Meet our People

"It’s really friendly, like a family atmosphere here; the people have a good spirit. I enjoy my job because it is challenging day to day... they had the confidence and trust in me to let me show them what I am capable of. This weekend I will be going snowboarding with the winners of a competition we just finished!"

"Learning a language abroad is a great experience. I’m proud to be able to share that experience with others".

"Every morning I feel excited about coming to work. We’re growing so fast and it’s always challenging. Every day we learn new things from the schools and the students. One thing I really enjoy is when we head to new markets with new types of client and different needs. It is never dull here."

"I have been given an important position while still studying and appreciate the trust they have shown in me. They offered me a role that was right for me, which involves doing lots of different things. I work with PR and social networks, but my tasks have even involved organising the opening parties for new offices and other events. I love to do different things, working with different people from different backgrounds and this is really encouraged here."

"I know the world of language travel intimately, as many of my friends are still studying abroad now. The products that we offer are the best on the market and this is really important to me; I can’t sell something that I don’t believe in."

"It is a young and dynamic place to work. You can come up with an idea one day and the next day it will start to happen."

"I appreciate the dynamic environment and enjoy working with the youthful team here. The fact that I have more experience is a win/win... I have real world experience of language and the cultural experience behind it. I’ve recently been promoted to product manager of the 50+ line that we offer, corresponding to a growing demand for this type of program."

"One thing that really impresses me is the professionalism of the younger team members; they’re encouraged to test out ideas and run with them. An idea comes up, it is put into motion by one of the web planners, we work with them to create the text, pass it on to be implemented and the next idea comes along! This is a really energetic place to work."

"I like the environmental focus here. I come to work by foot each day and the office is a healthy environment in which to work."

"I can use my languages and have contact with young people from around the world. Where I work, in the Lugano office, it is small so everyone knows each other really well... it’s great to be part of such a close team. That feeling runs through the whole company; when we meet the team from head office too."

"There is always a new challenge coming up and it’s really satisfying to be a part of solving them."

“I studied tourism and working here lets me put my education into practice. There aren’t many jobs where you get to speak three or four languages each day, maybe meet people from ten different countries each day and work as part of a strong team. It’s great to feel part of a team – we are a team working in Madrid, in relation with the team of the Barcelona office. And, naturally, I visit head office in Switzerland at least twice a year so it’s always nice to meet more of my colleagues there.”

“We work closely with the Barcelona office and head office in Montreux to ensure that each student receives the same excellent level of service, wherever they are.”

“The responsibility for opening a new office was a big opportunity and I have enjoyed the challenge. I really enjoy dealing with members of the public and representing a company that is so innovative in New Media.”

“You can learn a lot about different people and cultures working for ESL. The team are young, open minded and full of ideas, which are often followed through by the company. It’s an exciting, international environment to work in.”

“I love the variety of people that I meet on a daily basis and for me that is one of the best parts of working with ESL. I love sending people off around the world to have these amazing experiences... places like Japan, New Zealand and Australia. Working here, your colleagues are really international too. I work with people from Spain, England, Switzerland, Italy and elsewhere too.”
“One of my favourite times was when the company sent me to Panama for five weeks to work in the office there. That was during my first year here. I have also been to Madrid, London and the north of England on ESL work trips, which has been fun and very useful in terms of professional experience.”
“I’m proud to see the company growing so successfully and to know that we have all played a role in that growth.”

“I am based at the head office in Montreux, working with a team of people from all over the world, which is a real pleasure. When I wake up in the morning, I don’t get that “oh, work again” feeling... I really enjoy working in such a friendly and diverse environment.”

“After all these years here, I still never get bored. Each day brings something different and interesting. I started as a counsellor, moved up to office manager and now regional manager. My job changes daily which is great because I love challenges. The company has grown so much since I started here but has managed to keep the friendly, positive atmosphere that it had when it was small. That’s a very good thing.”

“I enjoy working with such a dynamic team. Despite how much we have grown, it’s still possible to come up with creative ideas and to see them happen; it’s nice to be a part of the creative process. There’s an open-minded approach here, not only in the official stuff but in the staff too. It’s great to work with such motivated colleagues.”

“I have worked with ESL for a long time now, since the group had just three offices. We now overtook thirty around the world, including the four offices in France – in Nice, Lyon, Paris and Strasbourg – that I oversee. As the company has grown, I have had training to help manage larger teams and also sales training. I would say that one change that has come with the company’s growth is a more formal structure.”

