One of our main goals with Explorations is to give everyone an opportunity to meet the fine folks who work at Explorica to help teachers take their students on educational tours across the globe.
This week’s featured Program Consultant is Aimee Chevalier. Here’s some of our favorite excerpts from our recent interview with her:
Where did you grow up?
Where did you go to college?
University of Massachusetts at Amherst
Where have you traveled?
Ireland, Scotland, England, Spain, Morocco, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, France. Going to Costa Rica this year!
Which Explorica tours have you taken?
Favorite band, movie, and/or book…
Classic movies from my childhood remain my favorites – like the Wizard of Oz. My all-time favorite music is probably the Motown sounds of Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye.
If you could be any animal, which animal would you be?
I’ll have to say a cat. Who wouldn’t want to nap in the sun all day long?
Favorite breakfast cereal?
Kashi with rice milk and blueberries. Only the healthy stuff for me.
If you could live anywhere else in the entire world, where would that be and why?
Italia. I’m enamored with the language and the land.
What do you like to do when you’re not helping teachers plan fantastic tours?
I go out dancing whenever I can. I love to let loose!
Who was your favorite teacher growing up, and why?
I was absolutely in love with every one of my elementary school teachers – so much so that I would get nauseous when I had a substitute.
I was kind of a sensitive kid…
Is white chocolate really chocolate?
It IS made from cocoa butter. The chips are a fabulous addition to a dark chocolate walnut brownie.
Your last name’s Chevalier. What’s that all about?
It’s pretty French. It means “knight”. Isn’t that awesome!? I think my future spouse should take MY last name.
I’ve noticed you’re quite the epicurean. What’s the most exotic dish you’ve recently concocted?
I love to make sushi maki rolls, which most people find interesting. They are so easy! Fresh tuna, ripe avocado, plenty of wasabi. Simple and delicious.
Fair to say that you really like scarves?
Haha. I love wearing scarves…in all types of weather. They are so cozy, and they make them for all seasons —even summer!
I enjoyed reading your thoughts about Italia. I have been there 15 times, -a few with Explorica. My wife will one day scatter my ashes in Rome. Thanks for helping me with my next tour (unfortunately not to Italia).