In her role as an Integrated Travel Specialist for ETI, Jane Tougouma, CSTP, has the opportunity to work with an amazing team to create memorable itineraries for student groups. From researching, experiencing, retaining knowledge and tailoring destination activities to meet each specific group leader's goals for their students, Tougouma is thankful for the honor. Take a moment to get to know Tougouma, who has recently joined the ETI team!
Share a bit about your position with ETI!
I get to build itineraries within a specific budget, utilize platforms to create efficiencies and most importantly, work to achieve incredible lifetime memories.
I work with various destination representatives to create a successful trip based on the most cutting edge and current information available, which means I will help customize for each group from small to huge! No group needs are the same. Creating partnerships, communicating and ensuring no detail is too small to plan an awesome trip for our groups is all part of my role.
What got you interested in travel initially and what makes you passionate today about student travel today?
Our family used to host international guests for soccer camps, missions, etc. I was very curious to learn more, then was excited to visit a friend who was briefly studying in London. Although I couldn’t afford to study abroad, I saved my money to visit her and wow, what a life-changing experience! She had a very kind educator who even allowed me to go to Stonehenge with the group. I got the bug and have traveled a lot, ever since.
My passion for student travel was further solidified when I worked for my local CVB to attract student groups to our destination. I did a lot of research and personally welcomed groups. It takes a special understanding and community to truly cater to this unique type of group. To see the students' excitement and life-changing experiences first-hand in my destination was a game changer. I have attended the Student & Youth Travel Association (SYTA) conference for years and continue to serve as a Board of Trustee volunteer for the SYTA Youth Foundation, with the goal of providing resources for all students to travel!
What are you most looking forward to about your new role with ETI?
I am really excited to work alongside this passionate team that really GETS student travel—from the really important details to the super fun aspects of the job, they have supported, with great care, this amazing industry and students of all types traveling, since their inception. I’ve come full circle as I used to partner with their team when I was with the CVB to plan student trips to my Lake Erie destination!
What’s your most treasured travel memory, or the best thing you’ve learned while traveling?
One of my most recent treasured memories is when my nieces did a university exchange program in Florence, Italy and I had the privilege of visiting them there. From the canal boat tour to the guided museum tours to walking the cobbled streets with gelato in hand (a nice reprieve from the heat!), it was really special to be included. I got to witness them build their confidence, become local experts and experience many differences in cultures, traditions, history and make new friends from all over the world. Oh, and the pasta! There is nothing like homemade pesto pasta in Italy.
If you were stranded in an airport, what three things would you want with you?
A loved one, ear buds and snacks. I really enjoy my time in airports—it’s a special place where people take off and land for so many reasons.
What’s one thing you would recommend every student group do while traveling?
Expect the unexpected. Pack your flexibility and patience and embrace every moment, even when things don't always go as planned. Sometimes those are the best memories!
What destination on your bucket list do you most want to visit?
New Zealand and Mauritius and … the list goes on and on.
What’s your favorite activity while traveling, or something you’ve always wanted to try?
So many favorites. Walking in the destination, taking in the sites and local community. And, boating. Even if it’s just a 30-minute sightseeing cruise, I love to be on water no matter where I am in the world. I recently discovered in Boston that you can take a ferry to the airport. It was the best airport ride of my life!
Courtesy of ETI.
