Alex
Sydneysider Alex studies International Commerce at the University of Sydney and lives in Bondi, so she knows Sydney very well. Although she is a native Aussie, she went to a British school in Holland, so understands all things British too. She is really friendly and loves meeting new groups of Brits wanting to work and live in her hometown of Sydney.

Alex
Sydneysider Alex studies International Commerce at the University of Sydney and lives in Bondi, so she knows Sydney very well. Although she is a native Aussie, she went to a British school in Holland, so understands all things British too. She is really friendly and loves meeting new groups of Brits wanting to work and live in her hometown of Sydney.

Alex
Chloe will be a great and friendly support to you when you arrive in Sydney. She knows the city very well and will meet you on arrival at Sydney airport and will make you feel at ease in your new home. She loves meeting new groups of people wanting to work and live in her hometown.

Joanna
Australia's an easy place to adjust to, but there may still be times when you want a bit of advice or help. Our Outback participants end up working all over the country, so you won't have a rep nearby as with our other placements. Instead, you'll have access to support from Joanna and her team in Goomeri - plus 24 hour help from us in the UK, should you need it.

Rachel
American citizen Rachel lives in Sao Paulo with her Brazilian husband Marco and their two school-age boys. She speaks Portuguese fluently, runs a shoe-making business and has a background in education. She’s closely involved with Oyster-supported projects, among others in the city.

Kristina
Although Kristina is British and was educated in England, she’s a Carioca - born in Rio - and has lived in Brazil all her life. She has three university age kids and is passionately involved in working with young people in her home city.

Alison
Alison, a born West Coast Canadian, first came to The Rockies, in the spring of 1999 as a summer student, working in the hotel industry. She enjoyed it so much she came back again the following year! Alison now calls The Rockies her home and is looking forward to sharing this beautiful part of the world with you. Alison still works in hospitality, as part of the marketing team for a local company. She has a happy dog, two friendly cats and loves the outdoors.

Cynthia
Cynthia helped us set up our Tremblant placements in 2006 and has been our representative ever since. She has grown-up children and runs a real estate business with her partner, Pierre. Good news for our participants: you not only get a sympathetic ear from someone who is used to young adults, you get the best accommodation going!

Tory
Dual-national Tory (she is British and Canadian) took her gap year in Tremblant, went back to the UK to complete her degree and returned to Whistler to become a ski instructor. She is married to Mike, one of Whistler’s most respected ski instructors, and she now works as a sales manager at a local hotel. She has been our representative since 2004 and knows what she’s talking about, having done it herself!

Jacqueline and Ian
The British couple have lived and worked in Chile for many years with their young family. They live just outside Coyhaique, where Ian runs his consultancy in Outdoor Education and Conservation, and Jacqueline is a Primary teacher who also runs the Spanish course, so you’ll see a lot of her from the start.

Karen Herring
Karen took a career break in Borneo a few years ago and has never looked back. Karen has lived in Madurai for 3 years and loves it there. She works alongside Pradeep as our Representative. Karen loves animals, reading and watching movies.

Pradeep Kumar
Pradeep is a keen musician and particularly enjoys playing his trumpet. He is looking forward to welcoming you to Madurai on arrival and being there for you as our Representative in India alongside Karen. Pradeep speaks perfect English and is an English Literature Graduate.

Margaret
Your first contact will be with the clinic and its head Margaret who will be there to assist with any queries. Margaret is very knowledgeable and as a local person will be able to help with any concerns.The veterinary clinic will be overseeing your time in Jordan and the very helpful staff will be there to answer questions.

Gill
Gilly is British but grew up in Kenya, in the Aberdare Highlands, knows everyone and has lived for many years in Nanyuki, where she and her husband farm cattle. She is a keen member of the community; you couldn’t be in better hands.

Basant
Basant has been our Nepal Representative since 2000 and has nurtured over 100 Oyster volunteers. Half Tibetan and half Nepali, he was brought up and educated in India. He has lived in Kathmandu all his working life and is married to Prerana (daughter of a British Gurkha) with a young son called Kundun. Basant runs a trekking company and combines being our man on the ground with organising the Himalayan trek, Tibet tour, rafting and safari.

Razvan
A perfect English speaker and probably the most dynamic person you will ever meet, Razvan has run our Romania programme since 2003. A veteran rep - he has dealt with almost 200 volunteers so far - he always goes way beyond his Oyster job description, organising wonderful trips (to Dracula’s castle and the Black Sea among others) for participants. He was personally involved in the fundraising and subsequent building of one local orphanage and champions both the bear sanctuary and children’s homes.

Nick
Nick, who runs the sporting programme, is our local representive in Port Elizabeth. He'll meet you at the airport, get you settled in and will liaise with Oyster about your welfare and progress while you are there. You'll also be supported by colleagues Hannah and Kurt who live at your accommodation.

Madeline
Mads, as she is known, has been with us since our first volunteers turned up in Arusha in 2000. A New Zealander with three young kids, one more on the way and - luckily - a great sense of humour, she is married to a Dutch export farmer named Ekko. She loves the Oyster job because it gives her strong links with local school and projects, many of which she has independently raised money for via the expat community.

Kirsty
Born and raised in the UK, Kirsty has spent much of her adult life working as a chartered surveyor in various parts of Africa. She lives on a farm outside Livingstone with her husband, two kids and a menagerie! She is involved in community projects in Livingstone and feels that Oyster volunteers can really make a difference in Zambia, where she has seen first-hand the effects of HIV/Aids and poverty.