Our Team

Elaina Kropf

Elaina’s love of travel began on a high school group trip to Northern France, which inspired her to study abroad in Cannes, France. After receiving her BA in International Relations and French at the College of St. Benedict, she returned to France for an internship with the Cannes Film Festival. Along with extensive travels through Europe, Elaina has also visited New Zealand, Australia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and China, meeting amazing friends along the way. When she’s not traveling, you can find Elaina chasing her two kids or Goldendoodle, Gnarly, or trying to find the best Thai food in Minneapolis.

Gabriel Alvarez

Gabriel is based in Missouri and is a member of our Academic Relations team. Gabriel studied Business Marketing and is eager to share his experiences in Colombia and South Africa.

Gabriel’s travel advice? “Take detours! Sometimes the greatest experiences aren't at the typical tourist sites. One of my personal favorite things to do is to try to find a soccer game and really connect with the locals!"

Francesca Marelli

Francesca is based in Italy and is a member of our Academic Relations and Operations teams. Francesca studied Foreign Languages with a focus on International Management. She is eager to share her once-in-a-lifetime experience as a World Endeavors volunteer in Africa, leaving her heart in Arusha, Tanzania. She has also enjoyed exploring Dublin, Paris, Norway and the US. Francesca loves dancing, traveling and talking to people. She truly believes in the power of kindness.

When it comes to travel, Francesca’s main recommendation is: “Be flexible, be open to new cultures, and appreciate every single moment of your experience, because you’re definitely gonna miss it once you come back!”