Shelby is an Educational Account Executive with Hemisphere Educational Travel.
What is your favorite part about your job?
My favorite part about my job is that it combines the two things that I cherish the most—travel and education. Student travel is extremely important because it sparks curiosity and teaches social awareness at a young age. Expanding the minds of our younger generations will have a positive impact on all!
Where is your favorite destination?
My trip to northern Peru in 2016 completely changed life. I stayed on a biology research base so remotely located in the Amazon Rainforest that I don’t think I could ever make my way back to the same community. I spent two months completely submerged in rich South American culture and absolutely fell in love. I don’t expect to ever be in a more beautiful place with more people beautiful people again in my life and I’m perfectly content with that.
What’s your most treasured travel memory, or the best thing you’ve learned while traveling?
Something I learned the hard way while traveling is that although caballo and cebolla look and sound similar, they have very different meanings!
What is the best thing you have eaten while traveling?
Bon bons at Legal Seafoods in Boston—I had four but I could have had 24.
If you were stranded in an airport, what three things would you want with you?
- A book of easy crossword puzzles.
- A reusable water bottle.
- A cozy sweater.
If you could run into anyone famous—fictional or nonfictional, historical or mythical—during travel, whom would you want to run into?
It would be absolutely crazy to run into Oprah. Her life story and achievements are inspiring and motivational.
What’s one thing you would recommend every student group do while traveling?
Do something outside! Whether that’s just sitting in a park and enjoying a boxed lunch or stopping by a botanical garden. Stops like this are great opportunities to incorporate icebreaker games to get students talking to those outside of their immediate circle of friends.
What destination on your bucket list do you most want to visit?
This is a difficult question because I want to see it all NOW. But if I had to choose, I would go to Denmark. It’s reported as the happiest country in the world where everyone lives a cozy, hygge-filled, wholesome life. Plus, everyone rides bicycles. What’s better than that?!
What’s your favorite activity while traveling, or something you’ve always wanted to try?
I hike everywhere I go, weather and time permitting. It’s a great way to clear your mind and reconnect with the environment. Great exercise too!
What do you love about travel?
Travel brings everyone together, no matter their background, ethnicity or mindset. Traveling creates a sense of tolerance and understanding for those different than us, as well as creates a sense of confidence in yourself. Get out of your comfort zone!
Courtesy of Hemisphere Educational Travel.