Seniorcounselors | Staff | Travel for Teens

Mateal Lovaas holds a BA in International Studies from Middlebury College and is studying for a MFA in Creative Writing and Environment at Iowa State University. She has taught English, history, and drama at the middle, high school, and college levels. Mateal has traveled to or lived in over 40 countries, including semesters in France, Cameroon, and Bolivia, as well as four years residing in South Africa. Mateal has a passion for fiction, photography, cooking, languages, scuba-diving, Buddhism, and yoga.

Jon Bolick of Hickory, North Carolina attends the prestigious International Business School of the University of South Carolina, where he was awarded an academic scholarship. A former participant, he returns for his fourth summer with TFT in the role of Senior Counselor.

Max Steen, from Red Bank, NJ, graduates in 2012 with a double major in Music Business and Sound Engineering at the University of New Haven. Having traveled with TFT as a participant , then a CIT, then a Junior Counselor, he will join us for his seventh year serving as a Senior Counselor.

Giulia Laveto is a native of Verona, Italy and has a degree in Educational Science from the University of Verona. She is passionate about cooking and photography, skills that are certainly enhanced by her love of traveling! Giulia will be back with TFT for her second summer in 2012.

Allison Vila, our office assistant, spent the first 14 years of her life in France before moving to the United States with her family. When not helping out in the office, Allison is a student at West Chester University where she is a Languages major. Fluent in French, holding dual citizenship, Allison will be a Junior Counselor in Paris this year.

Danielle DuFermont graduated from The College of New Jersey with a degree in Education and Psychology, and she is currently a middle school math teacher in Central New Jersey. Her hobbies include camping, running, swimming, and just about anything outdoorsy. She has worked at travel camps for the past 3 summers and can't wait to join the TFT team.

Deanna Goldner is pursuing an MSW from Columbia University's School of Social Work. She studied abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina and fell in love with the Spanish language and culture. After graduating from the University of Maryland in 2009, Deanna taught English in Seville, Spain for a year. Deanna's passions include: running, yoga, journal writing, and flamenco dancing! This is Deanna's first summer with TFT and she's excited to create a meaningful adventure!

Lydia Stephens is from the UK and has a degree in Thai and South East Asian Studies from the University of Leeds. She spent a year studying language and culture at Chiang Mai University, in Northern Thailand. She has travelled extensively throughout Asia and has taught English in Thailand for a year.