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A blog that looks behind the scenes at how we bring our mission to life, every day

Lauren Shiraka ‹ We are EF

When Johan finished university, he wasn’t looking for a job. He was searching for a way to express his vision for a better world. Growing up in Sweden, he spent the majority of his life training as an opera singer. Earning a business degree was always his backup plan—that is, until a semester abroad in Syria changed everything.
“I went to study Arabic,” says Johan. “Every time I asked a question, my teachers ignored me. Eventually, I realized asking questions and fostering critical thinking was not emphasized in the education system there. Learning was about receiving and internalizing knowledge without asking why. It made me aware that education isn’t equal for all. Ever since it’s been my mission to change this.”
From then on, Johan has worked to help transform education on six continents. After joining <a href="https://www.ef.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EF Education First</a> as a <a href="https://careers.ef.com/categories/recent-graduates-and-internships/360/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">360 Global Management Trainee</a> he’s translated his entrepreneurial spirit and passion for youth empowerment into innovative initiatives. Over the years, he’s taken on roles ranging from Director of Strategic Alliances for the <a href="https://www.hultprize.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hult Prize</a>—named ‘One of the Top 5 Ideas Changing the World’ by TIME Magazine—to Senior Manager of Product Development and Operations for <a href="https://efgapyear.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EF Gap Year</a>. During that time, he’s launched <a href="https://www.hult.edu/en/undergraduate/pre-university-summer-school/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">summer programs</a> for young people interested in global business, run incubators for budding social entrepreneurs, and developed a <a href="https://efgapyear.com/program-guide/internship/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">global internship program</a> and <a href="https://efgapyear.com/program-guide/leadership-academy/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">leadership academy</a> for American gap year students, aimed at helping them build 21st-century skills in 11 cities on three continents.
His latest challenge? Partnering with teams across EF to define a new standard for competence fit for today’s global world—<a href="https://www.ef-wq.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">World Quotient, or WQ.</a> According to Johan and his EF colleagues, WQ is the factor that will set leaders apart from the rest in a rapidly changing world.
What is WQ exactly, and how can we cultivate it? Johan gives us tips and shares insights from his career at EF.
<h2>What is WQ?</h2>
In today’s interconnected world, leaders are not defined by IQ (intelligence quotient, i.e., how “smart” they are) or EQ (emotional quotient, i.e., how well they can build relationships). To get ahead in the age of the fourth industrial revolution, leaders need to become more human by developing WQ. WQ reflects the ability to understand the world and the people in it, regardless of cultures, borders, or beliefs. WQ is about the skills, knowledge, values, and attitudes that make someone an open, empathetic, adaptable, and culturally fluent human being. Building strong WQ requires stepping outside of your comfort zone, moving abroad, and immersing yourself in a different environment.
<h2>Where did the idea for WQ come from?</h2>
At EF, we’re in hundreds of countries meeting thousands of young people every day, making it possible for us to spot trends early on. Right now—more so than ever before—young people have an urge to get out into the world. And they don’t just want to vacation. They want to connect deeply with other cultures and learn how to collaborate with people who are different from them because they understand these skills will make a difference in the future. We realized there was an opportunity to lead this movement and to give it a space and a voice.
<h2>How do you measure WQ?</h2>
Building on Harvard and EF research, as well as insights from the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) and the Council of Europe’s current definition of global competency, we’ve identified four key areas that form the WQ framework:
<ul>
<li>Knowledge (intercultural understanding and knowledge of global and intercultural issues)</li>
<li>Skills (ability to see conflicting perspectives, empathy, and adaptability)</li>
<li>Attitudes (openness, interest in learning about other cultures, and the belief that you can make a difference)</li>
<li>Values (awareness and appreciation of the interconnectedness of all peoples, and the ability to think about what’s good for the global community)</li>
</ul>
This is what we think is important right now. Our mission is to help young people adopt this way of thinking, starting with <a href="https://www.wqsummit.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EF’s WQ Summit in Stockholm</a>, a global initiative connecting thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and future change-makers from around the world to discuss how we can build these skills and make a positive impact on the world.
<h2>What will happen at the WQ Summit?</h2>
For one day, we’ll bring together 20 global speakers from different industries who share a strong WQ, 300 university students, and thousands of live viewers to discuss how we can better understand each other and how we can work together to create the world we want to live in. Our goal is for everyone to leave the summit with the knowledge they need to drive change and take action.
<h2>Has working at EF increased your WQ?</h2>
Absolutely. My career at EF has opened my mind to the world and given me a global network, both inside and outside of work. I lived abroad for a few years before starting here, but my career at EF has taken me around the world, allowing me to interact with local people and learn from them, continuously building my WQ and expanding my horizons.
<h2>What’s the best part of your job?</h2>
I have the freedom to create groundbreaking programs from scratch, launch them globally, and watch students grow through those programs. I love traveling, meeting new people, and spotting global trends and harnessing them to impact the world. Ultimately, I know I’m helping people become the best version of themselves.
<a href="https://www.ef-wq.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Learn more about WQ</a> and discover how you can boost yours at EF.

Meet Johan. He's partnering with teams across EF Education First to define a new standard for competence fit for today's global world—World Quotient, or WQ.

This global leader wants to know: What’s your WQ? - We are EF

This global leader wants to know: What’s your WQ? ‹ We are EF

This global leader wants to know: What’s your WQ?