“I love dealing with people every day and my job at ESL is perfect for that. I wouldn’t want to do anything else!”

“After six months at university, I decided that it wasn’t my thing and started looking for work. I spent a couple of months doing typical student jobs but when I saw the opening at ESL, it sounded great. A couple of years earlier, I had studied English in Malta for six months with ESL and received a really good service... I wasn’t sure where I wanted to go and my counsellor was really helpful. In the year that I have been working here, I have had the chance to visit and follow a course in Dublin and Salerno with ESL, both of which have been really enjoyable trips.”

“There is an excellent atmosphere in the office. I’m the youngest here, in a friendly and refreshing environment to work in, both in Geneva and in the Montreux head office.”

“I have been working at ESL since 2008 but it really doesn’t feel like it. Study Abroad looked like it might be an interesting industry to work in and it has proved to be just that! I have recently been promoted to Manager of ESL’s St Gallen office.”

“The regular contact we have with the students is an enjoyable part of the job. Sometimes it’s the first time that they’ve travelled and it’s a great feeling to help them on their journey. You also get to make contact with other cultures, both through the students and visits to partner schools, which are definitely a perk of the job!”

“I enjoy dealing with diverse clients every day. In a single day it can range from an eighteen year old person to over fifties, to parents arranging their kid’s first language trip. I like the young and dynamic atmosphere within the company and particularly within our office in Paris.”

“We are a smallish team but we always know that we are part of something bigger. I had training in Montreux when I started working with ESL, and have received regular training since, including conflict resolution and customer service sessions. We have a biannual “come together” event where everyone from across ESL gets meets up in Leysin or somewhere else for a party. It was nice to meet people outside of a work atmosphere.”

“I’m proud to work for a company that takes its environmental responsibilities seriously and we are always looking for new ways to implement sustainable development in the Paris office.”

“I have been with ESL for almost two years. Before working at ESL I studied English in the USA for nine months and I really enjoy sharing my enthusiasm for language travel with our customers. One of the most enjoyable things about working here is meeting the diverse, interesting customers that come into the office. Because the company is so international, I get the chance to use my language skills all the time.”

“ESL has sent me on trips to improve my knowledge of the programmes we promote and really makes an effort to make everyone feel a part of the organisation. The regular “come together” is a good example of that, where we all of the teams from across the world meet. I’m looking forward to this year’s!”

“Every aspect of my work is amazing, what I enjoy the most is that each day brings different challenges to those of the day before. I particularly take pleasure in designing new strategies to let people get to know about ESL, about our programmes, about our commitment to sustainable development. I very much enjoy getting in touch with young-spirited people who are very excited about the idea of studying abroad, people that love multicultural encounters. It is very nice as well to work with my professional and engaged staff and, of course, I have a very good time when I use my English and French language skills to communicate with our colleagues and partners around the world.”

“I am a big advocate of ESL’s sustainable development policies. I think that we are on the right path. The international education concept of today cannot be separated from an engagement to the conservation of our world environment. Through our Sustainable Development Commitment we prompt students and ourselves to think on the impact we cause in every place we visit, not only in terms of ecology but also in terms of the communities we interact and the cultures we get in touch with. Sustainable Development means developing our lives in a way without extinguishing our culture, our people, our air, our water, our trees, our animals; when we travel to study abroad to have an experience of life in other countries, we get conscious that those things we call ‘ours’ are not limited to our place of birth but that it really covers the whole world... remember, home is anywhere!”

“ESL’s approach to staff development mirrors the approach to the environment. I have received so much training while working here, including communication skills, writing skills, e-business and management. I’ve also visited a wide range of our partner schools and destinations including Argentina, England, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Panama and Switzerland.”

“I really like the way that my tasks here are so varied. Some of the marketing initiatives that I’ve been involved in include going to fairs, organising newspaper adverts and partnering up with specialist agencies to distribute materials. I also get to deal with clients and one of my favourite things about the job is meeting people. Studying English in Bournemouth as a teenager was an incredible experience for me and it’s nice to help others have their own adventures.”

“You get to meet and work with people from all over the world with ESL... you never feel isolated because of the strength of the support from within the company. You regularly speak to people all over the world. And young people are given proper responsibility... that’s really an “ESL” thing.”

