Meet the Team

alex ramsay colour

We started The Learning Adventure with a shared belief that some of the most rewarding experiences happen when travel and education meet. We have grown a lot since our launch in 2011 and continue to do so, taking dozens of schools and universities on educational tours and faculty-led programs every year. Both of us feel incredibly lucky to have found a team of like-minded former teachers and avid travellers, all passionate about providing life-changing academic travel programs.

Director

Alex Seigel

Alex is passionate about travel and education having worked in both sectors for the past decade. As an Assistant Head on the Teach First programme, he was inspired to improve educational outcomes for young people. This passion has remained a part of his work at The Dragon Trip. In his spare time, he enjoys sport, reading and visiting new places.

Director

Ramsay Kerr

Ramsay knows first hand the value of learning in an international environment, having himself studied at international school and universities in Asia. He has more than 10 years’ experience in running experiential learning programs, and believes that all of us can learn a lot from the open minded approach students have when seeing new cultures for the first time.

Asia Operations Manager

Scott Heptonstall

The English man living in Ho Chi Minh City, Scott is never too far away from a bánh mì. He loves playing rugby (even in Vietnam) and is known as “Odd Job Scott” by his friends. Indeed working a variety of quirky jobs; from Tour Director and Presenter to TV Gameshow Questions Writer and Producer. After building on his experience in educational travel, Scott now manages all The Learning Adventure tours across Asia.

 

Educational Tours Specialist

Samuel Axon

Sam joined The Learning Adventure in 2022 after almost a decade working on school trips to Germany, France and Spain. He has travelled to over 25 countries, but his heart is split between Germany and Japan after a year living in each. When not working in the London Office he spends his time out on the football pitch, cooking up Japanese food or planning his next adventure.

Rory O’Keeffe

Before working for The Learning Adventure Rory lived in Rome, where he learned the correct and only acceptable way to cook a carbonara. He is now the resident Italophile at TLA but doesn’t let his Italy-bias get in the way of organising trips all over Europe! In his spare time he enjoys learning languages, playing football, and writing about himself in the third person.

Operations Officer

Bao Tran

Hello to all! I am Bao Tran. I’m currently based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. I personally love the quote saying, “Travel is the one thing you buy that makes you richer”. And for that reason, I have always been loving to travel, connect with people and learn new culture. I’m grateful to have had the chances to travel to various locations and see parts of different cultures as I grew up, which then enabling me to share all of my travel experiences and tips for making a trip special with all of my customers.

Finance Manager

Jamie Tran Rico Pisa

Jamie comes from the land-down under (Australia) and is the Finance Manager for The Dragon Trip.

With a wealth of Financial and Accounting experience from a range of industries, he’ll be sure to help you with all your financial needs.

In a globalized world, travelling is the best investment you can have on yourself. Learning about new cultures, languages and stories, will help develop new skills and abilities to help you grow.

When not working, Jamie is usually keeping tabs on the latest sports or watching movies.

Regional Expert

Jiyoon Eom

I am Jiyoon from South Korea, and this is where I have spent most of my life, brought up and educated. Quite recently I’ve joined Learning Adventure as Regional specialist. My first time here was almost like when I started my first job right after my colleage as learning dos and don’ts as a newbie. I am still learning a lot of new things and people that I might meet through my guide job and regional specialist activities. As I mentioned, I am as a licensed guide and event organizer which I think it might have attracted Learning Adventure to find me eligible for covering Korea as regional specialist. I’m always thinking of things that I should do right and keep my dignity that would value me and my country that I am representing as a guide.
Regional Expert

Fly Yu

Fly by name – Fly by nature… In between running marathons around the world, founding her own charity for the elderly in China, and playing top class badminton, Fly has been an indispensable member of the team from our very first days!

 

Regional Specialist

Paul Ronan

If you ever need someone to tie a strong knot for you, Paul’s your guy. After college, Paul found himself work a wide range of jobs from leading horseback trips in Colorado, leading month long canoe expeditions in northern Minnesota, to sea kayaking trips in Vietnam. He recently went for a two year walking expedition across the Silk Road covering 9,000 km by way of China to Turkey. Now Paul is based in Yangshuo China and is over seeing the operations of the East Asia trips at TLA.

Regional Expert

Katsumi Hachiya

Pre-Covid, Katsumi was one of the top Adventure Leaders in Japan providing the best service for family and school trips. Now he is as a Japan Regional Expert and ensures high quality for trips. However, he still sometimes plays the Adventure Leader role on the field.  Why does he wear an outfit like this with a sword?  Search “IAIDO” – something he enjoys!

Marketing Executive

Jess Ennis

When she’s not working in marketing at The Learning Adventure, Jess loves to travel the world herself. She’s a self-confessed foodie, and roams around whenever she can in search of the elusive ‘best dinner ever’. But if she’s not on a plane, train, or automobile, you’ll find Jess with her head in a book or her eyes on a cinema screen.
Educational Tour Specialist

James McGeown

James has worked within the educational travel sector for around 15 years. Having been on the ground for much of that time, he truly understands the pressures and joys of travelling with a group of young minds! With 35 countries visited and still counting, you will find James over in Asia, based in our Ho Chi Minh City office.
Education Experience Manager

Alex Bycroft

Alex has been living in China since 2017, working in education and education technology institutions in Shanghai. If not working, you’ll find Alex playing table tennis, eating Xiao Long Bao, or in the gym! Alex has travelled to over 30 countries and always does his best to learn the native language of any country he visits – he’s fluent in Mandarin and is still learning every day.

Speak to our team

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NAFSA educational tours

London

The Learning Adventure
133 Whitechapel High Street London, E1 7QA

+44 (0)20 3817 5974

ABTA

Boston

The Learning Adventure 51 Melcher St
Boston, MA 02210

+1 (617) 334 7755

Shanghai

The Learning Adventure
Rm. 202, Building 4, 689 Xinhu Rd Baoshan District, Shanghai, PR, China

+86 021 61 50 32 00