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 Sarah Vessenes. Here’s some of our favorite excerpts from our recent interview with her:
Where did you grow up?
You would never guess it, but this woman of the world is from Minnesota! That’s right, the land of -50 (Fahrenheit) days where school buses wouldn’t start and the indoor malls stretch for miles. I even had the blessed opportunity to work at the Mall of America in High School!
Where did you go to college?
Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL (Not to be confused with the one in MA). A choice I thought would suit me – small, liberal arts college, near but not in a major city.
While I enjoyed my Wheaton experience, my best year was the one in which I studied abroad at the University of Bristol, in Bristol England.
Where have you traveled?
Oh, I’ve been around:
Costa Rica, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, England, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Holland, Czech Republic, Monaco, France, Austria, Liechtenstein, Denmark, Sweden, Wales…and Scotland
Which Explorica tours have you taken?
- Italy France and Spain
- Germany Switzerland Austria
- Madrid and Andalusia with Portugal Extension
- Costa Rica
Favorite band, movie, and/or book…
It was so good, I started rationing myself so that it wouldn’t end.
If you could live anywhere else in the entire world, where would that be and why?
I would move back to England in a heart beat. I didn’t want to leave the first time!
I would also love a stint in France before I die. I actually had an opportunity to do so but passed on it and then found Explorica–which is the next best thing to working abroad.
What do you like to do when you’re not helping teachers plan fantastic tours?
I like being in my new apartment.
My husband and I moved to this spectacular brownstone with private roof access and view of the city. I can’t get enough of being at home with Michael and the dog!
Is white chocolate really chocolate?
Does anyone say yes to this? NO, of course it’s not.
Coke or Pepsi?
Neither. I don’t like pop (as a Minnesotan would say). Water, coffee, or red wine please.
Why don’t you have a Minnesota accent?
We’re not natives (aka Scandinavian) which made for immense teasing in school. My dad is Greek and was raised in Chicago, and my mother is from Colorado. Minnesota is just where they ended up.
I don’t think a day goes by where they don’t complain that they have to live in Minnesota, but the funny thing is they moved once when I was in college and then moved back six months later.
Go figure.
What’s your favorite thing about your new dog?
He’s out of proportion – he has a big head, long body, and big paws. A true puppy figure even though he’s full grown. That and his face is irresistible. He also has a fetish with sticks. He can’t go on a walk without picking up one twice as long as his body and carrying it around. I could go on and on, but I will stop here with my top three.
Why are you smiling?
Because I just discovered The Fuzzy Bunny!
Love Sarah, truly great person to work with-very persuasive! Love the dog by the way!