Tom O’Grady

Name: Tom O’Grady

Email: togrady@explorica.com

Phone Number: 1.888.310.7120

Bio: I grew up in the metropolis that is Drexel Hill, PA.  Its about 8.4 miles from Philadelphia and yes, the Phillies did just win the World Series, thanks for asking.  We are very happy to be world champions!

I had a pretty normal childhood, grew up playing sports and traveling via pop-up camper with my family during the summers.  The only international trip I’d ever taken was to Montreal when I was 12.  Then in 1996 I had the opportunity to go on a school trip to England, France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Italy.  To say the least, it changed my life.  I got to travel with my parents, as well as my older sister so that was an added plus (having your parents’ wallets with you when traveling is never a bad thing).

After that trip I was officially hooked on travel.  Throughout college I managed to get back to Europe every summer except for one.

That summer was terrible.

After I graduated from college I traveled as a chaperone with my parents and then continued to backpack around Europe for another month and had the time of my life.  I saw so many things and met so many interesting people, I still look back on that trip as one of the best periods of my life.

After a year of working in Boston after college I decided that I wanted to know what it was like to live in Europe.  Through my college I joined the Augustinian Volunteer Corps and moved to San Gimignano, Italy.  I moved from my apartment in the city of Boston to a tiny room with an arched door in a 900 year old monastery, but what a view!

I spent a year living and working in Italy and completely fell in love with the Italian way of life.  A year abroad opened my mind to so many things and it eventually sent me back to school at Villanova to study international relations.  Following graduate school I spent time working for a Senator at the State House in Boston but realized I still had the urge to learn some more through travel.

I had a buddy working at Explorica and I took the short walk down The Hill for an interview for a Program Consultant position.  I accepted shortly there after and the rest is history.

I’m the resident Italian expert in the office, which is peculiar for a person with the last name O’Grady.  I still start my days just like I did in Italy, with an espresso made in the office kitchen and still keep track of the days on my trusty Vespa calendar.  I’ve worn several different hats during my time with Explorica, starting with my position as a Program Consultant, to managing our Summer Academy tours, and I am now currently the Manager of Customer Retention.

I’ve been all over Western Europe in the past 4 years and I’m heading back again this November for one of our teacher conventions in Prague. To say the least, my time with Explorica has been an adventure and I’ve loved every minute of it.

Well, except for the airport delays.

When I’m not working, I try to stay up on life back in Italy, I read La Gazzetta dello Sport to keep up on my favorite soccer team, Juventus, and La Repubblica to keep up on the soap opera that is Italian politics.  I’m also an avid runner, soccer player, and, a self-proclaimed, semi-professional snowboarder.

If you are ever in Boston keep a look out for the guy on the vintage green Vespa with the matching helmet.

In bocca al lupo!

Last 5 posts by Tom O'Grady