Global Experiences Team

Stephen Reilly is a Director and Program Development Coordinator for Global Experiences. Having lived everywhere from Hong Kong to Sweden to Australia, Stephen has had many great Global Experiences. As a Fulbright Scholar in Sweden in 1998-1999, Stephen earned his Master's Degree in International Relations graduating with high honors. He has taught English in China, backpacked throughout Asia, Australia and Europe, and even trekked across Mongolia and Siberia via the Transsiberian Railway. Stephen's extensive global academic, travel, and professional experience brings invaluable guidance and insight to the program structure and the organization as a whole.

Emily Merson is a Director for Global Experiences. Hailing from Sydney, Australia, Emily traveled the world extensively. Emily earned her Bachelor's degree from the University of New South Wales in Australia as well as her Master's Degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from Uppsala University in Sweden. She completed her international internship with the United Nations in Jakarta, Indonesia in 1998 and went on to travel extensively throughout Europe and Australasia. Emily's experiences provide Global Experiences an invaluable depth of academic and culture insight. Having recently returned from 3 years in her native Australia, she currently lives in Arnold, Maryland USA with her husband and 3 children.

Jessica Burns is our General Manager responsible for all day to day operations, global partnerships and program management. After graduating from the University of Maryland at College Park, Jessica spent time living in Barcelona, Spain where she studied Spanish and became an avid soccer fan. While living in Spain she developed life-long friendships and traveled to many European cities. Originally from Maryland, Jessica enjoys spending time with her family and friends, being outside and is very excited to take out her new kayak! She currently lives in Annapolis, Maryland, USA.

Jon Peterson is the Director of Institutional and Strategic Partnerships at Global Experiences. As a Penn State (go Lions!) exchange student, he attended the University of Manchester (UK) during his senior year and extensively traveled England, Ireland, and much of Europe. After earning his Masters degree at the University of Alabama, Jon went on to teach broadcasting and new media at Penn State, Cal State San Bernardino, Towson University, and The University of The Virgin Islands. He has also worked for radio stations in Los Angeles, Nashville, and Columbus, and as a recruiter of international (Arabic) linguists. He currently lives in Annapolis, MD with his wife Terri and cat Raul.

Whitney Schaefer is Global Experiences Social Representative for our programs in Florence, Italy. She has studied and worked in Journalism, Textile and Apparel Management, Acting and Teaching English as a Second Language. Born in the U.S., what started as a European vacation turned into a cross-country move from Los Angeles to Florence. After discovering for herself just how much international experience has to offer, her biggest passion is helping others create their own adventure abroad. She is currently obsessed with exploring the world (14 countries and counting), yoga, starting a blog, speaking Italian, eating all the gelato in Italy, writing her first book and desperately trying to take enough pictures to remember it all

Lisa Gilbert brings a wealth of experience to the team as an Internship Program Consultant for Global Experiences. While a student at Denison University, she studied theatre performance in London, and worked in theatre management on Broadway. Since then, Lisa has worked as an actress, artist, sales director and fitness instructor; owned her own business; and traveled to 39 countries outside the United States. An ideal trip would include history, culture, art, photography, relaxing and good food. Her four children, including triplets, have studied in Italy, backpacked throughout South America, taught English in the Czech Republic, and performed internationally. Lisa lives on the Chesapeake Bay and enjoys gardening, kayaking, figure skating, travel and the arts.

Margaux Nissen Gray is the Global Experiences onsite representative for our programs in Sydney, Australia. Born and raised in South Africa, Margaux has lived in London, Sydney and Dublin and has traveled the world extensively though Africa, Asia, Europe, the United States and Australia. She is married to a Scotsman and mother to a very cosmopolitan 2 year old who has traveled to 8 countries in his short life. Margaux is a Journalism and Drama graduate with a passion for theatre, art, music and, of course, traveling. Previous work experience includes working as a Celebrity Agent, a Drama Teacher, Advertising Sales and many, many years of waitressing! Happily settled in Sydney, Margaux is delighted to have the opportunity to meet young people embarking on their exciting adventures in her adopted home country.

Tony Glass heads the TEFL program here at Global Experiences. He is a native Annapolitan and brings his Honors Psychology degree, diverse work experience, and youthful vigor to the table while helping students get overseas. Tony has lived in many different areas of the United States, and the experience he has gathered from traveling and working in varying areas is a great asset to those who are trying to move themselves to another country and fashion their own brighter future! When he isn't helping you expand your international resume, Tony can be found throwing the Frisbee in the sunshine with his puppy!

