2012 is Monique Schmidt's fifth summer as a VISIONS leader. She previously led programs in Guadeloupe for three seasons and on Montana’s Blackfeet Indian Reservation two summers. She cannot wait to reunite with close friends in Petite Anse and to share her love for les Saintes with VISIONS participants in Guadeloupe this summer.

Monique Schmidt grew up on a farm in South Dakota. As a child she sometimes daydreamed of places far away from her prairie home. During college Monique got her chance to travel at large to Tokyo and to France where she spent her junior year at the University of Grenoble. After graduating with honors in French and Communications from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, Monique went to Paris where she worked for the American Institute of Foreign Studies.

What distinguishes VISIONS among teen community service programs is the longevity of service and high caliber of our summer leaders. We are blessed yearly with dozens of qualified applicants; the sheer volume makes the hiring process challenging, if not painstakingly time consuming. We speak to three work references for every applicant considered, asking over a dozen skills-focused questions. We ask even more questions of our applicants in their interviews in person, via telephone or Skype. Fortunately, the lengthy process is offset by an annual staff return rate of roughly 50%.

A characteristic shared by veteran VISIONS leaders is that they came to us primarily not "for travel and to see the world" but for their intentional attraction to our mission. Two exemplary leaders are Ryan Durkopp and Annie Nagy, VISIONS' long-time Guadeloupe co-directors. In their own academic and professional pursuits each is amazing. Together, Ryan and Annie have delivered an impressive one-two punch as stewards of VISIONS Guadeloupe, marrying their PhD and professional pursuits with their ongoing commitment to VISIONS.

We liked this email from our archives from a Participant to her Guadeloupe leaders because she shares an unusually helpful bonus she got from her teen summer travel to VISIONS Guadeloupe.

Dear Annie and Ryan,

I have been meaning to email both of you over the past week and I’m sorry that I didn’t get around to it sooner. I just wanted to say a quick hello and let you know how much you both influenced me this summer and how I will always remember our tip to Guadeloupe as one of the most special moments in my life. I truly enjoyed every minute of it and I will never forget either one of you and how much you’ve impacted me.