HELLE SORENSEN
Golden,USA
Summary
Innovative trainer specializing in student-centered curricula and experiential learning through business simulations. Develops engaging lessons that incorporate anthropological content across various platforms. Fosters positive student relationships to enhance engagement and success. Possesses strong cross-cultural skills and effective communication abilities, ready to contribute to team goals.
Overview
40
40
years of professional experience
Work History
Ecotourism Development Planning Specialist
US Peace Corps
04.2024 - 09.2024
- Designed and delivered real-work simulations of business management, agri-ecotourism, and sustainable development classes to 400 young adult university students
- Developed 48-page, 5-year agri-ecotourism development plan with 37 illustrations and eight hand-crafted pieces to guide sustainable tourism practices
- Facilitated seven training sessions and meetings on tourism development, engaging 20-35 stakeholders, including mayor, governor, tourism office, police department, and Indigenous community leaders
- Designed a robust assessment framework to track the performance and impact of the agri-ecotourism plan
- Assisted in creation of tourism marketing strategy and destination branding
- Panay Island, Philippines
Professor of Travel & Tourism Management
School of Hospitality, Metropolitan State University of Denver
01.2001 - 12.2022
- Designed and customized course content that catered to diverse learning styles and needs
- Bridged gap between theory and real-world application by creating field trip experiential learning, enhancing students’ understanding of business concepts
- Used the communicative approach to teach tourism management, focusing on business and career development
- Cultivated learning environment resulting in high undergraduate student evaluations and retention rates
- Led Study Abroad trips for 23 university groups, guiding students through immersive learning experiences across four continents and fostering cultural exchange
- Honored with the Career Catalyst Faculty Recognition Award (2021)
- USA
Adjunct Faculty of Travel & Tourism
Community College of Denver
01.1993 - 12.2000
- Received Adjunct Faculty of the Year Award (1994) for outstanding teaching, fostering student engagement, and contributing to department’s academic success
- Instructed undergraduate students on complexities of travel and tourism, enhancing understanding of industry dynamics, marketing strategies, and operational challenges
- USA
International Travel Agent
International Tours
01.1990 - 12.1992
- Designed and sold custom trips to Asia, Europe, and Africa, tailoring itineraries to align with clients' interests and needs, delivering personalized travel experiences
- Denver, USA
- Coordinated international travel arrangements for diverse client needs.
- Researched and recommended destinations based on client preferences.
- Managed booking systems to ensure accurate reservations and itineraries.
Ticketing Agent
Trailfinders
01.1988 - 12.1990
- Calculated flight costs using FCU and NUC systems and issued airline tickets for worldwide trips on multiple airlines, including Concorde
- Fostered teamwork with colleagues from AustralAsia, Ireland, Pakistan, Vietnam, Morocco, and Nigeria, building collaborative relationships across diverse cultural contexts
- London, Great Britain
International Travel Agent
Lord's Travel
01.1987 - 12.1988
- Designed and sold individualized trips, crafting tailored itineraries that enhanced client satisfaction in global travel experiences
- Collaborated with international colleagues to streamline communication and enhance project outcomes
- Conducted strategic business meetings in Copenhagen to strengthen partnerships and explore new opportunities
Travel Agent
Delta Rejser
01.1985 - 12.1987
- Designed and sold personalized European trips, coordinating with multiple airlines to meet client preferences
- Managed travel logistics in Copenhagen, Denmark
- Coordinated travel arrangements for clients, including flights and accommodations.
- Provided expert advice on travel destinations and local attractions.
- Researched and booked transportation options for various trip itineraries.
ESL Teacher
Volunteer World
05.2023
- Taught practical English communication skills for everyday life, utilizing real-life situations to improve students' confidence and fluency
- Expanded students’ vocabulary by 75 words through interactive and participatory learning experiences, fostering a collaborative and immersive learning environment
- Designed customized conversational English course content for 20 teenage monks at Temple Monk School, addressing unique learning needs and cultural context to enhance engagement and comprehension
- Bang Pa In, Thailand
ESL Teacher
Cultural Homestay International
03.2023
- Delivered tailored one-on-one intermediate English instruction to 10-year-old student, fostering engagement and progress through personalized lesson plans
- Expanded vocabulary by 125 words through contextual usage and practical word combinations
- Created comprehensive lesson plans targeting listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills to promote balanced language development
- Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Education
Certificate in Teaching Business English -
International TEFL Academy
Chicago, USA01-2022
Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language -
International TEFL Academy
Chicago, USA01-2021
Master of Arts - Cultural Anthropology
University of Colorado at Denver
01-2001
Bachelor of Arts - Geography
Metropolitan State University of Denver
01-1998
Skills
- Sustainable practices
- Program development
- Marketing strategy
- Stakeholder engagement
- Technology integration
- Remote learning
- Educational technology
- Project-based learning
- Collaborative learning
- Lesson planning
- Instructional planning
- Teaching strategies
- Engagement strategies
- Active listening
- Student interaction
- Group and individual instruction
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Leadership development
- Business management
- Data collection and analysis
- Goal setting
- Professional training
- Practical learning
- Academic goals
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 10/18/62
- Nationality: United States Denmark
Additional Information
Native proficiency in English and Danish | basic conversational German and basic French, Excel | PowerPoint | Canvas | Blackboard | Skype | Teams | Zoom, Collaborated with park rangers and conservation agencies to cultivate a sustainable future through Tree Planting Projects | Hiking Trail Restorations | Preservation Volunteering
Timeline
Ecotourism Development Planning Specialist
US Peace Corps
04.2024 - 09.2024
ESL Teacher
Volunteer World
05.2023
ESL Teacher
Cultural Homestay International
03.2023
Professor of Travel & Tourism Management
School of Hospitality, Metropolitan State University of Denver
01.2001 - 12.2022
Adjunct Faculty of Travel & Tourism
Community College of Denver
01.1993 - 12.2000
International Travel Agent
International Tours
01.1990 - 12.1992
Ticketing Agent
Trailfinders
01.1988 - 12.1990
International Travel Agent
Lord's Travel
01.1987 - 12.1988
Travel Agent
Delta Rejser
01.1985 - 12.1987
Certificate in Teaching Business English -
International TEFL Academy
Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language -
International TEFL Academy
Master of Arts - Cultural Anthropology
University of Colorado at Denver
Bachelor of Arts - Geography
Metropolitan State University of Denver