This global leader wants to know whats your wq

Mike has lived many lives. He’s been a foreign exchange student in Spain. A successful wine consultant (ask him to recommend a good red). A 20-something who moved to Italy on a whim. A communications technology guru. And most recently, a cancer survivor and fitness evangelist.
For <a href="https://www.ef.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EF Education First</a>’s Communications System Manager and EF Sweat Lab Fitness Instructor, the road to health was a challenging one, with lots of twists and turns along the way. Mike’s journey started four years ago, when his EF colleagues announced a Biggest Loser-style weight loss challenge. Always down for some friendly competition, Mike decided this was the jump-start he needed to make a change.
“I’ve always had an addiction to food, and for the longest time it was a very unhealthy addiction,” recalls Mike, a Bentley University marketing graduate and world traveler who joined EF’s North American headquarters after living for a bit in Europe. “It was January 2014 when I heard about the contest. I was close to 325 pounds, and I was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I knew that I couldn’t keep heading in the direction I was going.”
A few small lifestyle changes added up to big results for Mike. Ten-minute walk breaks around EF’s surrounding North Point Park became routine. Pre-cooked healthy dinners squashed the need for takeout. And vegetables gradually replaced some of his favorite junk foods. After losing 70 pounds, he earned the title of EF’s “Biggest Loser.” But his story didn’t end there.
“Over the course of four years, I’ve lost close to 140 pounds and reversed my diabetes,” says Mike. “I even teach my own workout class. It’s something I’m very proud of accomplishing, and I couldn’t have done it without friends at EF who’ve helped along the way.”
Today, the health enthusiast is widely known around EF as the face of “Mike Drop,” a weekly 40-minute high intensity class for staff. “Mike Drop” is part of a new roster of classes offered to EF employees through the recently established EF Sweat Lab—a free fitness studio housed on EF’s campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
EF Sweat Lab grew out of a grassroots fitness community established by EF’s Boston employees. Mike recalls the days when a group of around 25 EFers would meet in North Point Park to work out together. Attendees even pitched in to purchase shared battle ropes. With support from this internal community, Mike’s interest in fitness blossomed. He joined a gym, began attending classes, and when EF Sweat Lab opened, he began attending every class. Mike eventually became a permanent substitute teacher, and when another fitness instructor left, he was presented with the opportunity to head up his own class.
“I’ve been told I have the best playlist,” laughs Mike, who says you can be sure to hear at least one Kesha song in each circuit-training class. He has a group of about 20 regular attendees, across all fitness levels and abilities who rotate through a combination of strength and cardio exercises. “My class is accepting and judgment free. You can go as hard as you want, or we can make modifications together. I want everyone to feel welcome.”
In addition to his studio workouts, Mike is an avid cyclist, a passion that developed after being diagnosed with cancer. “After my treatment, it was difficult to put weight on my knee. Lots of the activities that I did before were off the table,” says Mike. “I began to struggle with weight gain before I decided to invest in a bike. It’s been love ever since.”
On weekends, you might find Mike cruising from his hometown in Andover, Massachusetts to scenic seaside towns or riding with fellow EFers for a good cause. In 2018, he participated in the Pan-Mass Challenge, a two-day, 163-mile race to benefit the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. And for the <a href="https://hubonwheels.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">2018 Hub on Wheels citywide bike ride in Boston</a>, he’s co-captaining the EF Hope Riders team to support pediatric cancer research with Boston Children’s Hospital.
“Working at EF has given me the self-confidence and the support to take on any challenges that I may face, whether it’s in my career or my personal life,” says Mike. “I’ve met so many inspiring people who help make those around them better. They drive me to do the same.”

Mike has lived many lives. He’s been a foreign exchange student in Spain. Wine consultant. And most recently, a cancer survivor and fitness evangelist.

Sweating for a good cause: Mike’s EF journey - We are EF

Sweating for a good cause: Mike’s EF journey ‹ We are EF

Sweating for a good cause: Mike’s EF journey

Sweating good cause mikes ef journey

In the last 60 years, more than 8 billion tons of nearly indestructible plastics have been produced worldwide. On top of this, manufacturing and transportation still account for a hefty portion of global CO2 emissions heating up the planet.
Stats like these are the reason <a href="https://ef.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EF Education First</a> Creative Director Aida Pérez and the EF Kids & Teens Merchandise team have stepped in to help lead EF’s efforts toward creating a more sustainable future. She and her teammates create and send sustainable merchandise designed for young people around the world each year.
“Being green isn’t just a project for us. It’s what we live and breathe every day,” says Aida, whose multi-talented teammates work across <a href="https://careers.ef.com/locations/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EF offices</a> in Lucerne, Hong Kong and Shanghai. “Having high standards is really important in everything we do. As a big company, it’s a must.”
<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_17226" style="width: 578px"><img alt="" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-17226" class="wp-image-17226 size-full" height="362" sizes="(max-width: 568px) 100vw, 568px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/aida-blog-resized.jpg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/aida-blog-resized.jpg 568w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/aida-blog-resized-300x191.jpg 300w" width="568">Aida Perez at her desk in Lucerne</div>
Over the last 25 years, EF Kids & Teens — a premier English language learning provider for students ages three to 17 — has become the largest and fastest-growing EF business in China and Indonesia. One way the brand continues to build affinity is through unconventional merchandise, like backpacks with faces to match every mood. These unique and exclusive products primarily serve as sales tools for attracting, welcoming, retaining and engaging EF students. Not only are these items highly desirable to kids and parents alike, they’re high-quality, safe and ethically produced, too.
“We want to inspire our customers to believe they can improve their lives by learning with us, and our products need to communicate that message. Our products are fun, innovative, desirable, cool and green as well,” adds Aida. “We pushed a lot internally to educate our business. For us, sustainability is more than one thing: it’s quality over quantity, recycling, repurposing, choosing vegan materials, fair trade and also waste reduction.”
Everyone on the Merchandise team, whether they’re a designer, merchandiser, engineer, or supply chain manager, is equally responsible for upholding EF Kids & Teens’ product principles, which include safety, legal compliance, ethical and environmental production and great design. To achieve these standards, they’ve embedded these green initiatives into their everyday work:
Using recycled & organic materials
The team uses high-quality raw materials — and factories — that meet the Global Recycle Standard (GRS). This means they know exactly where recycled materials come from, how they’re made, and their social and environmental impact. Whenever possible, they opt for organic fabrics, like cotton or rayon, that wear longer and feel better.
Encouraging recycling 
One way to avoid contributing to throwaway culture? Avoid packaging that can’t be recycled altogether — and include clear instructions about how to dispose of materials so they don’t end up in the trash. Such labeling is an important tool for EF Kids & Teens.
Reducing waste 
To protect products during transportation, it’s common to wrap them in polybag plastic packaging. By adopting alternative solutions, such as biodegradable bags, the team reduced polybag usage by over 70%, saving tons of plastic from landfills each year.
Repurposing
By choosing attractive, durable materials, the team encourages customers to keep packaging and repurpose it in their daily lives. They also design products that promote sustainability, such as refillable water bottles and lunch boxes with reusable cutlery.
<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_17225" style="width: 578px"><img alt="" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-17225" class="wp-image-17225 size-full" height="362" sizes="(max-width: 568px) 100vw, 568px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/kids-teens-blog-2-resized.jpg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/kids-teens-blog-2-resized.jpg 568w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/kids-teens-blog-2-resized-300x191.jpg 300w" width="568">A student using some of the merchandise crafted by EF Kids & Teens</div>
Increasing product life
High-quality materials, careful construction, and rigorous safety standards result in products with longer lifespans than average brand merchandise. EF Kids & Teens’ products convey quality. While parents travel with designer bags, their kids tote EF backpacks.
One example of how these initiatives come to life is the EF Kids & Teens new staff uniform. Recently launched following a brand refresh, the uniforms were reimagined with both sustainability and style in mind. The Merchandise team pushed for breathable, organic fabrics that feel great against the skin, selected top-of-the-line factories used by luxury retailers and packed each article of clothing in earth-friendly compostable bags.
<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_17219" style="width: 578px"><img alt="Students in the classroom" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-17219" class="wp-image-17219 size-full" height="362" sizes="(max-width: 568px) 100vw, 568px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/teens-kids-blog-1-resized.jpg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/teens-kids-blog-1-resized.jpg 568w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/teens-kids-blog-1-resized-300x191.jpg 300w" width="568"> An EF teacher works with students</div>
“Our new staff garments are really good quality. Because of the fabrics we chose, the pieces don’t look tired after months of use,” says Aida. “Our staff won’t need to replace them often, which is another way of reducing consumption. It definitely makes an impact on their daily lives.”
Later this summer, the team will unveil a new line of travel gear designed to make EF Kids & Teens students “the most colorful, yet green, explorers of the world.” Packed with personality and sustainable at its core, the collection includes backpacks and toiletry pouches crafted with 100% recycled polyester fabric made from PET bottles. In addition, every piece arrives in packaging that’s both hot water-soluble and compostable in CO₂ and H₂O within 180 days.
Inspired by the success of these innovations, the team plans to produce all future EF backpacks in 100% recycled polyester from PET bottles and phase out non-woven and polyester fabric totes. But they won’t stop there, because making a difference never ends.

