Experiential Tour Host

Contract Based | Reports to the Experiential Tours Department

Company & Position Summary

Living & Learning International (L&LI) is a faith-based study abroad and mission trip provider. We work with 60+ institutions across the United States in semester, internship, and short-term study abroad programs.

L&LI is looking for Experiential Tours Hosts for its domestic and international study tours and mission trips. L&LI Experiential Tours collaborates with colleges/universities, high schools, churches, and organizations around the world to design mission and academically-focused programs. Experiential Tours typically range from 1-4 weeks with anywhere from 8 to 40 travelers. 

Although a contract position, the Experiential Tours Host is a representative of Living & Learning International. The host is assigned to lead a short-term team(s) and will receive virtual and in-person training before the team’s arrival. The host will oversee the team’s logistics during travel, manage finances while hosting the team, and be responsible for the team’s experience from when they arrive in-country to when they depart. Tasks and responsibilities may include: 

Position Responsibilities

  • Participate in the L&LI Host Virtual Training annually and obtain CPR and First Aid certification.

  • Be responsible for set-up before the team's arrival. This will include tasks such as preparing accommodations, buying food, purchasing public transportation cards, picking up the team from the airport, etc. 

  • Depending on the team, the host will be required to arrive 1 day before the team’s arrival in-country to get all things arranged in advance. 

  • Be responsible for all leadership, care, and decision-making for the team while in-country, including facilitation of the itinerary, assigning and supervision of all support staff (i.e. assistants, interns, translators, vendors, etc.) 

  • Work in partnership with the team leader in assessing the needs of the team and making schedule/ministry decisions and adjustments accordingly. 

  • Ensure the occurrence of a thorough orientation and debriefing. This may include leading team debriefs nightly. Connect with the team leader on their preference. 

  • Manage the team budget, track all team receipts, update team expense report regularly, and account for the necessary remaining cash balance. Any monetary discrepancies will become the host's responsibility. 

  • Depending on the level of the local language, the team host may be required to translate for the team. 

  • Be accountable to and debrief with the Experiential Tours team for the completion of all tasks related to the team. 

Required Qualifications & Expectations

  • Demonstrate a solid Christian testimony at all times 

  • Excellent interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills 

  • Group travel experience (first-time hosts are not permitted to lead a team on their own) 

  • Experience working with both youth and adults 

  • Travel experience 

  • Fluent in English (speak, read, write)

Desired Qualifications

  • Tour leader and group facilitation experience

  • Experience managing budgets in a group setting

  • Fluent in a second language (speak, read, write)

Application Process

Round 1: Apply here to be an Experiential Tours Host. Please note an application is not complete until two references are completed and a resume is uploaded. Applications will be open every year from July - September for team placement in the following academic year. 

Round 2: Interview with the L&LI Experiential Tours Team. If you make it to this round, you will be contacted for an interview.

Team Assignments & Compensation

When assigned to host a team, you will receive a Host Contract from L&LI’s Experiential Tours team. Your contract will include your team name, dates of travel, and payment. You are not committed to the program until the contract is signed and returned. Please note that your payment for hosting the team will not be received until the team departs, all required tasks have been completed, team finances are accounted for, and you have debriefed with a representative of the Experiential Tours team.

Compensation payment is based on program length and will be shared in a Host Contract document when assigned to a team.

Host Onboarding

Eight Month Prior: Hosts are assigned to their teams and contracts are shared. 

Three Months Prior: You will be required to go through L&LI’s Experiential Tours general host training three months prior to leading your team. This will be done fully online and proof of completion must be shared with the L&LI Experiential Tours team. 

Two Months Prior: Participate in a general all-host training call for those leading a team in your same month. This will be a time to ask questions, pray together, and get excited!

One Month Prior: At this point you will be trained for your specific program in detail. You will also be asked to virtually meet your team leaders to ensure a smooth team dynamic during travel.