Mary Collins
Washington DC
My passion for travel and exploring the world started studying abroad in Australia. Since that trip, 8 years ago, I have worked at a children's shelter, various nonprofits and earned my MPA from George Mason University. I backpacked through Chile and Argentina, worked with women in Uganda and Kenya and lived in the Virgin Islands for a bit. All this has fostered a love of travel and inspired my work.
Currently I am working to find simple, meaningful ways that tourists can give back to their host communities, while on their trip, ie travel for good. This has led me to found blue fern hostel, a socially conscious, eco-friendly hostel. While still on the journey to launch, I am also starting a tour company in DC, to provide local experiences that incorporate giving back. I see travel as a beautiful, powerful experience that has untapped potential for making a difference in both the host and the traveler's lives.
bluefernhostel.com, @bluefernhostel, facebook.com/BlueFernHostel