ABOUT
ACADEMIC GUIDES
HARRY MITSIDIS
Harry graduated from Oxford University and completed 3 masters degrees.
He visited all 193 UN nations by age 36 and founded thebesttravelled.com, a community of over 13,000 avid travellers, and a database of record holders. His passion lies in the future of travel-education.
Harry can either speak and/or read in 14 different languages.
MIGUEL ANGEL AVILES-GALAN
Miguel graduated with a MA in Hispanic Studies and a Ph.D. in Latin American History. In 2002 he got his BA in Hispanic Language and Literature. He worked for UNESCO as a Senior Education Advisor. During his time there, he lived in Spain and he travelled extensively through Europe and Latin America.
Miguel is passionate about education. He has experience in designing courses and lectures for both traditional classes and online studies. He is a nature lover and skilled horseback rider.
ANTHONY HUNT
Anthony is a former editor for Oxford University Press. He has a Masters in Education specializing in adult education and a developer of remote-learning content. Anthony has visited or lived in 42 countries, sometimes as a tourist, and other times as a traveler seeking to understand more of the language and culture of the many peoples of the world. ‘The world needs more global citizens!’
MELINA MERINO-NIEVES
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Melina completed a Humanities summer program at Cornell University, has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Boston University with a minor in Art History, and obtained a Juris Doctor degree from New England Law.
She has taught students from more than 30 different countries. Having studied abroad in Europe and traveled to over a dozen countries, Melina highly values the cross-cultural approach to learning.
TRAVEL GUIDES
CHRIS & HANNA MAGES - MASTER GUIDES
Chris & Hanna are avid travellers. Together, they decided to take a break from their finance jobs in London and visited 21 different countries across Central and South America. They now own their dream hotel / horse ranch in the mountains of Slovenia.
PHIL HENSEN - MASTER GUIDE
For the past 5 years, Phil has led over 500 young travellers across five continents working for LBW Travel. He got a taste of adventure at age 21 on a trip to Thailand, and hasn't looked back ever since. “Travel is about living for the moment, turning strangers into friends, educating your body, mind and spirit, while creating everlasting memories. The only thing we don’t get back in this world is precious time, so we better make the most of it!”
MADELEINE RAMOS - CO-ORDINATOR
Maddie is the former Relations Manager of the International Youth Council at the United Nations. Her passions for youth activism, sustainable development, and global citizenship. She wants to pursue a fulfilled life of travel, education, and service to humanity.
MARITA WIERDAL - CO-ORDINATOR
Marita is and avid wanderluster the previous host of a travel show on Norwegian television. She is oozing with positive energy and excitement for life.
PHILIPPÉ TORRES - CO-ORDINATOR
Philippé is originally from Switzerland, but he's always hopping around the world. He has visited 94 countries and can speak 8 languages.
TAMSIN KHOR - CO-ORDINATOR
Tamsin is passionate about sharing experiences and inspiring others. She spent the last 3 years working as a tour guide in Europe and has visited 55 countries so far.
Prior to that she has worked as a lawyer, tutor, human rights educator, and has even performed in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
"Travel opens your mind and broadens your horizons. There's always something new to learn, and you'll usually discover it in the most unlikely places."
STEPHANIE BROWN - CO-ORDINATOR
Stephanie is extremely passionate about abroad education having completed a large part of her degree while traveling.
With experience in group trip dynamics and travel logistics at the corporate level, Stephanie believes that travel enriches our experiences and teaches us more than we could ever hope to learn in a classroom or behind a desk.
MIGUEL ADAMES - CO-ORDINATOR
Miguel is a former Project Leader of City Year, an education based non-profit. He completed a MA in Management from WFU and earned a BS in International Studies from RIT.
Miguel has conducted energy efficiency research in Kosovo on three occasions with CENR and has traveled to 20 countries.
“I feel freest and most at peace when wandering the world, breaking bread with strangers, educating minds, and appreciating the small things in life."
JASMIN PARMAR - CO-ORDINATOR
Jasmin has a travel addiction. She traveling over 25
countries across five continents and not stopping anytime soon.
She believes travel pushes your limits, creates endless experiences and reveals your truest self.
"Life is short, do not limit education to books when the world could become your classroom."
CRISTINA TOSCAN - CO-ORDINATOR
Cristina begun travelling upon the completion of her Marketing and Communication degree trying to understand what her path was, and discovering that travelling itself was the answer.
In fact, despite her Italian passport, she is a world citizen; having travelled to almost 40 countries, a number which is set to only rise. Travel planning is her addiction and she has been tutoring students since her first year of university, in addition to managing AIESEC incoming volunteers in her hometown.
Cristina firmly believes that travel can further educational outcomes.
JAYCEE RE - CO-ORDINATOR
Jaycee got his Business degree in 2013 and has visited 19 countries. In Central and South America he worked in 6 countries over a period of the last three years.
Jaycee is a firm believer that there’s no better way of learning than through exposure through world travel. Traveling has given Jaycee experiences he’ll always remember; experiences that will forever give him a very different perspective of “oneness” with the world community.
VICTORIA SCRIMA - CO-ORDINATOR
Following a 13-nation international business study program, travel education gave Victoria a passion for exploration and courage to boldly travel across the world, including several solo adventures and volunteer trips.
Now having over 25 countries and five continents of international experience, she is inspired to help others also find a love for the world, service and culture.
With an advertising agency background, Victoria brings experience supporting national brands as well as a degree in Marketing with a minor in Public Relations.
EMILY LINDY - CO-ORDINATOR
Emily recently earned her masters in Global Public Health with a focus on women’s empowerment.
She believes traveling educates you on humanity’s greatest source of confusion but the world’s vessel for peace; oneself.
Want to join the team?
We're now accepting applications to work for the Academy.