The Coolest Travel Intern Job with G.A.P Adventures

G.A.P Adventures, the worldwide adventure tour company, is running a contest for what they call "The Coolest Travel Intern Job." That's a bold statement, as most people think of an intern as a glorified coffee runner. After reading the job description, which includes assisting the founder and C.E.O. Bruce Poon Tip, it really does sound like the coolest job out there. Today is the last day to apply, and I figured that a seasoned Globe Stomper such as myself would be a perfect candidate for the position (thank you Jodi from Legal Nomads for the encouragement). Here's my pitch on why I would make the coolest travel intern.

I've known about G.A.P Adventures for a while now. I grew up in Toronto, Canada, where the company is headquartered, and remember hearing about their trips through the student travel agency at McGill University, where I studied anthropology. I'd like to say that my study of anthropology is where I first learned about the cultural world, but I actually owe this honor to my family, who have been carting me around on trips since I was a baby. I guess this is why I was never hesitant to study abroad in the Middle East, or volunteer with an NGO in Nepal. When I was backpacking around Peru in the fall of 2005, I met a G.A.P Adventures group at Machu Picchu, and spoke to a young girl in her twenties, who had just spent almost two weeks touring around several countries in the area, and finished with a trek of the Inca Trail. She was enthusiastic about the intense, but memorable two weeks on the road, with a group of new friends who became a surrogate family. I've since forgotten the woman's name as it was several years ago, and I've met so many people while traveling around the world, but I'll never forget her enthusiasm for the G.A.P trip.



Some readers of Globe Stompers have known me for a long time, but for the new fans out there, here is a little background on my life and love of adventure travel. I've always been motivated to get out of the city wherever I was living, and spend time doing some outdoor activities. I previously worked in the fashion industry in New York City, and was lucky enough to manage a footwear start up, and spearhead a new sales division with a major clothing manufacturer. The work was rewarding and I loved the challenge of growing a business, but I could see my life unfolding in front of my eyes. I would soon move up the corporate ladder, get a house in the suburbs, and sell more clothes to people who didn't really need them. One day I would wake up and realize that I let the best years of my life pass me by, and I wasn't ready for that.



I decided that it was the best time in my life to take a break from work, travel to all those countries around the world that you couldn't visit on a week's vacation, and find out once and for all if the toilet water of the Southern hemisphere actually spins in the opposite direction? I've been traveling for almost two years now, and have been fortunate enough to visit forty or so countries in five continents. If it wasn't for travel I would have never learned Spanish in South America, surfed in Australia, or become a divemaster in Thailand.



I truly believe the best way to help local economies and bridge the cultural divide, is to get out and travel. Too many people are afraid of international travel because of a possible language barrier, and being out of their comfort zone. I say, these are the experiences that you will remember for the rest of your life. My most memorable stories from abroad are usually a result of some mishap that was unplanned, and a pain the butt at the time. If we're ever going to be global citizens, tolerating and appreciating our cultural differences, then we need to interact with people from different backgrounds and countries.

This is why I would love to get involved with an agency such as GAP Adventures. Their goal is to send people on one of a kind adventure trips, that involve interaction with local communities, and who practice sustainable tourism, to make sure that we leave a smaller footprint when we're done.

My first job in New York was in sales and marketing for the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE). I would spend my days traveling to universities and colleges, speaking with students about the benefits of studying or working abroad, and promoting the programs that CIEE offered. I love sharing my excitement for traveling, and this is why I've been dedicated to Globe Stompers, so I can continue to write stories with tips for other backpackers.

Bruce, you've probably received about 42,678 applications for this position (I've always been bad about guessing the number of jellybeans in a jar, and liked the sound of this number), but if you do give me a shot, I promise that I would handle every task as a professional, and with enthusiasm, even getting dressed up as Ace Frehley, and rocking some air guitar for the company Halloween party.