Flywire has long been committed to giving back to the communities we serve. Whether through our Foundation, charitable giving, or volunteerism, we’re better when we put others first.
We caught up with our FlyMates who attended our annual School the World trip in 2025 to get a firsthand look at what this experience was like for them.
What’s your favorite memory from the trip?
“Favorite is hard. The most memorable thing that will stick with me the most is for sure the home visit. It was for sure the most emotional experience. I guess my favorite is just overall meeting all the people I did and especially getting to spend so much time with all the kids." -Chris Duggan, Payment Operations Specialist, CMT Payouts, Boston
"Visiting the family of Jenifer." - Emma Reveil, Payment Operations, Pay-Ins Specialist, Boston
"Playing with the kids during recess. I do not have children myself and I usually think I am not good with young kids, but the children in the school were so friendly and welcoming that they quickly included me in their games and activities. Some of those games I actually used to play when I was a kid myself, and I had completely forgotten about them. It was great spending time with a wonderful group of children and 'being a kid again.'" - Maria Peon Espiña, Payment Support Senior Associate, Remote Spain
"Without a doubt my favorite moment was every morning when we arrived at school, because the children were waiting for us with a big smile on our faces at the entrance of the school, with their posters and their enthusiasm. It was definitely the boost of energy we needed to start the day." - Zheni Vasileva Yankova, Junior Staff Accountant in Valencia (Spain)
"I loved seeing the murals come to life. Additionally, when the students communicated with me despite the language barrier." - Kimberly Park, Marketing Operations Associate, Texas
What did you learn from this trip? What did you learn about your fellow FlyMates?
“It is hard to say what I learned most about this trip, but the biggest thing I will walk away with from this trip is just a lot of perspective. It was so great to see so many different FlyMates and all the ways they were all able to contribute in different ways." - Chris Duggan
"I learned to be grateful and actually appreciate the things that I have access to, no matter how small. I learned that my fellow FlyMates are compassionate and hardworking people full of love."- Emma Reveil
"As a remote employee, it was amazing to see fellow FlyMates in person, getting to know them and to interact with them outside of work." - Maria Peon Espiña
"Without a doubt this trip has taught me many lessons, but above all I think it has given us all a touch of humanity and modesty. The children, parents and teachers of that community are wonderful people, who unfortunately have few resources but still offered to others what they had. The empathy and generosity with which these beings grow up is admirable. We should all learn from them. Undoubtedly, my colleagues have shown incredible values and I have been very lucky to share this experience with people like them." - Zheni Vasileva Yankova
"I discovered that everyone I've interacted with is very open-minded. Coming from diverse backgrounds, FlyMates always maintain a 'yes, can do' mentality when approaching new tasks. They were incredibly supportive and great team players." - Kimberly Park
What was most impactful about this trip? Share that moment.
“Most impactful was the home visit. Will just never forget the homes they are living in and their daily conditions and challenges faced." -Chris Duggan
"The most impactful moment for me was when the kids were able to see the final results for the classrooms. The pure joy on their faces as they rushed in was everything." -Emma Reveil
"Seeing how families in the community live. We visited the house of a family: there's no running water, electricity or gas. For every meal, they need to start a wood fire, they need to go the well every day. This makes me appreciate more what we have in the developed world, and also understand why people migrate looking for better opportunities even risking their own lives." -Maria Peon Espiña
"For me, the most impactful moment was the visit to the houses of the families of the community, since we could see that many of them lived in very isolated houses with scarce resources (no water and no electricity). In addition, most of them lived in a single room with the whole family (+6 people). I was very impressed by the human effort they make to make ends meet and the sacrifice it means for a family to send their children to school because it means two less hands to work. It is admirable what these people do on a daily basis, and unfortunately many of them do not “live”, but “survive”." - Zheni Vasileva Yankova
"I enjoyed the cultural exchange moments during the trip. Since Flywire is a global company, everyone has different backgrounds. When the students learned that I was Korean-American, they all expressed interest in learning some Korean. In return, I was able to learn a few vocabulary words in Spanish and Quiché." - Kimberly Park
What’s the one thing you want other FlyMates to know about the trip?
“Every single person in the company that can apply for this trip should apply for this trip." -Chris Duggan
"It will be hard work, but so worth it. The kids will be shy at first but will soon open up as long as you extend warmth and friendship to them." -Emma Reveil
"I want to tell everyone to apply to take trips like this. It is an enriching and rewarding opportunity for many reasons. Not only you get to know your FlyMates on a personal level, but also you get to make an impact in a community where not many foreigners go, you get to show the community that the world outside cares and they are important. If you cannot take a trip like this, please support initiatives that help people in communities less fortunate than ours. There are many ways to do this, from donations to volunteering." -Maria Peon Espiña
"Just do it! It will change your perspective on life forever." -Zheni Vasileva Yankova
"School the World trip is an unforgettable experience. You will leave feeling humbled and fulfilled. The smiles on the students' faces are everything." -Kimberly Park
Did this opportunity impact your feelings about working for Flywire?
"I am proud to be a part of a company that takes part in causes and organizations like School the World." -Chris Duggan
"Yes it did, as I am so grateful for the opportunity it provided me to be able to make a difference in the lives of those families."- Emma Reveil
"Flywire is the only company I've worked for that offers a program like this. I appreciate that leadership values this type of work and gives employees an opportunity like this." -Maria Peon Espiña
"Many of the participants from other companies have already been to the Corporate Service Trip several times and one of them said that it is the only reason why he still works for his company today. Without a doubt, for me STW has been a turning point, and even though I am not eligible to go again, it would be a huge plus for me to have my company offer such a great opportunity." - Zheni Vasileva Yankova
Anything else you would like to add?
"Every FlyMate was great and I loved learning more about everyone. But I would really like to shine a light on Zheni Vasileva. The way she was with all of the kids and her communication skills with everyone on the trip was fantastic. She was a clear superstar on this trip and the biggest hit among all of the kids." - Chris Duggan
"So much to say, and not enough words to describe the experience. I enjoyed working with people from different companies with different backgrounds to achieve finishing up those classrooms in so little time." -Emma Reveil
"As I mentioned earlier, it has been an experience that has changed my life and my perspective on it completely. It is something so special that it is impossible to explain in words, you have to live it to understand it. For that reason, and without a doubt, I would love to have the opportunity to return in the future, and be able to feel that feeling again." - Zheni Vasileva Yankova