What is your favorite travel memory?
There are so many to choose from! My top memories come to mind are spending my first Christmas abroad in soaking up the sun in Koh Samui—ending up in an Irish pub, of all places. In Italy, it was watching the eruption of Mt. Etna from a hotel in Sicily or sipping on a Spritz with friends while taking in breathtaking scenes of the Dolomites.
How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?
It feels like a lifetime ago since I started working for the company, because I have grown so much in that time. I have heard so many inspiring stories and adventures from colleagues and TEFL students, which have made a huge impact on my outlook on the world and reinforced my passion for travelling and teaching by seeing firsthand the benefits it brings to people's lives.
What is the best story you've heard from a return student?
It's difficult to pin down just one, as I hear new stories every day. One in particular was a student who decided to use his TEFL qualification towards volunteering in Thailand. Even though he had recently experienced a great loss in his family, he decided to go ahead with the opportunity anyway. Hearing that really hit home for me the impact TEFL abroad can have on someone's life. Whether it is to enable them to start fresh, change careers, help others, or just open their mind to a new culture, TEFL can change your life for the better.
If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?
I would do all the programmes if I had the time. But if I were to choose one, I would go to South Korea. East Asia is a destination I haven't explored yet. The culture is extremely unique and has one of my favourite cuisines. The job opportunities and benefits of working as a TEFL teacher are always very competitive. South Korea is definitely on my bucket list!
What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?
Our company is like no other! While our team may come from different backgrounds, we all share a passion for spreading the word of TEFL and love to see people go abroad to live their best lives. Truthfully, I am proud of my team every day. The determination it takes to keep up in the fast-paced industry of TEFL while always putting the interests of our students above everything is inspiring.
What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?
I believe collaboration is a driving factor for a company's success. Contributions from people of all kinds of backgrounds are important. Particularly in such a dynamic industry as TEFL, the methodologies used in EFL teaching are always collaborative, people-focused, and creative. I think these same elements should be integral parts of a company.