“I love the contact with the people and I like making people happy - bringing them closer to their dream. Staying in a foreign country opens you the world. I love every morning coming to the office and recognizing that today will be different to yesterday. And at the end of the day ESL people are really cool people - I enjoy that team spirit.”

“I am glad to be in a company that is thinking about all aspects of sustainable development - nature and people. I have always paid attention to things like limited paper use and waste selection but the aspect of humanity is something new for me and is an important part of the sustainable development process here.”

“In my first year at ESL, I have received plenty of training, including sales, management and product sessions. I have also been on a familiarisation trip to Spain, which was great fun and very intense... it got even more intense when all the planes got stuck due to the Icelandic volcano! I guess all of us here have a common passion for travelling and, by the way, once you started you can't stop!”

“Dealing with the ESL companies, I would say that it is great to give a good service level in order to help each operate in its daily business. It is always satisfying to give correct and accurate figures to the board of directors.”

“I really enjoy counselling all of the different kinds of clients that come to ESL. It is always interesting to find out which destination best matches an individual and to see them happy at the end! It is a pleasure to learn something new every day about our planet, to give advice to our staff and have an open ear. The company has provided training in customer relations, leadership and team management.”

“I love to travel and have been on some enjoyable business trips with ESL. Malta was nice and a familiarisation trip to the UK (including London, Brighton, Eastbourne and Oxford) was a great chance to meet our partner schools and explore the destinations. Outside of work, I have also been to Chile and Thailand, which were both truly interesting.”

“What I'm enjoying most in my job is the international atmosphere at ESL. There are so many interesting, enthusiastic and innovative people within this company, which is really impressing. Furthermore, I like realizing our clients' dreams of travelling and studying. It's nice to help them realizing their plans. There is always a new challenge at ESL and it never gets boring. So far, ESL hasn't only trained me in terms of products, but also in being open to new ideas, new people and in always trying to reach one step further.”



“We also get to travel in the job. My first familiarisation trip was to Spain. We were quite a big group and had much fun in Barcelona, Valencia and Madrid. In the end of the trip, the whole group got stuck in Spain's capital due to the volcanic eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull on Iceland. But, besides this little incident, it was great to really get to know some of the destinations of our programme. It's nice to sell products which you have already discovered on your own.”

“To me it is most important to assure the smooth running of each client's stay abroad. If the clients have problems abroad they should feel comfortable to call or e-mail us and be sure that we are able to find suitable solutions to whatever problem they might encounter. Knowing that my whole team does its best everyday to ensure this is what I like most about my job.”

“Since working here, I have had the chance to travel to some cool places with work: I was part of the ESL delegation going to Malta last October and have visited the different ESL offices in Vienna, Munich and Cologne. I have also had the chance to attend several training sessions, such as sales issues, complaint procedures or improving management skills.”

“My passion for travels & languages all started when I was 19 and decided to enrol for a 6-month language course in Sydney. It was just an amazing experience, not only because I felt much more comfortable speaking English but above all because I got to meet students from all over the world, experience a new lifestyle and learn a lot about myself. On my return I decided to enter the Swiss School of Tourism in Sierre. One of the requirements to get the bachelor in tourism was to complete a one year internship which I chose to do in a tour operator in New York. So when I saw the advert for the position in the admission department of ESL, it was obvious that the job was made for me. Today I’m glad and proud to say that I’ve been part of the ESL family since 2003.”

“One of the great things while working at ESL is to be able to visit our partner schools. The most interesting trips I did are: a week in China followed by a week in Japan, twice 3 weeks around Australia, a month around the US. In addition, every year I have the chance to attend a workshop, such as IALC workshop in Galway in 2010, Alphe workshop in London in 2009 or ICEF Berlin in 2008 to name a few”

“There are many things I like about my job but I guess that the most interesting is to work in a company that is continuously growing and trying to improve its services. I also enjoy particularly being in contact with our partner schools, making sure our students receive the best service and the attention they deserve. The most rewarding part of my job is reading the feedback of our students and imagining they had the best time of their life, as I did while I studied in Australia!”

“I love to sell... and I really love selling language travel! I get great pleasure from interacting with our clients and working with my colleagues here in Lausanne and within the wider company. Part of my responsibility is for coaching the language travel consultants in my office and it’s always a pleasure to pass on the knowledge that I have gained during my career to date. I have also received training in communication, sales and managing complaints.”

