Becky and Kevin could potentially be one of the coolest couples ever. They both graduated with great degrees from Exeter University and then they moved to Hong Kong to set up a surf school. After 5 years of running their own surf school, they then moved to the Maldives to run all surf activities at a resort hotel. They run the super cool blog Surf Work Travel. Kevin and Becky will prove to you that anything is possible!
1) Where and what did you study and when did you graduate?
We both met and studied at Exeter University UK, I (Becky) studied biology and Kevin studied law. Kevin graduated first in 2007 and I completed my degree in 2010.
2) Where do you live now?
Since graduating we have spent time in Hong Kong, Ireland, Philippines, Sri Lanka and we are now living in the Maldives.
3) Tell us about your job...
We work at the Four Seasons, Kuda Huraa, Maldives. We are in charge of all surfing related activities for the guests. Its an amazing place to live but resort life comes with some pretty restrictive rules. If you can deal with those though you can really enjoy yourself. Someone said once its like living in the worlds most beautiful jail [curious about what they mean? Read their blog post]
4) What did you want to be when you were younger?
When I was younger I wanted to be a vet or something science related. Kevin was very outdoorsy and wanted to either live in the woods, exploring or do some kind-of environmental law.
5) What did you do immediately after leaving university?
Straight after Uni we both went over to HK for a quick trip. We had planned to go and travel around NZ. After working in various surf schools around Europe and witnessing that magical first wave of many customers, we got hooked and wanted to continue to share that epic feeling. So in 2011 we founded Hong Kongs’ first professional surf school, bringing international standards of safety to the local community. After 4 years of developing the school from a broken-down shack on the beach into a surfing & outdoor education centre catering to school camps of 50+ children and daily lessons, we decided it was time to move on in pursuit of new opportunities around the globe and continue to share our passion. We still haven’t made it to NZ!
1) Where and what did you study and when did you graduate?
We both met and studied at Exeter University UK, I (Becky) studied biology and Kevin studied law. Kevin graduated first in 2007 and I completed my degree in 2010.
2) Where do you live now?
Since graduating we have spent time in Hong Kong, Ireland, Philippines, Sri Lanka and we are now living in the Maldives.
3) Tell us about your job...
We work at the Four Seasons, Kuda Huraa, Maldives. We are in charge of all surfing related activities for the guests. Its an amazing place to live but resort life comes with some pretty restrictive rules. If you can deal with those though you can really enjoy yourself. Someone said once its like living in the worlds most beautiful jail [curious about what they mean? Read their blog post]
4) What did you want to be when you were younger?
When I was younger I wanted to be a vet or something science related. Kevin was very outdoorsy and wanted to either live in the woods, exploring or do some kind-of environmental law.
5) What did you do immediately after leaving university?
Straight after Uni we both went over to HK for a quick trip. We had planned to go and travel around NZ. After working in various surf schools around Europe and witnessing that magical first wave of many customers, we got hooked and wanted to continue to share that epic feeling. So in 2011 we founded Hong Kongs’ first professional surf school, bringing international standards of safety to the local community. After 4 years of developing the school from a broken-down shack on the beach into a surfing & outdoor education centre catering to school camps of 50+ children and daily lessons, we decided it was time to move on in pursuit of new opportunities around the globe and continue to share our passion. We still haven’t made it to NZ!
6) How did you feel about your future when you graduated?
We weren’t too fussed as we both knew we wanted to do some traveling and exploring before settling down and working, funny thing is though that the work ended up finding us! Like we said in our interview with Cooler Magazine – our goal was to work somewhere we loved, so we didn’t have to leave to go on holiday.
7) If you could go back, what would you say to yourself on graduation day?
I would say…. Maybe I should have gone to the gym more haha. We both ate a lot at uni and we probably could have done with a bit more exercise!!
8) Would you have done anything different?
We always think that, in hindsight we could have worked harder, we could have pushed for that 1st. However all the lessons learn lead us to where we are now, which is hanging out in the Maldives. Its a fantastic lifestyle that we wouldn’t swap for the world.
9) What inspires you?
For me personally (Becky) I’m really inspired by people who work hard and have gone on to develop fantastic companies you can look up to. Companies that have a great relationship with their employees like Virgin and the Four Seasons. Kevin is inspired more about the unknown, he loves to explore and push his limits.
10) What would you like to say to our graduates looking for inspiration?
To be open, if you're unsure about what you want to do just keep your paths open for all different possibilities. If you are eager to succeed, be willing to work hard and have a good attitude then you will be fine no matter what!
11) Your three favourite words
Surf Work and Travel!
Thank you so much to Kevin and Becky for taking the time out of your tropical lives to answer our questions. We wish you all the best with your surf, yoga and travelling, you're both such brilliant examples of what we are all about at The Cool Graduate! Find out more about their journey by reading their comprehensive blog, Surf Work Travel.
Are you, or do you know, a cool graduate we could interview for this feature? Fill in the form on the right hand side of this page and we'll get back to you!
We weren’t too fussed as we both knew we wanted to do some traveling and exploring before settling down and working, funny thing is though that the work ended up finding us! Like we said in our interview with Cooler Magazine – our goal was to work somewhere we loved, so we didn’t have to leave to go on holiday.
7) If you could go back, what would you say to yourself on graduation day?
I would say…. Maybe I should have gone to the gym more haha. We both ate a lot at uni and we probably could have done with a bit more exercise!!
8) Would you have done anything different?
We always think that, in hindsight we could have worked harder, we could have pushed for that 1st. However all the lessons learn lead us to where we are now, which is hanging out in the Maldives. Its a fantastic lifestyle that we wouldn’t swap for the world.
9) What inspires you?
For me personally (Becky) I’m really inspired by people who work hard and have gone on to develop fantastic companies you can look up to. Companies that have a great relationship with their employees like Virgin and the Four Seasons. Kevin is inspired more about the unknown, he loves to explore and push his limits.
10) What would you like to say to our graduates looking for inspiration?
To be open, if you're unsure about what you want to do just keep your paths open for all different possibilities. If you are eager to succeed, be willing to work hard and have a good attitude then you will be fine no matter what!
11) Your three favourite words
Surf Work and Travel!
Thank you so much to Kevin and Becky for taking the time out of your tropical lives to answer our questions. We wish you all the best with your surf, yoga and travelling, you're both such brilliant examples of what we are all about at The Cool Graduate! Find out more about their journey by reading their comprehensive blog, Surf Work Travel.
Are you, or do you know, a cool graduate we could interview for this feature? Fill in the form on the right hand side of this page and we'll get back to you!
