Although neither of those things happened, I didn't expect to find myself with the job that I just naturally came across- truly just reinforcing the idea to me that everything happens for a reason.
After working a summer with Rustic Pathways, I immediately felt drawn to work for the company full time. I think it was a combination of the Costa Rica team, the job description, and the variety in the position, that attracted me. This past fall, I found out I would be the newest addition to the full-time staffers that call Rustic Pathways their lifestyle, because that is what it is.
I work for a company that organizes student travel, community service, and education programs. And so naturally, travel, community service, and education become apart of my life (as if it wasn't before). I spend January-April visiting schools, talking to families, and explaining what we do to guidance counselors. Already I have lived in a company paid apartment in NYC and have traveled the past few weeks through the Southeast. May-August I am preparing and overseeing summer programs in Costa Rica, specifically Volcano and Rainforest Service Base program that requires me to live at a large property near the Arenal volcano that is equipped with a fresh water pool, soccer field, ponds, an amazingly sweet cleaning lady and restaurant-catered meals, while I get to give back to the local elementary schools and communities. From September-December I share a house with one of my Costa Rican co-workers and two other people in San Jose, working at our Costa Rican office- making life filled with weekend beach trips and salsa dancing. This makes my job perfect. Perfect for me, perfect for the stage in my life that I am at.
Being in a new role every three months is something that I appreciate so I don't get bored of my job. Traveling and living internationally for my job is something that I appreciate, because is always something I have loved doing. And, working for an international travel company, opens up my opportunities of travel and exposes my to co-workers who are even more well-traveled than I am!
It is hard remember I am in the U.S. after spending most of the past 3 years with no more than a month in North Carolina. So, as I am horrible at reaching out to my friends and family out of habit due to not having the ability, I will make sure to keep updates on here, so that everyone can stay up to date with what I am doing.
