What countries have you traveled to?

• South East Asia – Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Sri Lanka
• South Pacific – New Zealand, Fiji, New Caledonia
• China
• USA
• Canada
• Central America – Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama
• South America – Columbia, Ecuador and Galapagos, Peru, Bolivia
• Europe – UK, Spain, Italy

How did you get involved with Rustic Pathways?

My childhood friend was a teacher chaperone on a Rustic trip to Fiji and rang me immediately after saying she had found the perfect job for me! And boy was she spot on.

How long have you been working with Rustic Pathways?

Almost a year.

What is the most fulfilling aspect of your job?

I love being that person who people feel supported by when they venture out of their comfort zone. I also love watching individuals transform the way they see the world and watching them grow into educated travelers.

What makes Rustic Pathways different from other international program providers?

Rustic Pathways really is like a big family. I have worked for other student travel providers in the past, but I have never felt the support and genuine love that Rustic has both in my Australian country team and across the globe.  Also, the fact that we have an in-country management team in every country makes us un comparable on a risk management and safety level.

Have you traveled with other Rustic Pathways employees? What was your experience like?

It’s an absolute ball. I will always make sure I have a few days extra at the start and end of my program to hang out with the Rustic staff in that country. There is no better insight into a new country than traveling with a Rustic in country staff member. They look after you like family and it feels like you are hanging out with a lifelong best friend, even though you have just met them. I always come home with a sore stomach from laughing too much.

What has been one of your favorite moments at Rustic Pathways?

Taking an NSW school into Cathedral Gorge in the Bungle Bungles. We went in for a night hike and once we reached the end, we all just laid down in silence and looked at the milky way shinning as brightly as ever. After about 5 minutes I noticed one of the girls crying, when I got up to check if she was ok, I noticed the whole group was tearing up. I brought the group together to find out what was going on. They had all just individually taken a moment to reflect on their trip and realized how lucky they were to have the opportunity to come on this trip and how it had changed their lives. They had all self-reflected without any prompts and were all crying happy tears. It was at that moment I realized I was doing my job right and making a positive change in students lives.

Why do you view travel as an essential part of every education?

I believe you don’t truly know yourself well until you have allowed yourself to be challenged and opt into totally new things and places. This then permits you to find what your passions truly are, and it directs you onto the right life path – I am a definite believer there is no better classroom. To experience a location and culture firsthand is the ultimate life experience.

What is the first thing program participants do when they arrive in Australia?

Ask to go to the beach or want to see a Kangaroo.

What is the most important thing participants bring home with them?

A new understanding of Australian indigenous culture.

What is some of your best advice for incoming participants?

The best travel advice I ever got was, “You know you have had a great trip when you come home exhausted, but happy. So make the most of every opportunity!”

What is the most unique aspect of Rustic Pathways’ programs in Australia?

Definitely our amazing wildlife and the interactions you get on every program through our foundation partners who look after sick and injured wildlife.

What is the most unique aspect of Rustic Pathways’ programs in Australia?

Trying kangaroo and crocodile.

Outback trip experiencing the vast remoteness some Australians live in.

Experiencing aboriginal culture and getting to see firsthand rock paintings and artifacts from over 60,000 years ago.