What have your own international travels entailed?
I have been to 23 different countries around the world, and each have presented a unique and interesting experience. Most of my favorite places are countries where I was able to live with a local family and experience daily life with them. Not only was I able to experience life in their country, but they also have the best recommendations on what to see, do, and eat while there! Here is a list of my favorite countries I have traveled to.
- Ireland: Super pretty landscapes and the friendliest people.
- United Arab Emirates: Very unique landscapes and culture.
- Ecuador: The mountain views are incredible, and the nicest people live here.
- Switzerland: Prettiest landscapes that I have ever seen and the cleanest water!
- Russia: Beautiful places to see and the greatest people once you get to know them!
How did you first go about getting a global perspective?
After my first year in college, my sister and I decided to go backpacking through Europe. Together, we chose five countries to travel to over the summer. It was an incredible experience to see so many different cultures in such a short time frame.
What made the experience even more special is that in two of the countries we traveled to, we were able to live with a local family. We were able to see how the locals lived in the area and learn about how differently some of them viewed the world. It was such an eye-opening experience on the beauty of different cultures. I realized then, the importance of interacting with others from around the world and seeing a new perspective on how to live life.
Why do you view travel as an essential part of every education?
Travel is essential part of education because I believe we are able to learn more through our personal experiences. It helps us get a deeper sense of the differences and similarities of the world. By listening and learning through travel, we are able to grow our awareness and empathy for people and cultures that have a different perspective than our own.
But, you don’t only learn about cultures when traveling. Traveling can help develop your independence and build your courage in trying new things! It is always so fun to hear about how surprised students are by what they are able to overcome and accomplish during their travels with Rustic Pathways!
What makes you proud to work at Rustic Pathways?
Rustic Pathways does a great job of allowing the students to really experience a culture and participate in projects chosen by the community. Each program will have at least one leader that lives in the country they are visiting to help them learn more about what life is like in that specific culture.
The best part of the job is hearing feedback from the students. It is amazing to hear about all the students were able to learn and the sense of accomplishment they have from the work they completed on the program.
My two favorite things are exploring different cultures and helping others. I am proud to work for a company that seeks to share these values with students in their own travels.
Read more about the Rustic Pathways team. Learn about Rustic Pathways programs.