Hi, I’m Pilar, founder and lead advisor of Beyond the Bell - a company built from lived experience, not theory.

 

I created Beyond the Bell because I believe one simple truth: the years right after high school are too important to rush. Students deserve guidance, not pressure. Exploration, not fear-based decisions. I know this because I lived it.

 

Long before college deadlines took over, I knew I wanted a gap year. While others rushed forward, I chose to pause. I deferred college, worked relentlessly for a few months, and saved every dollar I could. At 18, using only my own savings and budgeting skills, I set off alone on a seven-month journey across Europe, traveling through 14 countries independently. That experience reshaped my life.

 

My gap year gave me confidence, independence, and clarity. It showed me that there is no single “right” path - and that choosing intentionally matters more than choosing quickly. Since then, travel has continued to shape who I am. I’ve worked as an au pair in Prague, volunteered in hostels, sailed the Croatian islands, and lived in Costa Rica and London. These experiences taught me how the world really works - far beyond what a classroom can offer.

 

Beyond the Bell is more than a business. It’s a mission to help students step into adulthood with direction, not doubt. I guide young people to travel safely, affordably, and purposefully - gaining life experience and self-knowledge before committing to a future they’re unsure about.

 

If you’re a student feeling uncertain, or a parent seeking thoughtful guidance, I’ve been exactly where you are. Beyond the Bell was built from my own leap - and now I help students take theirs, supported, prepared, and empowered to build a life that truly fits them.