Donor Spotlight: Adam Goldwyn

FLYTE is more than a non-profit organization. It is a community built by supporters and donors who want to empower students to change their lives – and the world – through travel.

When deciding to contribute to community organizations, many of our donors specifically search for one that gives youth a travel experience. Adam is one of those generous donors, and we are endlessly grateful that he found FLYTE in his search. Thank you Adam for choosing to give back by supporting our students!

Tell us about yourself.

I grew up and have spent most of my life in New Jersey. I went to college at East Carolina University and lived in New York City for about 5 years. My wife and I got married in August 2020. In addition to traveling, I am passionate about exercising, health, sports and spending time with my wife and dog.

How has travel impacted your life?

We didn’t travel a lot growing up, but I had a chance to start traveling once I started working. There is a thrill you get, being in a new place and experiencing different things. You learn a lot about yourself and have the opportunity to meet so many great people. Traveling opens your eyes to how big the world is, but also how similar it is in many cities.

What’s your favorite travel memory?

It’s hard to narrow it down to just one, but there’s a few that come to mind. One was hiking in Torres Del Paine in Patagonia. At the end of our hike, we came to this body of water that was a color you will never forget. At that moment, we realized we got to this unique spot in the world that many will only see in books.

Another would be in the Sahara Desert in Morocco. We spent one night in a tent there. The color of the sand, the brightness of the stars at night, and I proposed to my wife as the sun rose that morning. We were fortune to have two close friends document the experience and share it with us.

Why did you choose to support FLYTE?

I am a big believer in giving back, and always giving a piece of what you earn back to someone or an organization that can do more with it. I was researching travel organizations, and wanted to find one that could give kids a travel experience. I love your message and was really impressed with what FLYTE has accomplished in giving back.

What advice would you give someone who’s about to take their first trip abroad?

Do your research; figure out some things that you want to see or places you might want to eat. Check different travel blogs, Trip Advisor, etc. However, don’t be rigid. You’ll get a lot of great tips from locals or people you meet.

Don’t have a tight agenda. In travel, things happen. A flight may be delayed, you might get sick, the train might be late, you might find a different part of the city you want to see. I always use the phrase, “It’s all good, we’ll figure it out.” In the end, everything works out.

Don’t overpack. If you don’t have something you need, you can always buy it. A lighter bag is easier to carry and also gives you room to bring some stuff back you find.

Avagail Lozano

Avagail is a Filipina-American travel storyteller, content creator, and copywriter based in San Francisco Bay Area after living in South Korea for 4 years. She’s passionate about amplifying BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) experiences in the travel sphere, empowering BIPOC Millenials and Gen Z to follow their travel or live abroad dreams, and educating people about culture through travel – locally and internationally. She has a fondness for elephants, can’t start her day without a cup of coffee, believes there’s always room for dessert, and hopes to one day inspire youth of color to travel the world.