Everything Tom O’Grady does he does with commitment. In fact, it would seem that the Program Manager for Explorica Summer Academy has insatiable energy. And from running marathons—and 60-mile ultra-marathons—to running Summer Academy, Tom is busy. But having started at Explorica in October 2004 as a Program Consultant, helping teachers plan tours for their students, Tom’s hard work has paid off, resulting in an undeniable knack for organizing excellent student tours. Despite his busy schedule we caught up with Tom to ask him a few questions about his job, his travel experiences and his love for marathons and soccer.

You’re now a Summer Academy expert, but did you also travel as a student?
I went on a student trip the summer after I graduated from high school.  I traveled to England, France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Italy.  After that trip I was hooked on international travel.  That experience would later make me want to move to Italy, go back to grad school for a masters degree in Political Science, and eventually led me to what I’m doing today. It’s crazy that a 15 day trip 11 years ago could have such a huge impact on my life.

Do you speak any other languages?
Si, parlo Italiano.  I was fortunate enough to live in a small town in Italy called San Gimignano from September 2001 through August 2002, and I inevitably picked up the language. The fact that I speak Italian is very peculiar to Italians.  Because with a last name like O’Grady, most Italians don’t expect me to know their language let alone speak with a Tuscan accent.  I’ve traveled with Italian-American friends before and the Italians always look to them to respond, but then the pale Irish kid starts talking. The look of shock never gets old!

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
The Middle East. During graduate school I focused my studies on International Relations and, more specifically, on the Middle East. I’ve read extensively about the history, governments, and cultures of the Middle East, but until I’m actually there I’ll never be able to relate as fully to the things I’ve read.  The pictures I’ve seen of the region are breathtaking and I can’t wait for my first opportunity to take some of my own.

Have you been on tour with Explorica? Where did you go?
I have been on two Explorica trips.  In 2005, I was a chaperone on our Spanish Immersion program in Marbella, Spain.  I led a group of 16 students from all over the US and have some amazing memories of that summer.  Then in 2006, I led a group on our London to Madrid program.  It was 24 great days traveling all over Europe.  The best part of the trip was getting to re-visit a lot of the cities I visited while backpacking through Europe when I was younger.  I got to share some of my stories with the students and we got to make some stories of our own.  Helping students see Europe for the first time is definitely a rewarding experience, and one that I hope to do again and again.

Any memorable moments?
Without a doubt, my most memorable moment came in the summer of 2005.  Our group took a day excursion to Gibraltar which has a famous, or rather, infamous group of monkeys that call the rock home.  We were told that the monkeys were well trained thieves and to keep all of our belongings under close watch.  One of their favorite targets are plastic bags because they always associate them with food.  So when I paused to put new batteries in my camera and pulled the batteries out, a plastic bag that was in my backpack, was left sticking out.  Within seconds a monkey had seen the bag and went for it.  As he ripped at the bag, he also managed to rip my passport out as well.  If it wasn’t for a quick-thinking student, I would have had a very embarrassing story to explain when I returned to the office.

What tour do you most recommend?  
I think all the Summer Academy itineraries are outstanding but if I had to choose one, it would be South Africa Conservation Safari.  Of course, determining which program is best is really up to the individual, but if you’re looking for destination that will have a huge impact on you—that will give you a new perspective on the world—Africa is the place to go.  But many times students will go to Europe on their first trip and then do something a bit more challenging on their next trip. And any trip you choose will be eye-opening.

How can students best prepare for their tours?
One of the best pieces of advice I can give is to read up on the places you’ll be going.  It makes the learning process more fun if you have prior knowledge of the things you’ll be seeing.  Also, try to find event calendars for the cities you’ll be visiting—you never know what kind of cool event you might get to experience.  Maybe the Tour de France is passing through the city you’re in! 

Another hugely important travel tip is to PACK LIGHT!  One of the biggest mistakes my students make is bringing too much stuff.  Remember you have to carry it all yourself. By packing less, you save your back. And if you don’t have something you need, you can always buy it there.  So you’ll come home with a cool souvenir.  Some of the clothes I’ve purchased while abroad are my most prized possessions.

What are students and parents asking you about this month?
“Is it too late to sign up?”  The answer is no.  But our teen tours and language programs tend to fill up quickly as we get further into March and April, so don’t wait too long or you might miss out on the trip you want. 

They also ask about where our students typically come from. One of the best things about our groups is that they’re so diverse. In a group of thirty students we might have 16 different states and provinces represented.

What makes Explorica stand out from other study abroad programs? 
Our focus on education is second to none.  Our students are given the best itineraries, the best local guides, and the best chaperones.  And by staffing our programs with American and Canadian school teachers, we provide our students with travel-savvy chaperones. They’ve all been abroad with their own students so they’re prepared to help our Summer Academy students adjust to a life on the road and help them experience new things.  Many of our returning students say, “I didn’t even realize how much I was learning!” Which is just what we hope to hear.

What else would you want students and parents to know about Summer Academy? 
I want them to know how much fun it is.  We think we’ve reached a great balance between learning and fun.  We’ll give you all the information about the sites you are seeing and give you the best possible instruction at our language schools. But when it comes down to it, if you aren’t having fun, you’re not going to take full advantage of the trip.  So we’ve taken care of all of the details so all our students have to worry about is enjoying themselves.

 Outside of Explorica, what makes you tick?
My two passions are running and soccer. I now have a few marathons under my belt as well as 60-mile ultra-marathon in Florence, Italy. I’m actually in the midst of training for the Boston marathon right now, so wish me luck!  Also, while living in Italy I fell in love with soccer—a club team called Juventus to be specific. I’d always been a fan, but after a year in Italy it began to play a larger role in my life.  And now I’m addicted.  Last summer I fulfilled a life dream of going to the World Cup.  I spent three weeks traveling through Germany with my younger brother and a few friends.  It was a rough tournament for the U.S. but we’ll win one some day.