EF Kids & Teens Merchandise team has stepped in to help lead EF’s efforts toward creating sustainable merchandise.

When it comes to sustainability, EF Kids & Teens doesn’t play around - We are EF

When it comes to sustainability, EF Kids & Teens doesn’t play around ‹ We are EF

When it comes to sustainability, EF Kids & Teens doesn’t play around

Sustainability ef kids teens

At <a href="https://www.ef.edu/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">EF Education First</a>, bringing people together across cultures and breaking down barriers isn’t just our 9-to-5; it’s something we strive for all day, every day in our community and beyond.
Our vision for a better, more inclusive world has led us to some interesting places—from the <a href="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/we-are-ef/sailing-pink-in-support-of-community-boating-inc-cbi/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">banks of the Charles River</a> to <a href="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/we-are-ef/road-recovery-education-nepal/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">rural villages in Nepal</a>, and now to what will be the world’s largest humanitarian sporting event in 2019: <a href="https://www.abudhabi2019.org/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">the Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi.</a>
We’re teaming up with the <a href="https://www.abudhabi2019.org/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019</a> as an official supplier and the exclusive training provider for the 20,000 volunteers who will dedicate their time and efforts during the Games. Starting in January, Special Olympics volunteers from around the world will log on to a first-of-its-kind digital training platform designed by EF. There they can learn about the history and mission of the Special Olympics, their individual roles, and how to maintain a safe environment for every athlete and guest. Interactive quizzes, activities and videos keep the experience engaging and fun. Everyone who volunteers is required to complete the training, and those who do will be certified by EF, ensuring these World Games go off without a hitch.
“EF champions the values of inclusion and acceptance, which are also at the heart of the Special Olympics,” said Philip Hult, EF Chairman, in a recent announcement to the press. “We deeply believe in the transformative power and joy of sports, and we are excited to help celebrate the athletic achievements of individuals with intellectual disabilities.”
Established in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics unites people with intellectual disabilities to compete in global sporting events that foster personal growth, equality, respect and acceptance. When the organization announced it would be taking its 2019 World Games to the Middle East for the very first time, EF wanted to help. As the official language training supplier and education sponsor for several Olympic and Paralympic Games, EFers have experience developing large-scale volunteer training for global events. We’re excited to bring that experience to the Special Olympics World Games 2019, slated to welcome thousands of athletes from more than 190 nations to Abu Dhabi and Dubai from March 14–21.
As all of us at EF prepare to cheer on the 2019 athletes, here are a few things to learn (and love) about the upcoming Games:
Words we can get behind. We love the Special Olympics motto: “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
This is big. It’s slated to be the world’s largest humanitarian and multisport event in 2019, with an estimated 7,500 athletes, 3,000 coaches and 20,000 volunteers.
Better together. The Games feature a mix of traditional sports and what are called “Unified Sports,” which join people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. Abu Dhabi organizers are promising that 2019 will be the most unified Special Olympics World Games in history.
More representation. Eleven new sub-Saharan African nations signed on for the upcoming Games. Special Olympics programs have recently launched in Burundi, Cape Verde, Congo (Brazzaville), Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Madagascar, Mozambique, Niger, Chad and South Sudan.
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LnFsXTuhDkc" width="560"></iframe>

We’re partnering with the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 as an official supplier and the exclusive training provider for 20,000 volunteers.

EF teams up with the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 - We are EF

EF teams up with the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 ‹ We are EF

