We’ve already featured a few entries to STA Travel’s World Traveller Internship and now we have the application of Emma Sparks for your viewing pleasure.

A student from the University of Warwick, Emma studies English and French, and her language skills are evident in her application. Another talent she shows off in her video is her dancing, and that’s not too shabby either. As she says,

“Only interest that equals my passion for travel? Dancing. I’m happy – as long as I’m moving.”

When it comes to documenting her experience she should be more than capable too, as the article Life and loves in Paris that she penned for The Warwick Boar (her University rag) shows. Good candidate? You be the judge…

Our Tuesday night meet-up was the place to be if you’re interested in travelling to Thailand. The evening kicked off just about as scheduled and attendees didn’t hesitate in getting to know one another over the Thai beverages and snacks.

Once we had experimented with Tiger Balm and Cherry’s (@CherryEC) eye – Sophie’s (@somiraculous) doing – and made our way through most of the refreshments we decided it was time for some Thailand talk. Sarah from STA Travel’s St. Paul’s branch was kind enough to come and do a presentation, being an expert on the destination and having been there seven times she really knew her stuff.

Sarah finished with a question and answers that saw jovial discussion ensue, as Malph (@mankinimalph), Alex (@alexpstatravel), Sophie and Paddy (@paddy_doyle) all shared their experiences of Thailand – some of which were more palatable than others – there was communal ‘eww-ing’.

Since there were quite a few guys present who were applying for STA Travel’s World Traveller Internship we decided to watch a few of the submission videos, all of which were well received. We’ve already featured Nick (@The_Nickmeister), Alex and Paddy. So below I give you Sophie’s disco moves – this is only a place holder, but the real deal is on the way, though no word as yet as to whether or not it features ‘the crab’.

You can see photos of the event on our Flickr profile and we have videos being edited together which will be uploaded to our YouTube channel in the next few days. Thanks to everyone who came and made the evening what it was. And if you’re travelling to Thailand then get in touch through email or Twitter and we can involve you with the STA travelbuzz community.

Contenders are stacking up like well-filled backpacks on the roof of an over capacity minibus in the effort to be STA Travel’s World Traveller Intern. Two guys hoping that they’ll be in the mix when the final fifty are picked for the next stage are Nick and Alex.

Nick’s final video is on the site garnering votes already. You can see it above, a masterpiece in many ways and, as a long time STA Explorer – South American Socialiser, we’re fond of the fellow. Go Nick! Stay tuned for the final moment of the video where his friend really ‘bigs him up’…

Alex is yet to upload is actual video, but has put one up illustrating his technical skills that pay the bills. He’s quite the dab hand when it comes to a video camera; we’re expecting great things, no pressure. You can follow what he’s getting up to on his Twitter @alexpstatravel.

There’s only 27 days left to upload your submission, impress voters and judges alike and give yourself the best chance of qualifying for the next round of STA Travel’s World Traveller Internship. Keep us in the loop as to what you’re doing to apply via your blog, Twitter or any other site and we’ll get you involved with travelbuzz.

The Experience the Gold Coast wiki is up and running!

We’ve been working with STA Travel UK and Gold Coast Tourism to create a guide to anything and everything that can be done in the region. Except we want the wiki to be full of YOUR experiences of Australia’s Gold Coast – that’s why it’s a wiki.

It is in its fledgling stages at the moment, but we’re gradually building and populating it with help from across the web. So, if you’ve got Gold Coast knowledge of any sort get in touch, and if it’s already online let us know. Although we’re aiming to get people contributing directly to the wiki, to help kick start things we’re looking to link back to relevant content – whether thats blog posts, photos, video, and podcasts, so if that’s you give us a shout.

If you’d liek to be involved you can leave us a comment below, email Cam and Fran or tweet @statravelbuzz and we’ll get back to you. That said, it is after all a wiki, so if you just want to sign up, jump in and start contributing you can, there’s a help page here on how to get started. Be sure to let us know how you find it.

Eventually, we’re hoping the wiki will become a fluid reference for information on Australia’s Gold Coast from those who’ve experienced it.

And, just in case you were wondering, we’ve also got a hashtag #ExperienceGC.

Continuing our Travel Tuesday feature of highlighting travel blogs we are today featuring Nomadic Matt.

Nomadic Matt is, as his blog states, about life untethered. He refers to himself as twenty-something vagabond, who has been on the road regularly since 2005,

“My original trip was supposed to last a year. I didn’t come home until 18 months later. Once back, I knew I couldn’t go back to my old life or a typical job – I wanted to travel more. Three months later, I was traveling again. I haven’t stopped since.”

His about page passes on more info on how he came to where he is now an also features interesting facts. Did you no Nomadic Matt once got lost in a jungle?

Nomadic Matt’s Travel Site contains tips, his blog, photos, videos and more all on where he’s been and what he’s done. You can find him on YouTube, Twitter @nomadicmatt, Facebook and FriendFeed. If you want to know insider knowledge about a specific destination, from hostels in NZ to learning to scuba-dive its likely Matt will be able to help you out.

Matt, on this fine Travel Tuesday, you’re our man.

Just a quick post to remind one and all that tonight we’re having our monthly STA travelbuzz meet-up, where we get like minded travel souls together for a chat. Tonight will be themed around Thailand, though we’re going to squeeze in a little bit on video editing also for those applying for STA Travel’s World Traveller Internship.

It’ll be in our Soho office tonight, beginning at 7:30pm. All the details of the Thailand meet-up are here, including Fran’s promise of Bangkok Coolers… So get on your scooter and come along. Just email Camilla and we’ll send you through the details.

Our good pals over at the STA Travel Victoria store who are led by the impeccable Kate are hosting a Round the World travel talk.

The event is taking place on 25th Feb from 7PM in the Victoria branch. In Kate’s own words,

“It’s an informal evening of travel talks, a chance to have a beer, meet the team and win some prizes. There will be talks by STA Travel, GAP Adventures, one about Fiji Island hopping and one by Nomads Travel about what to pack and travel health.”

That basically covers just about everything you’d want if you were taking a round the world trip. And if it doesn’t, go along and chat to the STA Travel guys (especially Ed, he’s a hero) and ask them what you want to know. Their expertise is superb and with each member of the team having a speciality on a particular location you’ll be able to find someone to help.

If you’re planning a trip, or just fancy getting taster, all you need to do to signup for the Round the World travel talk is send an email to victoria [at] statravel.co.uk and they’ll add you to the guest list.