Five years ago I decided to pursue this career as an international tour leader based on my strengths and interests. I love people, I love traveling, I love adventure. I love exploration, I love learning and I love cultural exchange. I decided this was my travel dream job.
Now, I take about ten trips a year internationally to different countries like Cuba, Ecuador, Vietnam and Bhutan. It has been an incredible job thus far that has allowed me to see the world, learn a wide variety of skills and meet amazing people.
But guess what?
It’s still a job.
We all need to make money to survive. I’m amazed when I tell people what I do for a living, and they say, “Wow, you have my travel dream job.” I’m flattered that you think I have a cool gig, but I have news for you; it’s not all roses all the time.
As an international tour leader, sure, I get paid to travel, but not exactly. I get paid to to make the trip the best possible experience for my guests. If they are shoppers, I find them obscure boutiques hidden away in alleyways. If they are foodies, I find them the most authentic restaurants possible. If they want cultural exchange, I search for meaningful experiences that will turn their trip from good to unforgettable. More often than not, having these interactions means talking to strangers and inviting myself (and consequently my guests) into peoples’ homes and lives on a fairly regular basis. It’s fantastic but exhausting.
If I was simply being paid to travel, I would only have to worry about myself. Not the case as a tour leader. People yell at you. People ask for ridiculous things. People get sick. People lose their passports. People get hit by motorbikes. Things happen while traveling and dealing with the consequences falls on my shoulders. And there’s no blueprint as to how to react. I’ve had enough of these situations happen now that honestly, it takes a lot to surprise me. That being said, every day on a trip is a new opportunity :).
Having this job makes it hard to keep in touch with friends, to have a boyfriend and to develop my community. I’m constantly on the go. I spend a ridiculous time in airports, in planes, in transit. I feel like I’m perpetually waiting. I’ve learned to utilize the time, but still, this is time I could be using in ways that are important to me.
Wake up folks, there is no dream job. Every job will have parts you love and parts you wish you could skip. What’s important to me in a job is I have passion for my work, I am inspired by those that I meet, and I believe it’s meaningful work. (Yes, I’m admitting I’m a Millenial with this statement.)
As with any career, I’ve worked hard to develop my skills to succeed as a tour leader. I’m happy to share tips with anyone interested in getting involved in this field. On tour I never look at my watch and wish time would go by faster. Once this happens I’ll know it’s time to move on. But for now, I wouldn’t trade my job for any other 9-5 out there.
Adventure On,
Joslin