Amy Shaffer is the Career Development Director for Global Experiences, working with employers worldwide. With a professional background in higher education and leadership, she worked as an administrator and taught English, Psychology, and Leadership courses. She has traveled throughout the Caribbean and spent time studying the Mayan Civilization in Mexico while in graduate school at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Her passion is working with college students and graduates, helping them take their careers to the next level. In her spare time she enjoys being outdoors, running, kayaking, and playing with her two dogs. This fall she'll be competing in her first triathlon.

Mili Thaker is the onsite representative for our internship programs in New York City. Born in the United Kingdom, she brings with her an abundance of international experience, including living and studying in Paris, Rome and Nairobi. Mili is a Public Relations graduate from Boston University and has a keen interest in learning languages. She worked for the Intelligence, Diplomacy and National Security sector for Lead America in Washington, DC before travelling around the world for six months to learn about the differences in educational standards in various countries. In her spare time, Mili enjoys playing kickball, soccer and softball for various teams in Manhattan as well as continuing her studies in romance languages.

Vanessa Viara is a Social Representative for Global Experiences in Milan. Vanessa was born in Honduras, graduated from university in Boston, USA and currently lives in Italy's fashion capital. She loves to travel, discover new places and meet new people. So whenever she gets the chance, she's off to explore new horizons. Vanessa has been in Italy for the past three years and simply adores it, from its culture, its art, its people and of course the food. Vanessa is here to help to welcome you to all that Milan has to offer you.

Kevin Pickett is an internship consultant from the North Shore Area of Massachusetts. Kevin has had international ties since birth, with his grandparents living in the countryside of Northern Ireland and his Aunt and Uncle residing in Oxford, England. Experienced in global travel since his childhood, it only seemed natural for him to study abroad during his junior year of college in Buenos Aires and Barcelona. Having graduated and returned home to the states, Kevin is all about helping our interns travel the globe and having a similar and unforgettable experience as he once did!

Chrissie Dailey is an Internship Program Consultant for Global Experiences. While studying Marketing at the University of Maryland at College Park, Chrissie completed a semester abroad in Rome, Italy where she fell in love with the history, the people and the charm of Europe. She has stood on top of the Swiss Alps, tasted the paella in Barcelona, bicycled through the narrow streets of Amsterdam, and basked in the sun of the French Riviera. After graduation, Chrissie lived and worked as an on-site representative for a travel company in Mexico. She continued to gain valuable work experience as a wedding consultant in Colorado before returning to Annapolis, MD to be closer to her family, friends and brand new nephew! Chrissie is anticipating the arrival of her new puppy and is always dreaming of the next big trip!

Emily Oliver is an Internship Program Consultant for Global Experiences. Having grown up on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Emily felt destined to travel and explore new places. After graduating from Wake Forest University in North Carolina, she worked in entertainment, sales, and special events on cruise ships. The exotic locales she can check off her list include: Hawaii, Alaska, Bermuda, Italy, Switzerland, Australia, Argentina, England, Venezuela, Aruba, Mexico, and almost all islands in the Caribbean! Finally off the high seas and on land, Emily married a fabulous British guy and they now live in Annapolis, Maryland.

Jodi Freitag is a our Enrollment Specialist. Jodi received her BA in management from Baltimore International College. She also received her TEFL International certification in Manual Antonio, Costa Rica. She grew up in Italy and has traveled the world. She is passionate about other cultures and loves to travel. When she not enrolling our internship participants, she is planning her next adventure, baking, reading, or enjoying the outdoors.

Alex Paisner is an Internship Program Consultant for Global Experiences. He brings his own experience as an alumnus of GE’s Dublin program to the team, as well as experience from his travels throughout Australia, Italy, Ireland, and the UK. He has joined the Global Experiences team to help introduce students to the same great opportunity he had as a program participant. A graduate of the George Washington University in Washington DC, Alex has a degree in Business Administration, and is the contact person for GE’s Washington DC and Dublin Programs. Away from the office Alex can be found on the water, where his passion is sailing.

Sasha Stoddard is Global Experiences onsite representative for our programs in London, England. Sasha is primarily responsible for program support and internship oversight for participants in our London Internship programs. Also a former GE participant, Sasha brings a unique perspective to the "student experience" while helping participants immerse themselves into the London scene. She grew up in the southern USA and recently married an Englishman with whom she has settled into a great life in London.