Our Story

Hi,

Nearly twenty-five years ago, as a recent college graduate, I applied to a brand-new startup in the educational travel space—having no idea what the company was, what the industry was, or whether I’d be any good at the role. That interview changed my life. I’ve spent the last 25 years working with teachers, navigating challenges, leading teams, and being lucky enough to see the world along the way.

I love student travel. But over time, I started to feel the limits. No matter how much experience or responsibility you have, the most important decisions are often made by someone else—whether it’s a CEO, a board, or investors. You can make a big difference, but that ceiling doesn’t go away.

That’s what led to the conversations that started Blue Dot.

The other Founders and I have worked together for years, and we shared a belief: that student travel could be done better. With a mix of perspectives, complementary skills and a common mindset, we realized we had the right foundation to build something new. We wanted it to be leaner, smarter, and more personal—from the team culture to the way we support teachers.

So we built the company we always wanted to work for.

We’re out to prove you can run great trips, treat people well, build a company you’re proud of, and have fun—all while helping students experience this shared Blue Dot we call home.

We hope you’ll join us.

Best,
Rich

PS - I know the name Blue Dot can be head scratching - more on that here!