What is your favorite travel memory?
I went to La Palma (one of the smaller islands in the Canary Islands) with my husband for a week, and we were blown away. The island easily appeals to any type of traveler. We particularly enjoyed the food (it was sensational) and driving to every point of the island looking for adventures. You can see volcanos, black sand beaches, jungle-like hiking paths, waterfalls, astonishing cliffs.My favorite memory was swimming in the ocean in the morning, and then driving up in the afternoon to the highest peak of the island, Roque de los Muchachos, and seeing snow. In the same day.
How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?
It is a unique and fun experience to work for a growing, start-up company. It allows and pushes you to wear hats that you might not have considered doing before, and you might find a new interest in some of these new roles.
Ultimately, I love getting to help others experience the wonderful country of Spain, my home, and everything it has to offer.
What is the best story you've heard from a return student?
All the best stories have some core elements in common. These participants were able to find a beautiful community of people and connect with them. They felt welcomed into the culture and the community, thanks to mutual effort, respect, and openness. The participants that engage in this way tend to never want to leave, and often times even find lifelong friendships or partners, which is so beautiful.
If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?
I would select the Spain Support Program! The opportunity to go almost anywhere in Spain, to have a year to explore the country, while also having an impact on a community and the growth and knowledge of the kids in the school, is both an exciting and purposeful adventure. The ability to make a difference in the lives of others, is often equally or more enriching for yourself.
What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?
We are the program that offers the most support in Spain. I have heard of horror stories of other teachers abroad feeling practically abandoned and left to their own devices while trying to navigate the incredibly stressful and difficult immigration process, or communicating with different government agencies in another language they don't master, and it is so discouraging!What I am most proud of though, is that the team really makes every effort to not conform. We try to improve and offer even more support whenever a need that isn't being met comes to our attention. There is always a way to provide more support, and we love to do it!
What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?
I believe the quality of expertise and drive to help others is what makes the team at RVF International special, and what ultimately contributes a great deal to its success. We are all passionate in providing excellent service, because it ultimately means helping others fulfill a dream of theirs, which is a wonderful thing to be a part of.