EF teams up with the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019

Special olympics world games partnership

If Maria could choose one phrase to sum up her <a href="https://www.ef.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EF Education First</a> journey, it would be: “Is this real?”
From Boston to Berlin and every in between, throughout all her EF travels and triumphs, Employee Experience Program Specialist Maria has had to pinch herself more than a few times. Every day, she’s reminded in ways big and small that making EF a fun, rewarding place to work is actually her job—and she couldn’t be more grateful.
<h2>Traveling from Maine to Rome and back again</h2>
Raised in southern Maine, Maria had early aspirations to explore the world. In high school, she traveled with EF Educational Tours to Barcelona, which sparked a desire to live outside New England. Inspired by her international travels, Maria decided she would dedicate her college years to studying abroad.
And so, while most U.S. first-year students are busy immersing in dorm life, she started her studies with Sacred Heart University in Dingle, Ireland, a remote seafaring town on the Emerald Isle’s west coast. She describes this as one of the best decisions she’s made.
Later, Maria took her studies across the pond to Italy. She rented her first “big girl” apartment in Rome and joined approximately 500 fellow degree seekers at John Cabot University, where she began cultivating a circle of friends from places like Germany, Spain, Russia, and the Czech Republic.
“We were all so far away from home,” Maria recalls of her crew in the Eternal City. “We became a family, and we all took care of each other.”
During her time in Italy, Maria kept close ties with the global affairs office at Sacred Heart University, serving as a liaison for students beginning a semester abroad in Dingle or Rome. Having studied abroad in both places, she was the perfect sounding board, mentor, and guide.
“I worked with program directors on orientations, I led workshops, and I took students out to experience new neighborhoods every week,” says Maria, who began to realize that her passion for helping people study abroad could open doors to a global career.
<h2>Following a gut feeling</h2>
After plans for graduate school fell through, the communications and creative writing major decided to return home and start her job search in the U.S. Following a referral from a friend, she applied at EF and found her perfect fit on the Employee Experience Team, which is dedicated to making EF’s North American headquarters <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/specials/top-places-to-work/2017/11/16/education-first-named-list-largest-mass-companies/634LaZrMUXaynD0P699omI/story.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">the best place to work in Boston.</a>
“I knew EF was the right place for me from the moment I walked in for my first interview,” recalls Maria. “I came in to meet with the Employee Experience Team, and I was hired on the spot. When I was leaving, my manager looked at me with a smile and said, ‘This where you’re meant to be. You’re meant to be on this team.’”
In her role, Maria gets to be what she describes as a “hostess,” guiding people through their EF experiences, whether she’s greeting them as they come in the door or creating programs that fuel their career satisfaction and professional growth.
“I love being able to help people, whether it’s connecting them with someone to form a new relationship or experience or answering their questions,” says Maria. “Being on the Employee Experience Team allows me to do those things on a daily basis.”
<h2>Making EF the best place to work in Boston</h2>
As a Program Specialist Maria is fine-tuning EF’s employee perks to reflect our staff’s needs. For instance, with EFers traveling around the world so often, discounted luggage, headphones, and grocery delivery services make going away and returning home just a bit easier. Want to explore Boston? Take a food tour, see a movie, attend a play, and more on the cheap, thanks to Maria. Finding it hard to hit the gym? Break up your work day with free studio fitness classes at EF’s Sweat Lab, which Maria is continuing to refine and grow.
Another key component of Maria’s day-to-day work is finding ways to make sure EFers are staying curious, making connections, and progressing in their careers. She facilitates peer-to-peer networking opportunities called “Midweek Mingles” as well as interdepartmental sharing and learning programs known as “EF BRICKS.” And let’s not forget those epic, team spirit-building holiday parties—Maria has a hand in those, too.
“I’m thankful that my team is involved in so many different events and experiences, from EF Halloween to groundbreaking ceremonies to office-wide parties,” says Maria. “But the experience that truly sticks out to me is when I attended the <a href="https://www.eftours.com/educational-tours/collections/student-summits" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EF Global Student Leadership Summit</a> in Berlin as an Assistant Innovation Coach.”
At the Summit, Maria worked with small groups of high schoolers to come up with new ways to harness the potential of technology to improve others’ lives. Watching the students blossom and become more confident over the weekend was a life-changing experience.
“I’ve cried so many times,” jokes Maria, “At our Summit, our charity drives, and even our staff talent show. All of the events we do, whether large or small, are incredible. Everything we do is so amazing.”
Whether she’s tossing glow sticks into the crowd during EF’s Got Talent or chasing down staff on a golf cart during our groundbreaking ceremony, as unpredictable as her job can be, Maria wouldn’t have it any other way.
“EF employees are all very different, but we’re all here for the same reason,” says Maria. “That’s what makes working here so fun and unique.”

Maria, Employee Experience Program Specialist, finds ways to make sure EFers are staying curious, making connections, and progressing in their careers.

Shaping the employee experience: Maria’s EF journey - We are EF

Shaping the employee experience: Maria’s EF journey ‹ We are EF

Shaping the employee experience: Maria’s EF journey

Shaping the employee experience marias ef journey

Pursuing a career in English education wasn’t a choice for Minh, <a href="https://www.ef.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EF Education First</a>’s Senior Director of Research and Academic Partnerships. It was a calling.
“For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to teach,” says Minh, who grew up in a Chinese household in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam before moving to Los Angeles at age ten. “Being a good student, I explored all of my options, from consulting to law to business, but I knew in my heart that my true passion was teaching. It was a pretty easy decision once I was in America.”
After studying in Yale University’s teacher preparation program, Minh was eager to “get his hands dirty as quickly as possible” by putting theory into action in real classrooms. Through a placement with Teach for America, he was able to get to work right away, teaching math and science to fifth graders in L.A. It was a tough job—“talking about fractions and decimals are the last things kids want to do,” jokes Minh—but these early experiences affirmed his commitment. Within two years, he knew exactly what and how he wanted to teach.
“I still wanted to teach, just in a different context,” recalls Minh, whose next position led him to the Chinese University of Hong Kong. There he discovered an opportunity to pursue another one of his lifelong loves: writing. “I’ve always loved English, and I wanted to explore teaching at a higher level,” he says.
Following two years of teaching literature to English majors, Minh decided it was time for a change. A friend from Yale who was working in EF’s Hong Kong office recommended the <a href="https://careers.ef.com/categories/recent-graduates-and-internships/360/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EF360 Global Management Trainee Program</a>—a highly selective, year-long management training program that pairs college grads with key EF leaders around the globe. Minh applied and was assigned to shadow EF’s Chief Culture Officer, Ming­­­. The rest is history.
“Working with Ming as an EF360, I was given exposure to senior leadership and critical projects, which led to more involvement in these types of projects,” says Minh.
During the program, he learned the secrets to driving global marketing and branding campaigns across EF’s business units. He also collaborated with a global team to create the <a href="https://www.ef.edu/epi/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI)</a>, now regarded as the world’s most comprehensive ranking of countries by English skills. More than five years later, this work remains vital to his role at EF.
“I’m responsible for everything EF EPI, from writing with my co-author Kate, to data analysis and translating the report to into 14 languages, to its design, printing, and PR launches,” says Minh. He spends about 10 months out of the year producing and promoting the report. Each fall, Minh orchestrates a global PR blitz for the EF EPI launch, an effort that has brought him to 23 countries and counting.
“My proudest moment was when we launched at the House of Commons in London with nearly 40 members of Parliament in attendance,” recalls Minh. “In preparation for Brexit, we wanted to return to the home of the English language to remind people about the importance of international education and language learning for the U.K. market.”
With more than a dozen EF campuses in the U.K. alone, Minh and his team hoped to convince local leaders to improve the visa process for students seeking to move abroad and learn a new language. <a href="https://hbr.org/2016/11/research-companies-and-industries-lack-english-skills" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">By examining how language policies and investments can affect economic competitiveness</a>, the EF EPI provided the perfect platform to jumpstart the conversation.
“EF EPI is our biggest thought-leadership piece,” says Minh. “It’s done amazing things for us in terms of getting people to know EF. We’ve received a lot of inbound interest from governments, schools, and universities that want to know how their countries can improve and what changes they can make to their language policies and investments.”
Minh has also played an important role in launching and building partnerships for the <a href="https://www.efset.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EF Standard English Test (EF SET)</a>, a free alternative to expensive English proficiency tests such as TOEFL and IELTS.
“It’s a super radical proposition—standardized testing doesn’t have to be expensive and inconvenient,” says Minh. “We offer a free alternative that’s equally rigorous and available online.” For students and workers who don’t need a formal language credential, EF SET offers a convenient way to gauge and share English language proficiency with institutions and employers. To get the test in front of more people, Minh has established unique relationships with ministries of education, Voice of America, and even LinkedIn.
“<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/ef-education-first/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> has nearly 500 million professionals on their social platform,” he says. “If you’re from a non-English speaking country and you add English as a skill, LinkedIn will now prompt you to certify this by taking the EF SET. Once you’ve finished the test, you can display your EF SET score on your profile.”
Building and sustaining partnerships like this, in addition to presenting research and marketing EF’s international language campuses in Asia, keeps Minh pretty busy. While he estimates that he spends 50 percent of the year traveling, he still finds time to practice meditation at the Su Bong Zen Monastery as a Dharma teacher in training. And for the past three years, he’s dedicated his evenings and weekends to completing his Doctor of Education (EdD) in English language at the University of Hong Kong.
“Similar to how I always wanted to teach, I always wanted a doctorate,” says Minh, who recently wrapped up his dissertation on adult motivation to learn English. For this passionate researcher and teacher, it’s just one more step on Minh’s lifelong journey to <a href="https://hbr.org/2018/07/how-to-improve-your-business-english" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">make language learning more accessible to the world</a>.