“I am pleased to be working at a company that is serious about the environment as is actually taking the lead in doing something about it. As a company that deals with the public, we have a big communication power; the fact that we use it to promote sustainable development is something that everyone in the company can be proud of.”

“My favourite thing about working here is the contact that you have with clients and people all over the world. ESL has lots of offices around Europe and beyond so you get to meet some interesting people within the company. Of all the training that I’ve received since working here (products, meetings, collaboration), probably the most important lessons have been in friendship.” .”

“When you deal with schools around the world, it is important to stay up to date with what is going on in each location. I have been to different workshops and familiarisation trips, some alone, some with colleagues. It’s always enjoyable because the schools really lay it on during the visits! I’ve been to Ireland, Spain, Malta...”

“Studying in Spain was a great experience. I learnt a lot, met wonderful people and saw some amazing places. During my education I had many opportunities to study abroad, mostly English and Spanish. While studying, during the summer seasons I went to Dublin and London, where I also found a job. Then I took Spanish courses in Seville, Madrid and Valencia. Since working at ESL, I have taken an English course in New York in order to sample our products! Working here seemed like an excellent fit.”


“As responsible of the office I have to deal with the daily duties. It’s very important to have everything well organized, to make things work and respect deadlines. Then, a particular attention goes to the general atmosphere of the office. I do my best to create a pleasant environment in the office, where we can perform our job in the most friendly and enjoyable way. I like to talk to people and help them to organize their trips. I like to work in this field where there is always something new to learn... it’s exciting working in a young and growing international company.”

“When you are passionate about languages and travelling, working in the language travel industry is perfect! At ESL, I have been given plenty of responsibility from the start, which I really like. You have to be brave sometimes and take big decisions, but you also get plenty of support from Head Office in Montreux. Because they organise lots of training, it keeps us all up to date and involved... this helps with making those decisions! The international trips that we make to improve our product knowledge are also enjoyable... I was really surprised on a recent trip to the north of England to see how strong a region for language schools it is.”

“I like to do different things, and we certainly get plenty of daily variety here. As well as helping clients, managing the local team and overseeing the office, I am responsible for marketing in the region and representing the company at fairs. Because we are relatively new in the Belgian market, everything evolves quickly and it’s exciting to be a part of the growth. ESL staff are young, dynamic and, most of all, really friendly.”

“I work with fantastic people who are fully committed to their work and every day I’m challenged with new situations and tasks. This combination drives me forward. I been given management and sales training, but have learned an incredible amount on the job. No matter if from accounting, marketing, PR, HR or from the management board, my colleagues push and challenge me every day.”

“Working here, I have had the chance to find new partner schools in Colombia, Panama, the USA and Australia. I have also visited key partner schools in England, Ireland, Scotland and France. We work with over 300 schools worldwide, so there are still many places to go and to look forward to!”

“One thing that I really respect here is the company’s approach to sustainable development. I believe that it is our responsibility, especially in developed countries, to incorporate sustainability in everyday process, service and product. Only leaders think about others and their environment. We are a leader.”

“I love travelling, I love learning languages and the combination of these two things... I think it's just great. So, what I love about my job is to have the chance to encourage people to have the same experience that I had in Melbourne. Living and studying overseas is an experience of a lifetime and I like the idea of being able to help people to reach it.”

“When I started working at ESL they asked me to go to Montreux almost the first week! That was just perfect because I didn't have much experience in this particular sector (apart from my own experience) and with the one week training that I received, I could learn much more about all destinations and schools offered by ESL, ESL values and the way the company works. Moreover, I met the people I was going to work with and we had the chance to have some fun together in the Come Together in Leysin.”

“I am happy seeing people evolve with the organisation and being able to provide the tools and means for paving their personal path at ESL. I enjoy the great learning and growth opportunities ESL offers. It is nice to show them to others / encourage others to take them. I have received HR training which led to an HR certificate, management training, project management training and training which helps me to teach the apprentices.”

“As HR, I have the responsibility to pass on information to the staff about our sustainable development actions. When I start to work at ESL I was really impressed by all the actions they do in this area and today a lot of others are planning to be develop. I am confident that ESL will be a model for sustainable development in its industry.”