I’m Woongkyu Jin, a Senior Dispute Resolution Specialist at Agoda
I celebrated a decade at Agoda with a transformative six-week trek on the Camino de Santiago, an experience I fondly refer to as the ‘Camino de SantiAGODA’. During my time at Agoda, I’ve learned valuable lessons in data analysis and enjoyed the challenge of combating potential high risks. As a Senior Dispute Resolution Specialist, I am responsible for preventing losses from payment transaction chargebacks. This includes monitoring chargeback volumes and investigating any suspicious or high-risk trends. I also work on developing better tools to increase the team’s productivity.
To mark my tenth anniversary of working at the company, I chose a fitting celebration: a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience.
Thanks to Agoda, I checked off a lifelong bucket list item
Completing the Camino de Santiago has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember. Known as the Camino Francés, this route stretches 770 km from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela and requires a great deal of time and energy. Finding the time to commit to such an intense journey was a challenge. However, thanks to the exceptional support I received from Agoda, I was able to dedicate six weeks to fulfilling this dream.
First, I received an additional ten vacation days and a cash bonus as part of the Agoda Anniversary Awards, celebrating my ten years of service. I also used Agoda Choice, a flexible benefits program that we can redeem for learning, wellness, or travel, to help with the expenses for this trip. To top it off, I used my employee discount to book all my accommodations for the journey through the Agoda platform.
Overcoming challenges
Completing the Camino was a major physical, mental, and emotional challenge. At first, I thought I might stop if something went wrong, but I persevered and reached the end. This experience taught me to stay positive and not to give up easily when facing challenges, whether in life or at work.
On the first day, I walked too fast and got injured, which made the rest of my trip harder. Sometimes, I felt like giving up, but the new friends I met along the way were always there to offer support and encouragement, helping me stay focused on my goals.
One day, I heard that a friend who had been kind to me was struggling with sickness. Even though I was very tired that day, I went back to help her. All the rooms were full that night, but other travelers came together to create a new sleeping space, and thanks to their kindness, she recovered quickly. Without this help, she might have had to stay in a hospital.
Lifelong lessons learned on the Camino de Santiago
On this journey, people from different countries and backgrounds are all equal travelers with the same goal. By being kind to each other, we create positive effects for ourselves and others. I keep in touch with many friends I met during the trip, and we’re all doing well. I learned some invaluable lessons along the way:
- Patience is key: Rushing only leads to more problems. The Camino is not a race; even if others move faster, there’s no need to compare myself to them. I will still reach the destination at my own pace.
- Collaboration enhances endurance: While walking (and working) alone may be faster, doing so with a team allows for greater distance and longevity.
- Efficiency over effort: Working smart is more important than merely working hard.
- Kindness fosters support: When we’re kind to others, we build strong connections. These people often become our greatest allies when facing tough challenges.
- Perseverance is essential: The destination remains unchanged. It’s okay to slow down if you’re feeling pain or burnout, but never give up.
Bittersweet moments from my last day
On the last day of my trip, I received the sad news that my dear grandmother had passed away. This filled me with sorrow as I remembered all the precious times we shared, making the end of my journey even more emotional.
As I approached the Santiago Cathedral, the sound of bagpipes filled the air, touching my heart deeply. When I turned the last corner, the grand view of the cathedral appeared, bringing back clear memories of my 30-day journey, like a scene from a movie. I felt proud to have reached the end but also a bit sad that it was over.
Thank you, Agoda
I am very grateful to Agoda for their unwavering support—everything from the benefits I receive to my understanding manager and colleagues—which enabled me to achieve this personal goal. I felt an immense sense of pride when fellow travelers on the Camino expressed their surprise and envy after hearing about my vacation and the support I received from Agoda to make it happen.
Ready to embark on your own adventure? Apply to Agoda today and join a team that values your growth and success!