Pursuing a career in English education wasn’t a choice for Minh, EF’s Senior Director of Research and Academic Partnerships. It was a calling.

Setting new standards for English education: Minh’s EF journey - We are EF

Setting new standards for English education: Minh’s EF journey ‹ We are EF

Setting new standards for English education: Minh’s EF journey

Setting new standards english education minhs ef journey

Hannah, Business Analyst at <a href="https://www.ef.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EF Education First</a> in Boston, is terrified of bike riding. Before this summer, she had dusted off her road bike maybe five times. Yet, when the opportunity came to join EF on a 40-mile ride to benefit pediatric cancer research at <a href="https://www.childrenshospital.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Boston Children’s Hospital</a>, she didn’t think twice.
“I knew that I had to be involved,” says Hannah, who joined 40 fellow EFers on a mission to raise critical funds to benefit children and their families. “I immediately signed on to be an <a href="https://fundraise.childrenshospital.org/site/TR/ActiveEvents/ActiveEvents?team_id=7850&pg=team&fr_id=1780" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EF Hope Rider</a> for the <a href="https://fundraise.childrenshospital.org/site/TR/ActiveEvents/ActiveEvents?pg=entry&fr_id=1780" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hub on Wheels</a> citywide bike ride because I believe in what Boston Children’s Hospital does for kids.”
As a new mom, the cause hit particularly close to home. Hannah explains, “After having a baby in 2017, I joined a support group for new moms run by Beverly Hospital. On my first day, the first people I met were Steph and her son, William. Along with the other moms in our group, we spent the summer asking endless new mom questions, going for walks together, and sharing our struggles and successes.”
When William was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a rare cancer occurring in the liver, Hannah was devastated. As of January,  cancer had already spread to the 10-month-old’s lungs. And while the prognosis was daunting, William’s family never lost hope.
“William courageously battled the disease at Boston Children’s Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute,” says Hannah. “When I found out that the ride would benefit Boston Children’s, I pushed my fears aside. I wanted to do more for Steph and William.”
Leading up to Hub on Wheels, which EF proudly sponsors in partnership with the City of Boston, Hannah and the EF Hope Riders rallied to raise funds through their personal networks and a bake sale at EF’s Boston headquarters. Through these efforts, the riders brought in more than $12,000 for a good cause and formed close bonds with one another.
“Being part of the team has been a great way to meet new people from different EF products,” says Hannah, who donned her EF cycling gear and headed to Boston’s City Hall Plaza early on Sunday, September 16. There, Hannah, fellow EF Hope Riders, and thousands of cyclists from Greater Boston started their journey through the city’s downtown neighborhoods. With every mile, Hannah pedaled through her fears and anxieties, keeping her reasons for riding top of mind.
“Cruising along Storrow Drive when it was closed to traffic was really cool,” Hannah recalls of her favorite moments. Cheered on by colleagues who flooded Boston’s streets with EF pink, Hannah neared the finish line after about four hours on the road. At the end of the route, she was greeted by her husband and 17-month-old son, who made the day’s events feel even more special.
Altogether, Hub on Wheels participants—including the EF Hope Riders—raised over $77,000. Today, thanks to the tremendous staff and resources at Boston Children’s, baby William is in remission. Through increased research, like that supported by Hub on Wheels, Hannah hopes there will be more positive outcomes like this one.
“There are thousands of heroes like William out there who need our help,” she says. “My hope is that one day, no parent will ever have to go through the heartache and uncertainty that William’s family went through.”
Read more about the <a href="https://fundraise.childrenshospital.org/site/TR/ActiveEvents/ActiveEvents?team_id=7850&pg=team&fr_id=1780" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EF Hope Riders</a> team and <a href="https://fundraise.childrenshospital.org/site/TR/ActiveEvents/ActiveEvents?pg=entry&fr_id=1780" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hub on Wheels</a>.

Hannah is terrified of biking. Yet, when the opportunity came to join EF on a 43-mile ride to benefit pediatric cancer research, she didn’t think twice.

