Carrie Fraus

When I Joined ETA & What I Love About Working Here

Professional Background

I’ve been traveling my whole life. I was 5 days old for my first airplane ride, when my dad had to return a plane, so we flew it to church. Normal things. I come from a traveling family, my aunt has been interviewed by Rick Steve’s about her books on Mexico, my uncle has been leading student tours since before I was born! Both sets of my grandparent’s spent significant time in Asia with missions and the Red Cross. I’m most at home, not at home, (I’m sure there is a psychological problem with that, but it’s true!).

I went to university in Texas, I’ve studied in Spain, worked for IBM in Germany, taught for a spell in the states, and then I’ve been a Tour Manager/Guide/Director for the past 20 years. (aka the invisible bridge, necessary, but customers don’t need to see the details!) I also work in transportation for global events like the Olympics, World Cup, Final Four, etc.

In 2018, I got married and liked being home with him, so I came into the office to build the tours! I’m also still a licensed guide in DC and NY (with a star! Meaning I got most of the questions correct on the test….yes, there is a test.).

Fun Facts About Carrie

Interesting Facts
I’ve been to all 50 states.

Favorite Place Traveled:
Impossible question. South of France is my happy place, I can’t get enough Iceland, Christmas in Germany is a dream, and South America is magical.

Favorite subject to study in school:
Foreign Languages, communication is clutch. One year in school I went from German to French to Spanish to lunch to Spanish again-it was amazing.

Most Recent Passport Stamp:
Mexico. I had to look because they don’t stamp them every time anymore!

Most unexpected moment while traveling:
Spending Groundhog Eve at the home of Punxsutawney Phil’s handler, he was one of the “Inner Circle”, PLUS I got to wear his top hat, and he made us goody bags for our trip to Gobbler’s Knob the next morning.

Window seat or aisle seat?
Aisle. I’d rather be inconvenienced than to inconvenience.

Dream destination (not yet visited):
Everywhere? Churchill, Manitoba to see the polar bears, Botswana to see ALL the animals, and Namibia to see the seals!

Go-to travel snack:
Cheez its and Peanut M&M’s. Why? To quote Joanne…”I don’t make the rules”

One thing I hope students gain from traveling:
That the world is bigger than themselves, and listening matters.