Meet The International TEFL Academy Staff

 What is your role at international TEFL Academy?

Admissions Advisor and the Business Development Director

What's Your Story?

I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri and never really had any interest in traveling outside of the U.S. or experiencing other cultures when I was younger. My grandparents had a place in Scottsdale, Arizona which seemed so exotic to me at the time. I got to visit them every winter and I felt lucky that I had somewhere warm to visit. I was content with going on a vacation here and there in the States.

Things changed just before I started high school, and I had the opportunity to travel to Israel on a school trip. I was the first person in my family to travel abroad and I felt so lucky to have had this amazing experience. I fell in love with the food, the people, the history, the ancient architecture, everything was so unbelievable to me. It was definitely a life-changing moment and I knew at that time I wanted to keep exploring the world. Since then, I’ve had the chance to live and work abroad in Australia, backpack through New Zealand, meet with our school partners in China, and attend international travel conferences in Ireland and South Africa. I have now traveled to more than 10 different countries spread across 5 continents. I caught the travel bug and I want to keep going! I feel excited that I get to come to work every day to inspire and help others achieve life-changing experiences and memories that come with living abroad.

Where are you from, where did you go to college & what did you major in at college?

St. Louis, Missouri, Indiana University, studied abroad at University of Sydney. Majored in Business - Marketing Minors in Music Studies and Sociology

What countries have you visited?

Israel, Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, The Bahamas, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, England, Ireland, The Netherlands, and South Africa

What's next on your list?

Spain, Colombia, and Japan 

Where have you lived, worked or traveled abroad long-term?

I studied abroad in Sydney, Australia for a semester during my junior year of college. I was able to travel all throughout the country, reconnect with family in that region, and backpack through New Zealand. I also worked in marketing and promotions for an online study abroad newsletter. 

What was one of your most memorable travel experiences?

My first week in Australia my friend and I got ourselves locked in private tennis courts at our university. We just wanted to play! Australians are pretty adventurous and no one would help us out with trying to find the owner or someone with a key, they just said, “Climb out, Mate!” Yadda yadda yadda, my friend I and had to climb over a 10 foot fence with barbed wire lining the top.

Best travel advice?

JUST DO IT.

Name some of your favorite literature & media:

Rick Steves – Europe through I love getting inspired by any books and tv shows from Anthony Bourdain. It definitely doesn’t suck to eat and drink your way around the world and get paid for it!

What is your favorite international cuisine?

Chinese food on Christmas

Why do you like working at International TEFL Academy?

I get to talk about travel all day! Also, sometimes we have cake.