What is your favorite travel memory?
It’s hard to narrow it down to just one travel memory, but so many of my favorites come from time spent outdoors in New Zealand.
Camping, swimming, getting out on the water, interacting with wildlife, challenging myself physically, and also slowing down enough to truly relax. Some of the most magical moments have been sharing those experiences with students—watching them connect with the landscape and see New Zealand through fresh eyes. Seeing their excitement, curiosity, and confidence grow in those moments is a powerful reminder of how lucky I am to live in Aotearoa New Zealand.
How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?
Working at IFSA has shaped me into a leader who is deeply focused on the student experience. I’ve learned how important it is to balance thoughtful program design with the everyday realities of being a student abroad—academics, wellbeing, and feeling supported in a new place. Over time, I’ve become committed to listening closely to students, local partners, and staff and using their feedback to make programs stronger and more responsive.
What is the best story you've heard from a return student?
One of the most meaningful stories I’ve heard came from a student who arrived in New Zealand somewhat outside their comfort zone when it came to the outdoors. They weren’t an outdoorsy person at all, but decided to give it a try so they could fully join their IFSA friends on activities.
Over the semester, they discovered a love for being active, spent more time outside than ever before, and gained confidence with every new challenge. When they returned home, they shared that those experiences had completely changed their lifestyle—they felt healthier, more confident, and more open to new experiences. We’re still in touch nearly ten years later, and they’ve maintained that active lifestyle ever since. Stories like this highlight how powerful stepping outside your comfort zone can be.
If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?
Since I can’t choose New Zealand—because I already get to live and work here—I would love the chance to experience one of IFSA's programs in Mexico. The Mexico programs stand out to me for the way they combine strong academics with deep cultural immersion, community engagement, and everyday local life. I’m especially drawn to programs that encourage students to build real connections, step outside their comfort zones, and engage with history, culture, and place in meaningful ways. Much like studying in New Zealand, I think an experience in Mexico would challenge me to see the world differently, reflect on my own perspectives, and grow both personally and professionally in ways that stays long after the program ends.
What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?
One of the many things that makes IFSA unique is the depth of care and intentionality we bring to every aspect of the student experience. We work closely with host institutions, local communities, and our in‑country teams to design programs that are academically strong, culturally grounded, and genuinely supportive. I’m especially proud of our team during moments of disruption—whether that’s weather events, system outages, or unexpected challenges. Time and again, I’ve seen our teams step up with calm, empathy, and a problem‑solving mindset.
Those moments highlight who we are as an organization: responsive, student‑focused, and deeply committed to making sure students feel safe, heard, and cared for while abroad.
What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?
I believe the biggest factor in being a successful company—especially in international education—is trust. Trust between students and staff, between partners, and within teams.
At IFSA, success comes from listening carefully, communicating clearly, and following through on our commitments. When people trust that you have their best interests in mind, challenges become easier to navigate and opportunities for growth expand. A successful organization also values learning and reflection, using feedback to continuously improve. In study abroad, experiences are personal and often transformative, so students need to feel supported every step of the way. Building and maintaining that trust is what allows programs to thrive and students to fully engage.
