Staff Spotlight: Carolina Barraza Puerta

I started working with teach English abroad programs because I understand the potential these have in bridging educational gaps. I recently joined the TravelBud team to open doors to new countries and programs. I want to reach many more teachers and students whose lives will change after their experience with TravelBud's teach English abroad programs.

My favorite travel memory would have to be the first time I traveled to China with my mom. It was a trip just the two of us did that to this day is one of my most treasured memories.

When I think back on this trip, I can easily identify it as the moment when I decided traveling was one of my life's passions. I remember landing in Beijing and being wowed at every turn. From the food to the architecture to the people, every single thing was completely new to us.

There is something simply majestic about China, and being able to experience such a different culture with someone that I admire as much as my mom was truly special.

Working with TravelBud has been a great experience for me in terms of professional growth. I've had the opportunity to develop and carry out my own ideas, while always being supported by an amazing team.

What a tough question! I hear so many stories about personal growth that make me smile, just knowing I played a part in enabling these wonderful experiences. But I think the stories that stay with me the most are those where teachers find joy in helping others.

As a Colombian myself, I'm aware of the benefits that teach English abroad programs can bring to local students. Particularly in corners of the world where learning English is a privilege, these programs are a way of giving students tools for a better tomorrow. As a Colombian, I appreciate the work our teachers are doing.

As a member of the TravelBud team, I'm over the moon when I hear our teachers are taking with them experiences that are as rewarding and important as the impact they have on their students' lives.

For me, these programs are a great way of going places you've never been before, which is why my number one choice would be TravelBud's Teach English in South Korea program.

Not only would I love the opportunity to travel and live in South Korea, and the benefits the program offers are amazing! For now, though, I'm very happy with my current job at TravelBud and can't see myself leaving anytime soon.

One of the greatest things about working with TravelBud is that there's a real sense of community with all members of the team. There is such support and good will from everyone in the team that it's a pleasure to get to work every morning. It's a cycle of positive energy that we hand from one person to another until we're able to reach our teachers and get them as excited as we are for all their adventures.

I'm proud of TravelBud every day, but recently I've been receiving thank you emails from some of our teachers, and this has been a reminder of what a great team we are. It's really good to see our work paying off, and I'm looking forward to what the future has in store for us!

The support we give our teachers and our own personal touch in everything we do are the two main reasons for our success.

Teachers who participate in our programs know they will always find in TravelBud a friendly face who is willing to help. And when you're talking about living abroad and leaving all your comforts behind, to have this certainty really makes a difference in your experience.