Plan To Get Paid To Work Abroad? You Need To Know Jodi

At GeoVisions, when we place you in a job where you will get paid to work abroad, we don’t party or drink champagne.  (We do that so many times a day we'd be a bit tipsy.)  But this week we do have a great reason to celebrate.  On Monday, Jodi Standrowicz celebrated her fourth anniversary with GeoVisions.  So here’s a surprise blog dedicated to Jodi from her co-workers, partners and GeoVisions participants from around the world.

Jodi, who heads up our Operations Department, also works on our Enrollment Team placing participants in exciting opportunities to get paid to work abroad-- from teaching English abroad in Thailand or Jordan, to being an Au Pair in Australia or New Zealand.

"Simply put- she’s amazing."  GeoVisions’ Executive Director, Randy LeGrant says, “I always want a team of people truly vested in our mission.  Jodi takes it a step further, because she’s vested in each participant.”

“She really wants the best for everyone and truly believes in GeoVisions’ ‘vision’ of placing people in fantastic locations for a lifelong experience,” adds Kirsty Wohl, who recently joined GeoVisions, and appreciates Jodi’s “nurturing and patient” personality.

Ellen Carson is one of our Operations Coordinators and describes Jodi as thoughtful, devoted and hilarious—but above all, caring.  “Jodi wants everyone she interacts with to have the best experience possible, from the first telephone call to when they return from their trip,” she says.

However, it’s not only the staff at GeoVisions that love Jodi.  So do our participants.  We receive dozens of surveys each month from participants abroad and they all say the same thing - “Jodi’s great to work with.”  “Jodi is so supportive.”  “Jodi is always available when I need an answer.”

Last year, Jodi helped find Caitlin Biesma, from Ontario, an opportunity to work abroad and get paid in Australia ... as an Au Pair.

She says she enjoys working with Jodi because, “she genuinely cares about making sure I'm safe, and how much she loves hearing about my experiences,” which have included visiting the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory and holding a Koala Bear.

Michael Volpe, of XploreAsia, which partners with GeoVisions in Thailand, says what makes Jodi so special is her ability to empathize with people.  “When you speak to her, you really get the feeling that she cares. That is really important in this industry," he adds.

Honest, sincere and invested.  That’s how Rebecca LeGrant, our Program Director, describes Jodi.  “She truly makes each participant feel like they are the only person she is working with,” she says.  “I often say that someone talking to Jodi probably feels like they are sitting in a bar hanging out with her.”

On the subject of bars, rumor has it that Jodi makes mean Margaritas on Fridays.  In fact, fellow Enrollment Team member, Ann Sherer boasts, “I love working with Jodi because she makes fantastic beverages and loves lunch- as do I!” 

Some of the GeoVisions staff. From left, Lisa, Carrie, Ann, Jodi, Ellen and Randy.

Of course we couldn’t end this blog without hearing from Jodi herself.  So in a sneaky roundabout way we asked her why she loves working at GeoVisions.  Her response, like her, is wonderful.  She says, “What I love most about my job is I get to play a very small role in helping someone make their dream to immerse themselves in another culture, travel and meet new people a reality.   They grow and learn so much about the world and themselves.  They challenge themselves to go outside their comfort zones and come out stronger.”  And adds, “I also work with wonderful partners abroad.  These are interesting relationships because we share an intimacy even though we have not necessarily met in person.  Our programs are what bonds us.  Oh, and I work with great people in the office!  This is great fortune.”

And vice versa - we think you are also great to work with, Jodi.  Here’s to many more amazing years with GeoVisions!

[person name="Jodi Standrowicz " title="" picture="" pic_link="" linktarget="_self" pic_style="none" pic_style_color="" pic_bordersize="0" pic_bordercolor="" social_icon_boxed="" social_icon_boxed_radius="4px" social_icon_colors="" social_icon_boxed_colors="" social_icon_tooltip="" email="jodi@geovisions.org" facebook="" twitter="" instagram="" dribbble="" google="" linkedin="" blogger="" tumblr="" reddit="" yahoo="" deviantart="" vimeo="" youtube="" rss="" pinterest="" digg="" flickr="" forrst="" myspace="" skype="" paypal="" dropbox="" soundcloud="" vk="" class="" id=""]Jodi is a wife and a mother of 2 boys who lives is Guilford, CT. In her spare time she likes to train in the martial arts. Jodi is a member of the ITF TaeKwonDo Federation and is a 2nd Degree Black Belt. [/person]