Riding for hope: Hannah’s EF story - We are EF

Riding for hope: Hannah’s EF story ‹ We are EF

Riding for hope: Hannah’s EF story

Riding hope hannahs ef story

Three hundred and forty kilometers is a long distance. To put it into perspective, that’s just about the span of Switzerland from east to west. Nearly one-tenth the width of Australia. Or a one-way trip from Boston to New York City. It’s also how far <a href="https://www.ef.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EF Education First</a>’s Group Finance Director, Steve, ran in just one race last year.
“Five years ago, I enjoyed nothing about running,” laughs Steve, who was inspired to start up the sport when he moved to Paris for a job in 2011. “I couldn’t play football anymore because of my travel schedule, so I picked up a pair of runners.”
Two years later Steve ran his first marathon. Soon after, those 42-kilometer (or 26.2-mile) races would become a fraction of what he could achieve. Today, Steve is what’s known as an ultra-marathon runner, and he’s participated in some of the biggest races throughout Europe and around the world. It’s totally normal to find Steve running 70 kilometers (about 43 miles) in one shot. On an easy day, he blazes through rugged Alpine trails for fun.
For all he’s accomplished so far, Steve remains a very humble guy. In fact, asking him to talk about his achievements is almost impossible. Whether he’s focused on his goals as an EF team leader or as a competitive long-distance runner, he’s never one to boast. Maybe it has something to do with his upbringing in a small, Australian farm town—to which he credits his perpetually laid-back attitude. Or maybe it has something to do with a personal philosophy he’s come to apply in the office and on the trails.
“I’m not a person who looks back and celebrates,” says Steve. “I believe in looking forward rather than looking back.” It’s this attitude that has guided him from his early runs in the City of Light to mastering the trails of Lucerne, Switzerland, and from his beginnings in agricultural finance to leadership roles at large, multinational companies.
Before heading up the <a href="https://www.eftours.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EF Educational Tours</a> finance team in our Lucerne headquarters, Steve established what he describes as a “solid career path,” consulting for organizations including PwC, Toronto’s Ministry of Health, and Constellium. His career served as a means for him to settle down in some of the world’s greatest cities, from Sydney to Zurich—a much-appreciated opportunity for the self-described “horrible traveler.”
“Finance has been an avenue for security and travel,” says Steve, who confesses that he’s much better at exploring places as a resident than as a tourist. After dwelling in Lucerne for the last three-and-a-half years, he admits that this city, as well as EF, holds a special place in his heart.
Steve heard about EF from a former colleague, and he was hooked from the first interview. “From the people I met in that interview process, I just got the feeling that it was the right move,” he says.
Since joining EF, he’s established himself as a global leader, partnering with divisions and teams around the world to make crucial financial decisions that impact the future of EF. It’s a big, stressful job, but Steve tackles it with constant cool-under-pressure composure.
“The challenges are many,” says Steve, who believes managing across a company as large as EF requires a strong understanding the organization’s many evolving functions and building key stakeholder relationships. “But as cliché as it might sound, I believe the rewards are the challenges themselves.” He explains, “Learning to adapt and evolve with the various finance and business teams across the United Kingdom, United States, United Arab Emirates, Switzerland, China, and Canada has been hugely rewarding.”
Every day that Steve walks into EF is like crossing a starting line all over again, and for this ultra-marathoner, that’s a good thing. Knowing that there’s always something new and interesting to deliver is what keeps him going. “It’s the continuous opportunities you receive here that keep your EF career on track,” says Steve. “If you’re willing to take on the challenges put in front of you, then those opportunities will always find their way to you.”

Three hundred and forty kilometers is a long distance. It’s also how far EF Education First’s Group Finance Director, Steve, ran in just one race last year.

One foot in front of the other: Steve’s EF journey - We are EF

One foot in front of the other: Steve’s EF journey ‹ We are EF

One foot in front of the other: Steve’s EF journey

One foot front steves ef journey

Henry is typically one of the first faces people see when they walk into <a href="https://www.ef.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EF Education First’s</a> Boston headquarters. Whether they’re coming in for a first interview or starting another day’s work, for the past 18 years, he’s been a consistent, friendly presence guarding the safety and well-being of everyone who comes through EF’s doors. During those years, he’s seen a lot and learned even more. For him, working at EF feels more like a journey than a job.
Born in Guatemala City, Henry is the son of activists who found political asylum in the U.S. He spent the majority of his childhood in East Boston, which still holds a huge piece of his heart. In his high school years, he taught lifeguarding courses at the Hull Lifesaving Museum and had aspirations to become an auto mechanic. (To say he’s passionate about cars would be an understatement.) As he prepared to graduate, he eyed positions as a security guard, hoping he’d be able to study for school on the job. He interviewed with one of Boston’s premier security placement agencies, which sent him to interview somewhere he’d never heard of before: EF.
“I interviewed with Bert, Director of Facilities, which was very intimidating to me,” remembers Henry, who was brand new to security at the time. “I was so nervous, but he saw something in me. We clicked right away. He offered me a position and the rest is history.”
Over the course of two decades, Henry has come to view Bert as more than a manager; he’s been a mentor and father figure. Everything he learned about the world of security, he learned from Bert. And according to Henry, every day of every year at EF, there’s something new to discover.
“Security wasn’t originally what I planned to be my career focus, but I saw brilliance in Bert,” says Henry, who’s grown from a teenager to a proud father of three while working at EF. “He’s been my schooling in this realm. In 18 years, I’ve never stopped learning. There’s a constant flow of information all around me and it drives my curiosity to know what’s next. How could I ever be bored when there’s so much happening all the time?”
Today, as Security Manager, Henry serves as a liaison between EF and its security subcontractors. As the reference point for security guards across all buildings on EF’s Boston campus, he spearheads the hiring and training process for new staff. He also does a lot of things most people don’t know about. Alongside Bert, he purchases, sells and maintains all company vehicles. The best part of his job, though? The people.
“I work with the most talented group of people I have come across in my life,” says Henry. “The people at EF move differently. They talk differently. They act differently. They have a spirit that makes you want to see the world. They unify people through education, community and fun.”
This spirit of community and fun has underscored some of Henry’s favorite EF memories, from shaking hands with the Queen of Sweden to building bikes for kids alongside thousands of EFers in Denver and watching the New England Patriots strut their stuff at an EF-hosted fashion show. (Yes, that really happened and there are pictures to prove it.) Truly, after all these years with EF, nothing seems to surprise Henry.
“EF has this je ne sais quoi quality about it. You have to be here to understand it,” he says. “It resonates through the languages spoken in our hallways. It’s seen in the faces, cultures and creeds that fill our beautiful offices all over the world. It’s a spirit that not only changes you as a person but also inspires you to be better at all that you do. Every day, I’m inspired to continue growing as a professional and as a person.”

After two decades with EF, nothing seems to surprise Security Manager Henry. His career has been a nonstop journey filled with constant learning and fun.

