Michael Holzer
General Manager - The ETA Crew, NJ Office
I have lots of ideas, ambition and energy and love working in a fast-paced environment.
When I Joined ETA & What I Love About Working Here
Professional Background
I am an avid traveler. I studied computer science. I am a people person. I am always eager to learn new things. I have learned that this combination of interests and skills makes me perfect for the student travel industry! In my decades of working in the industry, I have worked alongside science teachers, restauranteurs, band directors, choir directors, bus drivers, tour guides, airline staff, hotel staff, etc. I learn from the people I work with every day and I love it!
Fun Facts About Michael
Interesting Facts
With absolutely no background or experience in agriculture, I officially became a farmer shortly after COVID. I have goats, pigs, chickens and small apple orchard. When I’m not planning travel, I’m driving my tractor, picking apples and taking care of the animals!
Favorite Place Traveled:
Italy: The food, the people and the history.
Favorite subject to study in school:
History and Science: I love learning about the past and I love learning about what makes things tick.
Most Recent Passport Stamp:
Mexico.
Most unexpected moment while traveling:
I took a trip to Peru and Bolivia, and when I arrived in La Paz, I decided to take a bus to what was then the small rural town of Rurrenabaque so I could join a tour into the Amazon. It turned out to be quite a journey, more than 20 hours by bus, with only a handful of tourists on board.
My time there was incredible, and I was able to join two different rainforest tours. When it was time to return to La Paz, I considered flying, but heavy rain had turned the runway into mud and all flights were canceled. So it was back to the bus station for another long ride through the mountains.
About 30 minutes into the return trip, our bus got stuck in the mud. We were not going anywhere. After a few minutes, passengers began climbing off the bus to push it free. I have to admit, I was not eager to jump into the mud knowing I had an overnight ride ahead of me, so I stayed on board. Thankfully, with about ten determined people pushing from behind, the bus lurched forward and we were back on our way.
Window seat or aisle seat?
Window: I fall asleep almost instantly on buses and planes.
Dream destination (not yet visited):
Japan.
Go-to travel snack:
Kind Bar – why not? Somewhat healthy and tastes great!
One thing I hope students gain from traveling:
I hope that when students travel, they change in some way. Travel can be deeply impactful when people open their minds and see the world through a lens different from their everyday perspective. When we encounter new experiences or see familiar things in a new way, it transforms us. Through that transformation, we make the world better.
