Articles by Quintin Willekens

Program Leader & Sustainability Expert

Quintin Willekens is a cross-cultural education and sustainable travel expert with first-hand experience in 20+ countries and nine years in South Korea. Holding a Business Sustainability degree (Summa Cum Laude, Arizona State University), he applies sustainable development principles to international education and travel. With three years as an educator across K-12 and university levels, he guides students and families on cross-border education, visas, and safety. Quintin develops cross-cultural training programs and contributes to international tourism platforms, offering trusted guidance on student mobility, responsible travel, and global study preparation.

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Passport visa pages filled with entry and exit stamps from countries around the world.

Blank Visa Page Requirements for International Travel in 2026

July 19, 2024 · 4 min read

Learn why your passport needs to have blank visa pages here!

U.S. Passport on top of a map of the globe.

How Many Americans Have a Passport in 2026?

July 19, 2024 · 4 min read

Over 50% of Americans don’t have a passport. Learn why here!

U.S. Passport in a passport holder with a ticket for Air Asia in the side pocket, one way to keep your passport safe while traveling

How to Keep Your Passport Safe While Traveling: 10 Best Tips

July 19, 2024 · 4 min read

Out of the 5 people in my friend group, 3 have lost their passport before. Learn how you can be one of the 2 that hasn’t by reading this article.

REAL ID vs Passport: Icon of a passport on the left and an icon of a REAL ID on the right with a VS in the middle.

REAL ID vs Passport in 2026: Important Differences Explained

July 19, 2024 · 6 min read

When should I use a real ID vs a passport? Find the use cases for both and more!

Steps for taking a passport photo meeting passport photo guidelines: gather your gear, snap a pic, print and check, attach and send.

Passport Photo Guidelines and Tips 2026: How to Take the Perfect Passport Photo

July 19, 2024 · 10 min read

You don’t need a photography studio for a passport photo—you can take the photo from home! Learn how here!

An older US passport next to a renewed US passport.

How to Renew a U.S. Passport Online: New Passport Online Application

July 19, 2024 · 7 min read

At last, renew a U.S. passport online quickly and easily with the new beta online passport renewal. In 2026, adults 25 years and older can renew their passport online.

Group of teens standing on the beach with surfboards of different colors and the group is reflecting on the slightly wet sand.

Catching a Wave: 7 Fun Facts about Surfing for Travel Lovers

June 21, 2024 · 10 min read

You WON’T believe who really invented surfing—hint: it’s NOT Hawaii, and it’s 4,000 years older than you think!

Person walking across shallow water in the Dominican Republic.

Responsible Travel: How Do You Travel Responsibly and Sustainably?

June 9, 2024 · 10 min read

Travel with purpose. Learn how to minimize your environmental footprint and support local communities through responsible and sustainable travel practices. Responsible travel is all about positively impacting the destinations we travel to, something we are all about at Rustic Pathways.

Historic Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon, South Korea, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

16 Actually Interesting Facts About South Korea

June 4, 2024 · 11 min read

Look beyond K-pop and K-BBQ to discover things you didn't already know about South Korea. This is our list of 16 interesting facts about South Korea from a local.