Never stop learning: Henry’s EF journey - We are EF

Never stop learning: Henry’s EF journey ‹ We are EF

Never stop learning: Henry’s EF journey

Never stop learning henrys ef journey

Janae’s job takes her to different parts of the world every day. In one week, she might explore bear conservation areas in Japan, dracula’s haunts in Romania, and archaeological sites in Belize. As a Boston-based Customized Itinerary Specialist for <a href="https://www.ef.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EF Education First</a>, a world leader in educational travel, she spends her time curating guided travel experiences for college professors and students. Combining research, sales, and creativity, it’s a dream job for a globetrotter like Janae.
“I create customized itineraries for professors looking to break the mold and add further academic objectives into their <a href="https://www.efcollegestudytours.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">short-term study abroad programs</a>,” says Janae, whose interest in international travel and social justice led her to the Peace Corps after college. That’s how the University of Connecticut graduate found herself in Swaziland, living on her own in a rural village. There, Janae ran youth development programs and sought out new adventures throughout Africa. When her Peace Corps placement ended, she returned to the U.S., hoping to launch a career in an organization that shared her for passion for women’s empowerment. Enter EF Tours for Girl Scouts.
<a href="https://girltrips.eftours.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EF Tours for Girl Scouts</a>, part of EF’s educational tours division, creates guided travel experiences that help young girls gain new skills, perspectives, and confidence. For Janae, it was love at first interview. “The conversation flowed, and everyone I spoke to was on the same page, connected to the same end goals,” she recalls of the moment she knew EF was the place for her.
In her first role as a Tour Consultant, Janae worked one-on-one with Girl Scout troop leaders in Texas, guiding them through the process of selecting, recruiting, and fundraising for educational tours around the globe. Getting the chance to meet her troop leaders in person not only opened her eyes to life in different regions of the U.S., but also impacted her career path at EF.
“Until I took my first trip to Texas, I formed working relationships with customers over the phone. Meeting them in person felt like visiting family friends. Everyone was so excited to show me around their city,” says Janae. “When working in international travel, it’s easy to forget that exploring the U.S. can be super fun and insightful. I learned so much about the people I was working with and the cities they lived in by experiencing them firsthand.”
Janae’s trip fueled her desire to help more young people from the U.S. learn about the world. Soon after, she transitioned to <a href="https://www.efcollegestudytours.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EF College Study Tours</a>, which partners with college professors and administrators throughout North America to create tours that bring classroom learning to life. In her role as Customized Itinerary Specialist, Janae works with educators to make travel dreams come true for students. Whether they want to put a new spin on an existing tour or come up with something entirely new (like a tour focused on the history of fermentation, for example), Janae is the person who makes it happen.
“It’s pretty neat,” says Janae, who likes to joke that Google Maps has become her best friend. “I’m always learning something new. Before I start planning a tour, I make sure I understand the professor’s main objectives, then I start researching, talking to our operations team, and putting together an estimate of the cost.”
Working through the logistics—how far can one group travel in a day, how should they get from point A to point B, and where should they stay overnight—is a creative puzzle that makes everyday work feel fun. The best part? Watching it all come together.
“I recently traveled on my first EF College Study Tour to Iceland,” says Janae. “It made me realize how much I love creating these programs. It’s so exciting to see the specific disciplines professors are working in and how interested they are in creating a fun and different experience for students.”
But travel isn’t just Janae’s 9-to-5. She’s an avid traveler outside of work, having visited eight countries in the past year alone. Up next on her bucket list? China, Australia, and Rwanda—to see the mountain gorillas, of course.

Curating travel experiences for college professors and students means Janae's job at EF takes her to different parts of the world every day.

Making travel dreams come true: Janae’s EF journey - We are EF

Making travel dreams come true: Janae’s EF journey ‹ We are EF

Making travel dreams come true: Janae’s EF journey

Making travel dreams come true janaes ef journey

Ask Aida about her favorite memories from growing up in Spain and she’s likely to tell you about the time she took her sister to the cinema for the first time. The movie was Disney’s animated “Tarzan,” and Aida still remembers the thrill of watching the characters swinging from vine to vine across the big screen.
This film and others like it fueled Aida’s lifelong passion for illustration and design. Years later, she forged an international career as an advertising art director that led her from agencies across Europe to <a href="https://www.ef.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EF Education First’s</a> office in Shanghai. What started as a three-month job with <a href="https://www.englishfirst.com/esl-jobs/teach-kids-teens/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EF Kids & Teens</a>, quickly turned into one of the best career decisions she’s ever made (her words!).
“I’ve been able to collaborate with so many amazing people. Soon after joining EF I had the opportunity to work with one of the animators from ‘Tarzan,’” recalls Aida. “It was one of the most impactful moments in my career, and it helped me realize just how talented and professional EF’s creative teams are. I really appreciate how EF understands the importance of good design.”
Five years, two continents and three cities later, Aida is still designing at EF. Today she’s a Creative Director for <a href="https://www.englishfirst.com/esl-jobs/teach-kids-teens/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EF Kids & Teens</a>, which provides innovative English language teaching resources and curriculum for learners ages three to 14. Based in Lucerne, Switzerland, her team is in charge of bringing EF characters to life. Together they create everything from branded promotional merchandise, staff uniforms, the iconic EF backpacks for kids, educational games and even puppets used to enhance classroom learning.
<img alt="Aida designing with her EF colleague" class="alignnone wp-image-1374 size-full" height="488" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Aida-working-in-EF-office.jpg" width="568">
“Lots of thought goes into what we do,” explains Aida. “Our designers have a strong background in illustration and often come to us from places like Disney, Hello Kitty and Cartoon Network. They understand the kid world, what motivates kids and triggers their imaginations. We want to create things that people actually desire and want to use.”
Curious about what it takes to turn an idea into a product used by kids worldwide? We asked Aida to share her creative process and favorite parts of the job. Here’s what she had to say.
<h2>Tell us more about your role.</h2>
I spearhead creative direction for EF Kids & Teens merchandise. I’m responsible for research, including visiting international toy fairs and discovering design trends for kids and parents. My team and I bring these trends back to EF, where we concept and create educational and promotional materials for EF English language learners ages three to 14. The products we create are premium quality, eco-friendly and innovative. Everything we make is responsibly produced, safe for kids and a valuable marketing tool for our business.
<h2>What’s the best part about your job?</h2>
I like identifying global trends and defining how new products, concepts and visual trends can merge with the EF brand. I especially love discovering opportunities for brand collaborations. In the past, we’ve worked with well-known brands like Swatch, Speedo and Skullcandy as well as entrepreneurs who are producing innovative STEM toys. Bringing these cutting-edge products to our kids exposes them to new and engaging experiences and enriches our brand.
<img alt="EF Kids & Teens backpack" class="alignnone wp-image-1374 size-full" height="488" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/EF-Kids-and-Teens-backpack.jpg" width="568">
<h2>…and the most rewarding?</h2>
Design always has a purpose: communication. But at EF, our art has a higher purpose: education. We’re exposing kids to other cultures and teaching them that learning is fun. Our products are unconventional and the imagery we use triggers kids’ imaginations. We believe imagination is the most powerful tool for engagement and motivation.
<h2>What have been some of your favorite moments since joining EF?</h2>
I love going to schools and showing our stuff to kids. They’re so honest! It’s really inspiring to see their reactions and to learn from their creativity. We’ve heard so many times that studying is horrible. We’re proud of changing that attitude and helping students find motivation, fun and happiness in their educational journeys with us.
<img alt="EF Kids & Teens t-shirt" class="alignnone wp-image-1374 size-full" height="488" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/EF-Kids-and-Teens-t-shirt.jpg" width="568">
<h2>What are you most proud of?</h2>
I’m proud of many things. It makes me proud to see kids smile when they interact with our merchandise. I feel proud when I walk into Starbucks and find a student using a workbook my team designed, when I spot EF luggage and backpacks in airports around the world, or when we discover ways to reduce waste in our production process. Most of all, I’m proud to know that I’m contributing to children’s education and visually immersing them in our world.

