What’s the most important thing you learned in school?
The most important thing I learned in school is how to effectively manage my time. Balancing work, school and a social life was very difficult, but it taught me how to prioritize what is important in my life and how to stay organized while under pressure.
Why did you choose to study travel, tourism or hospitality?
My mom is the one who inspired me to study tourism. I was having a tough time choosing what program I wanted to take in college and my mom gave me some good advice. She told me to study what makes me happy, and I remember automatically thinking that travelling and learning about new places is what makes me the happiest.
What is your greatest professional strength?
One of my greatest strengths is curiosity. I am naturally driven to learn new things, ask questions and try to understand how things work. Whether it be learning a new role or asking questions to get to the root of the problem, I am always eager to explore and improve my knowledge.
In your opinion, what’s the most exciting trend in travel, tourism or hospitality right now and why?
The most exciting trend in travel is going to places where TV shows and movies have been filmed. You get to walk in the footsteps of your favourite characters and experience what it would be like to be a part of the film. When I was in England and Scotland, I loved visiting all the Harry Potter filming locations as it has always been my dad’s and my favourite movie series.
What are your goals for the year ahead?
This next year my goal is to travel with my sister before heading into the workforce. We want to travel all over South America, specifically Peru, Argentina and Uruguay. My goal is to practice my skills learned in the tourism program by creating an amazing itinerary for us.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10 years, I see myself working in the tourism industry and exploring new places I have never been. I hope to use the knowledge I have gained from my education to help other people experience their dream vacations.
What are some of the top places you want to see in Canada and why?
My top two places in Canada that I would like to see are Alberta and Nova Scotia. In Alberta I want to visit Banff and Lake Louise because I love to hike and there are some amazing trails there. I would like to visit Nova Scotia because I am a big seafood fan. I really want to go during the summer and try some delicious food.
What do you do to engage in travel, tourism or hospitality mindfully/sustainably?
Some of the ways that I try to travel sustainably are using public transportation to get around, purchasing from local companies, leaving no trace when in nature and always doing my research before going to any destination.
Name your favourite travel or hospitality experience so far:
My favourite travel experience so far is the road trip I took from California back to Ontario. I planned different stops all along the way: we were able to go cliff jumping in Utah, hike to a waterfall in Colorado and try deep dish pizza in Chicago.
Name your greatest achievement so far:
My greatest achievement so far is completing a study abroad semester in Ireland. Being away from all my friends and family for four months really pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me how to be independent and self-reliant. Also, I was able to immerse myself in a whole new culture, which was very eye-opening and educational.
What’s the best OR worst piece of travel advice you’ve received?
One of the best pieces of travel advice I have received is to stay in hostels. Hostels are not very common in North America, so I was unsure if I wanted to stay in one while I was in Europe, but I was so glad I did. Hostels are a fantastic way to meet new people and travel on a budget while still being close to all the major attractions.
What destination is next on your dream travel list and why?
The next destination I have on my bucket list is Japan. I had to plan a whole tour to Japan for one of my classes at Fanshawe College, and it has made me want to see the cherry blossoms in real life, travel on a speed train and try some of their amazing food!
