Giselle Hopmans

When I Joined ETA & What I Love About Working Here

Professional Background

I recently joined the finance team and am excited to be growing my experience within the travel industry. I bring a detail-oriented, dependable, and service-focused approach to my work, and I genuinely enjoy helping things run smoothly behind the scenes. As I continue learning the role and getting to know the organization, I’m motivated by supporting my colleagues, creating clarity in processes, and contributing to a positive and collaborative team environment.

I work well in finance because I bring a strong attention to detail, a high sense of responsibility, and an organized approach to my work. I naturally enjoy creating structure and clarity, which helps ensure processes run smoothly and accurately. Combined with my people-focused mindset, I’m able to support both the operational and human side of financial work, approaching tasks with care, reliability, and a solution-oriented perspective.

My academic background is in physical therapy, which gave me a strong foundation in responsibility, empathy, and problem-solving. These qualities translate naturally into my work today, where I value clear communication, thoughtful organization, and being someone my team can rely on. I enjoy learning new systems, finding opportunities to improve workflows, and steadily building my knowledge of financial operations.

As an American dual citizen living abroad, I bring adaptability and a global perspective to the workplace. I enjoy being part of an international environment and appreciate the awareness and flexibility it encourages. I’m motivated by continuous learning and professional growth, and I look forward to deepening my expertise while contributing positively to the team and the organization.

Fun Facts About Giselle

Interesting Facts
At 18, I moved to another country on my own, an experience that sparked my independence and love of new perspectives.

Favorite Place Traveled:
Australia is my favorite place I’ve traveled — it felt like stepping into a movie, with incredibly friendly people, stunning nature, and the cutest wildlife.

Favorite subject to study in school:
English was my favorite subject, as I love writing, using my imagination, and expressing ideas while also being a thoughtful listener.

Most Recent Passport Stamp:
Spain.

Most unexpected moment while traveling:
One unexpected moment while traveling happened during a solo day trip to Jaffa’s historic port in Israel. Not long after I arrived, a man approached me and asked if I wanted to join a speedboat ride. My instincts kicked in, so I asked who else would be going, and after seeing a friendly mix of fellow travelers — including a couple from Texas — I decided to go for it. It turned out to be one of those spontaneous decisions that makes travel so memorable. We sped along the coast with local music playing, laughing as the waves splashed over us and everyone got completely soaked. The atmosphere was carefree and joyful, and the sense of connection with total strangers made it even more special. At the end, one of the passengers generously paid for us all to go out a second time, which made the experience feel even more surreal and fun. It’s a moment I always remember because it perfectly captured the excitement, spontaneity, and small shared connections that make traveling so rewarding.

Window seat or aisle seat?
Window seat — for the views, the photos, and the perfect place to nap.

Dream destination (not yet visited):
My dream destination is South Korea for its beautiful scenery and the chance to experience its renowned skincare and wellness culture.

Go-to travel snack:
Chex Mix — the variety makes it impossible to get bored, and I’m obsessed.

One thing I hope students gain from traveling:
I hope students walk away from traveling with at least one unforgettable moment that broadens their perspective and stays with them for life.