Aida turns ideas into innovative EF products that spark kid's imaginations and passion for learning. Take a look inside her creative process.

Making learning fun: Aida’s EF journey - We are EF

Making learning fun: Aida’s EF journey ‹ We are EF

Making learning fun: Aida’s EF journey

Making learning fun aidas ef journey

“My job is to make people happy,” says Ally. “What’s better than that?”
Around <a href="https://www.ef.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EF Education First’s</a> Boston headquarters, some know Ally as the comedic force behind the internal High Fives emails, which keep staff in tune with happenings in the office. Others recognize her as “Ranger Ally,” who cheered for competitors during EF’s Backyard Run, a multi-team staff race through the woods. Not everyone, however, realizes she’s the mastermind behind the personality-packed events that help make EF a <a href="https://topworkplaces.com/publication/boston/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">top place to work</a>.
“As the Internal Communication and Events Specialist for <a href="https://careers.ef.com/locations/boston/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EF Boston’s</a> Employee Experience team, my job is half event planning—both big and small in scale—and half communicating about these events so staff are engaged and in-the-know,” she says. “In short, my job is to make it fun to come to work every day.”
Growing up, event planning wasn’t on Ally’s radar. With dreams of becoming a professional artist, she left her hometown of Norfolk, Massachusetts to study studio art at UMass Amherst. Her passion eventually led her to Florence, Italy—home of the Renaissance masters—where she practiced sculpture at the Lorenzo de’ Medici School and fell in love with international travel. After graduating, she decided to put art on hold and move abroad for a year. Without hesitation, she packed her bags for Rayong, Thailand, where she taught English to students in grades 7–10.
“I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and experience what it feels like to be a minority in another culture,” she recalls. “Working at a school without desks or steady running water was one of the most humbling and challenging experiences of my life. All of the educators I worked with were absolutely incredible.”
As her teaching contract came to an end, Ally was faced with a tough choice: continue her career in international education or focus on her art. After backpacking around Southeast Asia, she returned to Massachusetts and took up nannying while she considered her next move. One day, she bumped into a neighbor who would change the direction of her professional life.
“We started talking about the kind of work I was interested in, and my neighbor reminded me about EF,” she says. “I remembered researching the company while I was in Thailand and it sounded like a perfect fit.”
Inspired by this conversation, Ally interviewed for a sales position at one of EF’s core divisions, <a href="https://www.eftours.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EF Educational Tours</a>, which connects teachers and students to educational travel opportunities around the world. She landed a job as a Tour Consultant and partnered with educators in rural regions to bring their classrooms abroad. One of her favorite experiences was working with a private boarding school dedicated to transforming the futures of children in challenging socioeconomic situations.
“I managed EF’s partnership with the school and coordinated three major trips for them each year,” says Ally. “It was incredibly rewarding to facilitate these massive educational moments for such deserving students and their amazing teachers.”
Following more than two years as a Tour Consultant, Ally decided it was time for a new challenge. “I wanted to shift from serving EF customers to working for my peers and colleagues,” she says.
Soon after, she joined EF’s Employee Experience team, which she describes as the “cherry on top of the EF sundae.” She explains: “We’re all about employee experience and company culture. We’re responsible for knowing everything that’s happening on our Boston campus and making sure staff are excited and fulfilled every time they step away from their desks. EF culture is so unique—it’s our job to make it palpable.”
Ally’s first task in her new role? Plan the first-ever EF Backyard Run, a 12-hour overnight team race for staff. No big deal, right?
“Having come from zero event planning background and never having run in a race before, it was quite the experience,” laughs Ally. “But it gave me great exposure, allowing me to get in front of so many EFers.”
In addition to recruiting participants, she navigated some pretty unusual event logistics. Not only was she in charge of surveying the route through the woods, she also had to consider ways to keep runners healthy and safe through the night. After deciding on a location and a summer camp theme, Ally says the puzzle pieces started falling into place. Working alongside her colleagues, she came up with creative approaches to ensure staff were supported and motivated as they attempted to achieve personal athletic milestones, like running half-marathon up to ultra-marathon distances. “EF Forest Friend” staff were posted along the route to cheer on runners. Meanwhile “Ranger Ally” kept energy levels high with hourly challenges, like hula hooping, smashing eggs and sharpening pencils. All in all, the event was a huge success, bringing 250 staff from EF’s many business divisions closer together.
“A lot of people had never done anything like this before,” remembers Ally. “When the last person crossed the finish line, all of us stood together, cheering, crying, and losing our minds. That moment stands out to me as the definition of EF spirit.”
Having successfully executed such a complicated event, Ally now feels she can take on anything. “It helped me gain the confidence to share my ideas and made me a better listener. EF is all about equal playing field ideas and having the freedom to execute them.” She adds jokingly, “Planning EF Halloween is going to feel easy compared to this.”
Next time one of EF’s signature employee events pops up—whether it’s a community service initiative or a themed activity in the in-house <a href="https://www.lingocafeandbar.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lingo Cafe and Bar</a>—staff members have Ally and the Employee Experience team to thank.
“EFers are engaged, passionate and hungry for opportunities to better themselves and their careers,” says Ally. “Our people are eager to do something that’s never been done before. There’s so much my team and I can do, and knowing that our staff are interested and engaged makes it all worth it.”

Meet Ally, a member of our Employee Experience team and the mastermind behind the personality-packed events that help make EF a top place to work.

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Lauren Shiraka

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