ACIS Staff Spotlight: Victoria Maniscalco

1. Tell us about yourself. What’s your role at ACIS?

Hi! My name is Victoria and I am an International Program Manager here at ACIS. I work closely with teachers to guide them through the trip planning process from itinerary selection to return flight. In my spare time, I’m an avid reader so please give me your book recommendations! I’m extremely passionate about travel (shocker, I know,) and am excited to share that with you!

2. Tell us about your travel history. How do you believe travel changes lives?

I credit my passion for travel largely with the trip to Ireland I took with my high school choir. Traveling outside of the country jolted me out of my suburban, high school bubble. Driving on the left side of the road, seeing Gaelic translations underneath highway signs, hearing poets advertise their collections on the streets of Dublin; I was completely inspired. I ended up writing my college admission essay on that trip.

After graduating from high school, I enrolled in a French immersion program in Paris, where I fell in love with Parisian culture and the French language. At the end of my nine months abroad, I was shocked at how much my French had improved, and I was more than eager to return. And two years later I was back—living in the communal dormitories of Paris, attending French university classes, and traveling as much as I could during the weekends.

After graduating from college, I was prepared to move to France and teach English by Fall of 2020. However, when Spring of 2020 rolled around, international travel was out of the question. So I did the next best thing, and I enrolled in Boston University’s Master’s program for Linguistics. The study of language—all the different ways that people communicate around the world—fueled my passion for travel even more.   

I was lucky enough to get to travel in my youth, and I know firsthand how much travel can impact someone’s life. Travel has completely changed my life by being a never-ending beacon of curiosity, discovery, and humanity. 

3. What’s your dream next travel destination?

I would love to get to explore Northern Africa, specifically Morocco and Tunisia. While I was abroad, some of my closest friends I made were from there and I’d love to be able to visit their home countries!

4. How do you work with teachers to ensure they have the best trip possible?

I really value the relationships that I build with my traveling teachers. Making sure that you feel comfortable and encouraged to come to me with any question, big or small, ultimately makes for a smoother planning process. For me, understanding why you’ve chosen to travel and what your goals are for you and your students is essential in planning an unforgettable trip. Trust is also extremely important—travel can be unpredictable, so in those moments of uncertainty it’s good to know that we have your back and we are looking out for you and your students.

5. What’s a planning tip you always give to teachers?

Always leave some breathing room during your itineraries. I know that it’s so tempting to try and do as much as possible, but leaving free time, even just a couple of hours, allows you and your group to explore the destination in your own unique way. Just like how some of the best learning happens outside of the classroom, some of the most impactful travel moments for your students happen in between activities.

6. What’s a travel tip you would give in general?

Bring a travel journal! There’s nothing better than laying down at the end of an activity-filled day and spilling it all into your journal while the memories are still fresh in your mind. It’s a great way to reflect on everything you’ve seen, learned, eaten, smelled, etc.! I like to save business cards, train stubs, maybe even a foreign candy wrapper and glue it in there as well. And on rainy days when you’re back at home, it’s nice to flip through a miniature scrapbook of your days abroad, and who knows, maybe it’ll help get the wheels turning for planning your next trip.