About Us
The Team
We have a young team of dedicated travelers ready to make your next school trip a memorable experience for you and your students.
GO guides you through every step of the school trip planning process. You can customize all or parts of your trip. Or simply choose one of our Pick, Click & GO programs if you wish for an economical and quick trip planning. Planning can be daunting but all our efforts are channeled to make it easier on you.
Start with a ‘live’ evening parent meeting. Our owner is usually the one who presents the trip and then takes questions about the trip from the parents.
Learn how you can earn GO Travel Scholarships to help reduce the price of travel for your students.
Some states are re-introducing civics as part of the curriculum and our Travel Scholars program is being rolled out for Washington DC, then NYC and Boston in 2020.
GO Leaders
Our GO Leaders are part of the GO Mission of creating memorable travel experiences for students, parents and teachers.
SAFETY
Everyday starts with Safety and Security. They do the daily safety briefing and review with the group. It is our most important concern.
ENERGY & A SMILE
They engage students in the trip, bring energy and fun on each day.
TRIP MANAGER
They help you, the organizer, enjoy the trip. Managing the small and big details so you can enjoy your time with your students.
TRIP SUCCESS
9 out of 10 teachers say our GO Leaders are indispensable to the success of their trip.
GO Travel Scholarships
We pioneered the Travel Scholarships. We believe students should benefit from lower travel costs.
Refer any educator or organizer and get up to $1,000 for your school.
We’re here to create memorable travel experiences at an affordable price.
Start planning today.
Plan a TripOur Team
Michaela Ruffino
Executive Manager
Michaela describes herself as having a young soul with a destiny to travel the world. Originating from the south suburbs of Chicago, Michaela has adapted her life style to the East Coast. Rhode Island has truly captured a place in her heart, however the sandy beaches and sunshine rays will always be number one. Graduating from Johnson & Wales University, she has obtained a degree in Baking & Pastry Arts and Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Management. With Michaela’s passion to travel the world and guide students along with her, she strongly agrees with Henry Miller, “One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.”
Sarah Hessasta
Educational Travel Specialist
“I am a Travel Specialist and Intern Coordinator with GO. I graduated from Johnson & Wales University in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Management. My favorite season is autumn, and I am an iced coffee loyalist. In my free time I love thrifting, hanging out with friends, walking, and doing yoga. The countries I’ve traveled to so far are Morocco, South Africa, Jamaica and Canada. Some dream destinations of mine to visit are Bali, Indonesia and Japan.”
Ericka Montano
Operations Leader
Ericka has been in the Travel Industry for over 20 years and a wide experience in the youth market. She is originally from Mexico City but she chose Cancun as her home in paradise. She is fully bilingual (English & Spanish) and is looking to learn Portuguese. She has a passion for traveling; loves photography. music and food.
She is a huge fan of Star Wars and Harry Potter. She also loves football and practice boxing.
Valentina Gambino
Customer Success Leader
“My name is Valentina Gambino. I was born in Italy and moved to Lexington, MA in 2000, at a very young age. Throughout my youth, I had the opportunity to travel abroad with several choral ensembles, quickly realizing that singing was one of my passions. When I travel, I enjoy learning the basics of the local language so I can befriend people I meet, but also to be able to eat my way around the world. I am a graduate of Johnson & Wales University with a Bachelor’s in Travel & Tourism and Hospitality Management. In my free time, I like to go on long walks in nature and try new foods, play the piano and volunteer at an Italian Language school teaching young children.”
Stefan Mercier
Active Ingredient
Owner and founder of GO Educational Tours.
Skiier, cyclist and travel enthusiast.
A history buff with a random knowledge of trivial trivia. An aviator at heart and plane spotter. Avid skier in winter always looking for powder. Very passionate about youth and educational travel and making sure young students get the best travel experiences.
– Favorite color: Green – Favorite game : BinGO – Favorite dance : TanGO – Favorite summer sport – GOlf – Favorite city: ChicaGO – Favorite Dodge car: DuranGO – Favorite fruit : ManGO – Favorite football Player – Barkevius MinGO – Favorite animal : GOpher – Favorite search engine : GOogle