OUR Knowledgeable International Team

LISA GUSTAVSON, FOUNDER/OWNER/GUIDE

Lisa possesses two Masters Degrees: one in International Studies and one in Anthropology and has studied in the United States, France, Japan, and the African country of Swaziland. She has dual French-American citizenship. For the last two decades, she has been dividing her time between the States, France and Japan. Lisa spends a third of every year in France where she visits family, guides sojourns and does research for the development of new tours. Lisa's greatest passion is travel which is why she loves sharing the experience of sojourning with others: she lived and worked in Japan for three years; spent about a year and a half backpacking throughout Asia and Europe; and has taken trips to South America and Africa. Lisa also loves teaching and can't give up the fun of being a French professor regardless how busy she is with Sojourner Tours. In the past, she has taught college courses in Anthropology, African Studies, Black Studies and English as a Foreign Language. If you love culture, food, markets, wine tasting, art, outdoor activities, nature and unusual museums... you'll really enjoy traveling with Lisa.

For Sojourner Tours, she is the primary designer and guides tours in France and Texas. She speaks English, French, Japanese and has dabbled in German and Swahili.

FRANCIS MATHIEU, PART-OWNER/GUIDE

Francis grew up in France. After learning English in Ireland, he moved to the United States to build a family and pursue doctoral studies. Since obtaining his PhD in 2007, he has been a Professor of French in the United States where he teaches French language, literature and culture, as well as a General Education course on French gastronomy. Starting the same year, he began teaching in Paris for a Summer Study Abroad Program. As a result, he has spent eleven wonderful summers (and counting) guiding students throughout Paris to teach them about French history and culture as seen in the city’s notable streets, monuments, museums and other historic sites. If you are fascinated by history, literature, antiques and enjoy wine tasting, food and urban trekking, Francis' passion will deeply enrich your travels.

With Sojourner Tours, Francis applies his credentials and years of guiding practice to helping his guests experience "his" France. He speaks French and English fluently and can get by in Japanese and Spanish. He has also dabbled in Gaelic.

MARK, Contract Local Guide/Assistant

Mark grew up in England and lived in Sojo-founder Lisa’s hometown for a few years where they met. Being married to a French-English woman, he eventually settled in Southern France where he has lived for a couple decades. Mark joins Sojo on some Live-Like-a-Local in Provence Sojourns.

DIDIER, Contract Local Guide

Didier grew up in France near the Swiss border. After getting a B.A. in English at the University of the Franche-Comte in Besancon, he got an M.A. in French at Ohio University in Sojo-founder Lisa’s hometown. After returning to France, he taught for several years before entering the hospitality industry. Didier joins Sojo on some French-Swiss borderland sojourns.

ESTELLE, Contract Local Guide/Assistant

Estelle grew up in France on the Swiss border. After getting a degree in hospitality in Paris, she has worked in many places including Paris and Monaco. Estelle joins Sojo on some Live-Like-a-Local in Provence Sojourns.

INTERNS (PAST & PRESENT)

Will Warren: Fall 2021 Tour Development and Marketing Intern

Independent

Bennington College Alumni

Dillon Betros: Fall 2017-Spring 2018 Social Media Intern

Southwestern University, French Major

Kayleigh Thomas: Fall 2016-2018 Social Media Intern

Southwestern University, French Minor