Brittany Kemp, an educational account executive for Hemisphere Educational Travel, works with schools to plan and coordinate student travel across the United States.
What is your favorite part about your job?
My favorite part of my job as an account executive is playing a part in getting these students out of the classroom and giving them the opportunity to experience firsthand what they’re learning about! I believe that there is just so much for students to learn that it can’t all be done in the confines of the classroom. I love working with teachers that share this mindset, and I go above and beyond to help their students learn about the world around them through these trips.
Where is your favorite destination?
After I graduated from college, my sister and I took a trip to Amsterdam—and it is hands down my favorite city in the whole world. Everything about this city is completely picturesque. I’d go back in a heartbeat.
What’s the best thing you’ve learned while traveling?
The best thing I’ve learned while traveling is that even when you think you’ve seen it all, there’s always more to learn, more to see and always a new adventure to take on!
What’s the best thing you’ve eaten while traveling?
Nothing beats the fish and chips I had on a rainy afternoon in a little pub in London. It was so good!
If you were stranded in an airport, what three things would you want with you?
My phone.
Some snacks.
Someone who’s company I enjoy, to pass the time with.
If you could run into anyone famous—fictional or nonfictional, historical or mythical—during travel, whom would you want to run into?
Robin Williams. I appreciate people with a quick wit about them and he definitely had that. I also think he was a truly brilliant actor and such genuine person—someone I would love to have a conversation with about anything and everything.
What’s one thing you would recommend every student group do while traveling?
I think that every student group while traveling should just be present and take in as much as they can! It is so easy to get stuck behind phones nowadays, trying to document the trip, that things can be lost. I recommend that every student group do their best to create memories by being present, so they can remember and share their full experiences later rather than sharing little snippets straightaway.
What destination on your bucket list do you most want to visit?
Do I have to pick just one?! There are so many places I have yet to visit, but Croatia is at the top of my list. I’ve never met a beach I didn’t like and from what I’ve seen, I doubt Croatia will disappoint.
What’s your favorite activity while traveling, or something you’ve always wanted to try?
I love getting out and exploring any new city I go to. Having a few solid ideas of places you want to see or things you have to do while you’re somewhere is a great way to start. But sometimes the best and most memorable experiences come from veering off the beaten path, to see what you can discover about a destination all on your own.
What do you love about travel?
Traveling is a chance to broaden your horizons and grow as a person. You can learn so much by placing yourself in a setting you’re unfamiliar with, surrounded by people who live their lives differently than we live ours and share different customs than we do. I love that travel allows you to have experiences you wouldn’t otherwise have if you stayed within your little world you’re comfortable in.
It’s one thing to read about the world and see photos of these amazing places.
It’s life-changing to actually be able to experience it firsthand.
Written by Hemisphere Educational Travel