in Australia as a junior, my first truly meaningful experience abroad came immediately after I graduated. My college roommate was a King’s Scholar from Thailand, and he convinced me to come to teach in a rural area. It was very important for me to see my friend on his ‘home turf’, and feel the difference that comes with being a foreigner.
What does the future hold for Envoys - any new programs to share?
Envoys is redefining the standard for global citizenship programs. We combine online courses with international travel to focus on developing the skillset necessary for students to tackle issues of global significance. With over 6,000 students traveling on our programs each year, there’s lots to be excited about!
One initiative that is making a real difference for our students is our Microfinance-in-Malawi program. Students learn about the history of development aid as well as theory behind microfinance, then visit the projects on-the-ground to see the actual difference being made through each loan. It’s a great way to learn about what real development work entails, and something that we’re proud to be a part of!
What about the future of the industry? How do you think study abroad and international education will change over the next 10 years?
We see three main areas of change:
1. The learning that has occurred in the development aid industry will soon translate to the volunteer service opportunities for high school students, shifting the focus from what the students do to the impact on the communities they serve.
2. With families and schools placing higher expectations on travel programs, the need for assessments and evaluations that go beyond the anecdotal will be huge.
3. Study abroad programs will become as increasingly internationalized, with students from around the world participating. It’s a wonderful thing to see!
