Tina Montana

As a Brooklyn, NY native, Tina became very interested in the world around her through taking language classes in high school. Learning French came easily to her, becoming a prominent part of her studies as she entered college.

While earning her BA in International Business and French at Hofstra University,  Tina took her first international trip to Nice, France where she lived with a host family for a ten week summer program. Here, she was introduced to a culture unlike her own, immersing herself in the life of an exchange student by visiting art museums, trying local foods and venturing into surrounding nature - the French Alps.

Upon graduating, Tina began her career in finance for an international Fortune 100 company in New York. After five years in the business, her work took her around the world for two decades, where she lived overseas in Brazil, Hong Kong, Japan, Switzerland, Belgium and Argentina.

Tina was always curious about her new surroundings and loved living life as a local. While residing in each country, she would immediately learn the language (as much as possible), gaining a greater insight into the culture. Overall, Tina has become fluent in Spanish, French & Portuguese, and also speaks basic Cantonese & Japanese.

Additionally, Tina joined many “newcomers” clubs for newly arrived residents to meet for monthly cultural lessons and excursions in their host country. Overtime, she started a travel group to escort newcomers  on various  local and international regional adventures. Her favorites include a ski trip to Chile in July, a hiking pilgrimage in Bhutan and a visit to the Venice Biennale in Italy.

Since returning home to the USA in 2016, her passion for traveling and learning about various cultures is ever present.  She has travelled to 80 countries and counting!  Since 2017, she has worked for Valerie Wilson Travel, a NYC based leader in luxury travel.  Recently, she started taking an interest in immersive nature travel- becoming an Expedition Specialist in the polar regions and Space Travel.