International TEFL Academy Staff

What's your role at International TEFL Academy?

I’m one of two Marketing Managers here at ITA. My role is to focus on inbound marketing in relation to content creation, website optimization, SEO, social media, video production, and much, much more.

What's your story?

Having not traveled much outside of Australia as a kid, I ventured out on my first trip abroad to the USA while still in University. It was this trip that solidified the beginning of a long and beautiful love affair with seeing the world.

After graduating from Uni in 2008 with a BA in Business, I settled for a boring office job that had no correlation to my Marketing and Management majors. It was this boredom that drove me to discover the Disney International College Program - a 3, 6, or 12-month program that would enable me to live in Orlando, Florida on a J1 student visa, all while working at the happiest place on earth; Walt Disney World! Without hesitation, I applied and after a few rounds of interviews, I was accepted into the program and spent the best year of my life living and partying with students from all around the world, while working at Cirque du Soleil's 'La Nouba' at Disney Springs.

After almost two slightly depressing years back in Australia missing my Disney family, I managed to land E3 visa sponsorship and a full-time marketing job back in Orlando, Florida. I spent four years there before transferring over to Chicago and later landing a job at International TEFL Academy. Somewhere in between, I was lucky enough to be one of 50,000 of 14 million applicants to win the Green Card Lottery and am happy to now be a permanent U.S. resident.

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

I was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia (the most liveable city in the world for six years running!), but currently reside in Chicago, IL. I attended college at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia, and studied a BA in Business with a double major in Marketing and Management.

What countries have you visited?

Australia, USA, Canada, Mexico, Bahamas, Aruba, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, France, Spain, Monaco, Italy, Belgium, Greece, Albania, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Netherlands, Bosnia, Montenegro, Vatican City, Malta, India, Nepal, China, Egypt, and Jordan.

Long term travel experience

To me, the USA is my long term abroad experience!

What is your favorite international cuisine?

I'm a bit of a picky eater, but I do love me some Chinese (Szechuan) and Italian. I could eat pizza for every meal and die happy.

Best travel advice?

Just go - you will have zero regrets. And if you're planning a visit to Australia, set aside a minimum of three weeks. Many people don't realize how big a country it actually is!

Why do you like working at ITA?

I always said that if I could find a job that married my digital and social marketing background with my love of travel and passion to see the world, I would have found my dream job; so here I am! It's always nice being surrounded by a group of people with a common interest, and when that common interest is travel, you are never short of interesting and fascinating stories to share. Everyone here is so warm and welcoming and I look forward to not only having great colleagues but also future travel mates to explore the world with.