Anna Callen is one of the directors of Go Beyond and oversees the administrative side of the holidays. She has lived in France for over 15 years and has worked in a variety of roles including teaching and administration. She currently works as a translator as well as doing administrative work for Go Beyond. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, baking, sewing and listening to music.
Anna worked at The Olive Tree International School teaching French and Spanish to children with challenging behaviour. In Bristol, England, Anna spent half of her working week working as Personnel Administrator for The Priory Hospital and the other half as a Translations Coordinator for the charity Tearfund.
She lives with her husband, Ian, and three children, Joseph, Jasmine and Poppy, in the Provençal town of Riez.
A Few Questions to Anna Callen
What motivates and inspires you?
I find inspiration in the simple things, for example, an amazing landscape will make me marvel at the world’s natural beauty and make me want to go out walking and study the wildlife; a piece of music combined with meaningful lyrics will provoke me to reflect on issues from a new angle as can a beautifully written passage in a book.
I am also inspired by some of the guests who come on our holidays, by their determination to achieve in areas or activities that they find difficult and, most of all, by their positivity. I am motivated by activities that lead me and those around me to feel they have achieved something important to them.
My sense of justice to see that people are treated fairly and have access to best opportunities is also a source of motivation for me.
