Meet the Team

Bex Gilchrist - Director

Countries visited:

Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Nepal, Singapore, Bangladesh, Japan, England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Guernsey, Netherlands, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Greece, Turkey, South Africa, Morocco, Canada, USA, Mexico.

Where Overseas Have You Lived & For How Long?

I have lived in Sapporo, Japan for 2 and a half years, London, England for 2 years, New York and Connecticut in the USA for 3 years and Vernon, Canada for a winter season.

Favourite places visited:

Japan was the first place I ever went and the culture and people were so different to NZ - incredible. Vietnam for the people and landscape. Morocco and Turkey for their exotic craziness. Greece ? the BEST place for a holiday. New York and Melbourne ? my 2 favourite cities.

Most memorable place visited:

Cambodia, Nepal and South Africa. With the environment some of their people have to survive in, they are AMAZING.

The most valuable lesson you've learnt from living and working overseas?

Different cultures, languages, attitudes, lifestyles and people are what make the world such an amazing place. The local people wherever you go will give you more insight into a place than any monument ever will. So go have a beer or a coffee with a local!

Ross Carrel - Business Manager

Countries visted:

USA, Canada, England, Scotland, Wales, Norway, Denmark, The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Greece, Thailand, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Indonesia, Australia, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji, Cook Islands, French Polynesia.

Where Overseas Have You Lived & For How Long?

Fiji for about three months to relieve the manager of a local tour operator.

Favourite places visited:

Any Northern Hemisphere ski resort with plenty of snow. Little villages with character all around Europe. The Greek Islands. Any South Pacific island with swaying coconut palms, blue sea and white sand.

Most memorable place visited:

Rangiroa in French Polynesia cruising for ten days on an 18 metre yacht.

The most valuable lesson you've learnt from living and working overseas?

There is a never ending list of places to visit but after each trip it’s great to return and appreciate all New Zealand has to offer.

Tim Chatfield - Program Coordinator (Summer Camp USA)

Countries visted:

USA, Canada, Japan, Australia.

Where Overseas Have You Lived & For How Long?

Australia (if that counts?) for 4 years.
USA, at Camp for 3-4 months at a time.

Favourite places visited:

Paradise and Glenorchy, at the top of Lake Wakatipu in Central Otago.
Bear Island, Lake Winnipesauke, NH, USA. At Summer Camp on an island on a lake.
Boston is by far my favourite city in the world with Las Vegas a close second.
The mangrove rivers where my family have huts and spend the weekends fishing with the crocodiles in North Queensland.

Most memorable place visited:

Camp Lawrence on Bear Island is by far the most important place to me. It's on a lake island in beautiful New Hampshire. Whether I’m hanging out with friends enjoying the tranquillity and views, or trying to entertain and manage a group of energetic campers, my time at camp is always at the forefront of my mind everywhere I go.

The most valuable lesson you've learnt from living and working overseas?

Don’t be afraid to get out there and experience everything on offer no matter what, then you won’t have any regrets later in life. Get out and mingle with the locals, they are what makes a place special!

Annette Holman - Program Coordinator

Countries visited:

South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Swaziland, Kenya, Ghana, Tunisia, Morocco, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, India, Maldives, Peru, USA, Canada, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Denmark, Spain, France, Belgium, Czech Republic, Italy, Holland, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Fiji

Where Overseas Have You Lived & For How Long?

Lived in South Africa for 3 months volunteering, Thailand for 6 weeks volunteering. Currently over in New Zealand on a working holiday for 12 months.

Favourite places visited:

Way too many! Every day of my 3 week overland trip from Cape Town to Victoria Falls in Southern Africa - an awesome sight and experience each day... canyons, sand dunes, animals, waterfalls, and camping under the most stars I’ve ever seen in my life!

Luang Prabang- Laos (admiring the laid back Buddhist culture of a place yet to be hit by mass tourism), Kruger National park- South Africa (seeing the big 5 of safari), Zion National park, USA (Hiking Angles landing), Machu Pitchu, Ankor Wat and the Taj Mahal (no explanation needed!)  

Most memorable place visited:

Sossusvlei - Namibia. Climbing the red sands of dune 45 for sunrise- Stunning!

The most valuable lesson you've learnt from living and working overseas?

Lauren Johnson - Program Coordinator

Countries Visited:

Australia, England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Andorra, Greece, Croatia, Slovenia, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Liechtenstein, Austria, Switzerland, Turkey, Egypt, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia

Where Overseas Have You Lived & For How Long?

London for 2 years and Australia for 10 months

Favourite places visited:

Oktoberfest in Munich in Germany (twice!), Croatia, Lake Bled in Slovenia, Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Dahab in Egypt and Thailand

Most memorable place visited:

Anzac Cove in Gallipoli, Turkey for the dawn service on Anzac Day. You feel an overwhelming sense of admiration and experiencing this with hundreds of other Kiwis was an amazing and humbling experience. 

The most valuable lesson you've learnt from living and working overseas?

That you need to make the most of your time and get out there and experience all that you can. Don’t just stick to Kiwi’s and Australians, you need to get amongst the locals and experience the true culture of the country, this is what travelling is all about! 

Michael McClanaghan - Communications & Web Coordinator

Countries visted:

Ireland, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, The Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, USA, Bahamas and New Zealand

Where Overseas Have You Lived & For How Long?

I am currently on my first working abroad experience in New Zealand. I plan to be here for one year and so far I am having an amazing time! Kiwis have to be the friendliest people I have ever met.

Favourite places visited:

I loved Barcelona - the food, nightlife and people were great! I spent a month in Switzerland riding my bike in the Swiss Alps. What an amazing playground for an outdoor enthusiast!

Most memorable place visited:

Ireland has a special place in my heart as I got to meet family I didn’t even know I had.

The most valuable lesson you've learnt from living and working overseas?

Never say no to an offer when travelling - you never know where it may lead! Loose the travel guide book, get off the beaten track and explore on your own!

Amy Pearce - Sales & Marketing Coordinator

Countries visted:

Solomon Islands, Australia, Fiji, Peru, Chile, Bolivia, Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico, USA, Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, South Africa, Zambia, Singapore, Samoa and Cambodia.

Where Overseas Have You Lived & For How Long?

I was actually born and raised in the Solomon Islands for 6 years before my family returned to New Zealand. More recently I lived in London for 16 months.

Favourite places visited:

South America as a whole is such a beautiful continent. Rome has so much history. The Jungfrau mountains in Switzerland are so picturesque.

Most memorable place visited:

Taking the trek up to Machu Picchu in Peru was a journey I will never forget.

The most valuable lesson you've learnt from living and working overseas?

Just be ready for anything! Don’t have any expectations and try to embrace the culture and customs of the place that you are in.

Katrina Savage - In-house STA Branch Manager

Countries visted:

Cambodia, Canada, Vietnam, Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, USA, Egypt, Scotland, England, Ireland, Italy, Monaco, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belguim, Liechtenstein.

Where Overseas Have You Lived & For How Long?

London for 8 months.

Favourite places visited:

Vietnam, Egypt, San Francisco, New York, Las Vegas.

Most memorable place visited:

Riding donkeys at daybreak up into the “Valley of the Kings” in Egypt.

The most valuable lesson you've learnt from living and working overseas?

How wonderful it is to travel and experience new places, cultures and people. It is really did broaden my horizons.