As Edu-Odyssey’s Lead Program Director, Jennifer Norris has spent over a decade developing educational programs throughout Southeastern Asia, Eastern Asia, and the Mediterranean regions. She graduated with an International MBA from National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan and earned a BA in English Language and Literature from UINDY in Athens, Greece. She is an active member of the Gap Year Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Knowing first-hand the benefits of studying abroad and experiencing other cultures, she designs, oversees and facilitates Edu-Odyssey’s independent programs.

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“What transforms this world is — knowledge.” - Yukio Mishima

Jean-Paul was born in South Africa and has since lived in Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand and, currently, Canada. Once an international student himself, Jean-Paul has gone on to work in education at the secondary and tertiary level across South East Asia for over 10 years. He is also the founder of Moutonco, a consulting agency focussed on social justice. Jean-Paul is passionate about creating opportunities for young people to explore countries and cultures aside from their own. Through the first hand experience and humility that comes from compassion and understanding across geographic and social divides, he contends that tomorrow’s leaders will be better equipped to solve the interconnected challenges facing the globe.

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“Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends” – Maya Angelou

Lauren Cockrell has taught internationally in Taiwan, Singapore and Greece and led excursions through Turkey, Japan and Thailand. She is fundamental in helping Edu-Odyssey to develop and run it’s programs with sensitivity towards local cultures. She has also been responsible for the on-site comfort and convenient assimilation of students into their new study abroad environment. In the top of her class, she earned her BA with honors in Criminal Justice from New Mexico State University.

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“Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life- and travel- leaves marks on you.” -Anthony Bourdain

​Ziya studied Economics at Eskisehir University prior to working and traveling through several countries including his native Turkey, South Africa, Greece, and Taiwan. He helps to coordinate programs and ensure the educational goals of Edu-Odyssey are being carried out between locations. He is an ardent creative writer, aficionado of Middle Eastern folk music and shoestring world explorer.

Tony has a strong background in sports science and tourism, and speaks English, Greek and Serbian. With a BS is sports Science, he has worked in education, where he has been able to share his knowledge and enthusiasm for sports and tourism with others. He believes that traveling and education are both essential for personal growth and development. He has seen firsthand the transformative power of both, and encourages others to pursue both as well. He believes that traveling broadens one's perspective and expands one's understanding of the world, while education equips one with the knowledge and skills to make the most of those experiences.

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"Travel and education are the two wings of the same bird of discovery."