Seth is a Philadelphia area native who has been privileged to travel the world since he was a teenager. A graduate of American University, he has traveled throughout Africa, Europe, North America, and the Caribbean. Some of his most rewarding experiences in life have been on teen travel programs: from getting up close and personal with moose in Alaska and mantas in Mozambique, to watching incredible sunsets over the Mediterranean Sea. Seth is always excited to help every student have a unique and memorable experience with Travel For Teens!
What is your favorite travel memory?
When I was SCUBA diving off the coast of Mozambique for a week, we were on a boat headed to a dive site when our driver spotted a whale shark nearby. He stopped the boat so we could all hop in to snorkel with the largest fish in the ocean. Whale sharks have baleen teeth like other whales, so they aren't as dangerous as they sound. I was almost close enough to touch the thick skin of an animal the size of a school bus! It was a truly unforgettable to swim right up next to such a large and majestic creature!
Later on that day, we got to dive with Manta Rays, Lion Fish and Morey Eels!
How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?
Since I started working here, I have grown in many ways. One of the most significant changes has been finding my passion for sharing the gift of travel with others. I was lucky enough to travel often as a teen, and have become a global citizen since then. It is an honor to be able to help others find a similar path and this is what drives me to create the best possible experiences for every one of our travelers.
What is the best story you've heard from a return student?
One of the best stories I have heard from a returning alum was simply that he felt like he was already part of a family by the end of his two-week trip last summer. He felt so connected to our community that he felt he could sign up for ANY of our TFT trips this summer and he would get the same experience. Further proof that ALL are welcome and included in the TFT Family!
If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?
This is a tough choice! We offer so many unique and special trips it is hard to pick just one! If I had to choose, I would probably pick our Southeast Asia for Older Teens Trip. This trip visits Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia on a whirlwind backpacking tour that is a truly a once in a lifetime opportunity! Or maybe the Croatia Island Hopping trip where you spend 8 days sailing on the gorgeous Adriatic Sea and living on a boat!
What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?
Our company is unique in many ways, but one of my favorites is our focus on smaller group sizes. I have been on teen tours where the individual is lost in a crowd of 30 teenagers. Keeping our group sizes limited means our staff can devote more attention to each traveler and tailor the experience to their interests. It also contributes to the greater sense of community that we foster as responsible world travelers.
I was especially proud of the TFT leadership for taking a stand against riding Elephants in Thailand and educating our teen travelers about the abuses these animals have endured. We only partner with local vendors who treat animals with the respect and love they deserve, and I think this is an important message to stand behind.
What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?
I don't think there is just one answer to what makes a company successful. However, I do believe that having a mission and having a staff that buys in to that mission are two very key factors. TFT strives to create global citizens through immersive and authentic travel experiences, transforming teens from passive tourists into confident and independent travelers.
Everyone who works for TFT has the same mission and we work together to make that mission happen. Every day I come in to the office with a smile on my face because I know that I and my colleagues are all striving to provide something completely authentic and transformative to every TFT Traveler. I measure our success by the smiles I see in every YouTube video, Instagram or Snapchat that our travelers and staff share with the world!
