Wanna come join the Topdeck Crew? From Trip Leaders to Chefs to Coach Drivers, Topdeck are now recruiting for awesome new Road Crew. Best job ever, right?! To get you inspired, we’ve got the third instalment of our new Road Crew Inspiration Blog Series where we’ll be answering that all important question: what’s it like to be a Topdeck Trip Leader?
Each week, we’ll be interviewing a member of the Topdeck Crew and learning all about what they do, giving you some Road Crew Inspiration. Come have a read.
Alyse Leitao, Topdeck Trip Leader.
Alyse is a Kiwi who has just finished her third year as a Trip Leader with Topdeck. She has a degree in Art History and European Politics, and first travelled to Europe to represent New Zealand for the United Nations youth programme in the Netherlands.
We had a chat with Alyse about her experience as a Topdeck Trip Leader.
1. How did you first hear about Topdeck?
The big OE is a seminal Kiwi experience, so I know people who’ve been on Topdeck trips as far back as the ’80s!
2. What made you want to become a Trip Leader?
It was a job I never realised was everything I ever wanted to do, until I applied! I am so passionate about travel, European history, people, and just making the most out of life. And here was a job where I would get paid to do what I love.
I’ve always been a pretty free spirited person, spontaneous, independent; so I guess life on the road was inevitable for me.
3. What’s the most rewarding part of being a Trip Leader?
The friendships I’ve made. Not just ‘holiday friends’ but Crew and passengers who have honestly become like family.
It’s also hard to beat having someone tell you that you’ve changed their life, or found their own new passion for travel and/or history. Seeing that spark ignite in them is always special. Talk about Road Crew Inspiration!
4. Where have you been that’s taken your breath away?
Sailing in Greece. Cruising around on the bluest water with the sun on your skin and the wind in your hair is incredible.
Dubrovnik sunsets. The Colosseum. The Sagrada Família. There are so many special moments when I think about it!
5. What’s a crazy/amazing thing that’s happened to you on the road?
Where to start? Spontaneous adventures leading to VIP parties, stumbling into the world’s top DJs as we pass through a city, skydiving over the Swiss Alps, and that’s just for starters.
My whole life is kind of a whirlwind of amazing opportunities and stories that leave me asking: ‘what even is life?’ Like, no complaints, but what did I do right to end up here?!
6. What’s one thing you pack every time you head out on the road?
One main thing for me to have on the road is music. So, packing headphones and downloading all of my Spotify playlists so I can access them offline is a must.
Certain songs just colour cities for me, or bring back memories of particular trips and people.
7. What’s the one thing that’ll never be the same now you’ve been a Trip Leader?
After this, I don’t think I’ll ever really stop being a bit restless and looking for the next adventure. The idea of staying in one place for more than a week feels crazy to me now.
I guess there’ll always be a part of me that just wants to be on the road.
8. What’s your number one piece of advice for new travellers?
It’s a classic: plan for the worst and hope for the best! Go in optimistic, positive and open to everything but be smart, know some basic things about where you’re going and let people know where you’re going to be.
On that note, if anything goes wrong while you’re travelling, just remember that when it’s all over it’ll just have been a hiccup, but a great story!
9. What’s your party trick to get the Topdeckers pumped for their trip?
I like to think that no party tricks are required, ha! My groups are always pumped to get going, and I’m always so excited to show them the world that I love.
Positivity and passion is contagious!
10. If you could teleport anywhere in the world right now where would you go?
I’m currently in Barcelona on a Friday, so honestly I’m pretty happy where I am!
Maybe I could teleport my friends and family to come and join me here instead?
Been inspired having found out what’s it like to be a Topdeck Trip Leader? Become part of the Topdeck Road Crew and apply now!
Wanna come travel with Topdeck? We’ll see ya on the road.
