Looking for World Travel (with free stays) or Career Reinvention? Today's guest can help!
Alexandra Humbel Origet, a career coach and the Chief Marketing Officer at People Like Us can help you change careers, travel the world, or both! Find out how below...
It’s time for another edition of Who I’d Rather Be Talking About, where I introduce you to fascinating individuals from around the globe. Some of my guests are people I've met in person, while others I've discovered through the wonders of the internet.
I met this week’s guest, Alexandra Humbel Origet, online but I could very well have met her IRL… because Alexandra is always on the move.
Alexandra is going to tell us how she and her husband travel the world and stay in the comfort of homes that feel like homes - for free.
Her secret?
HOME SWAPPING.
Alexandra will tell us all about home swapping…an interesting and economical way to travel brought to you by a company called People Like Us.
Alexandra not only has first hand experience doing home exchanges, she’s also the Chief Marketing Officer of the company.
Without further adieu, let’s meet Alexandra and hear about People Like Us, her own home exchange adventures with her husband, tips for trying a home exchange, plus stories from her favorite global destinations.
I was born and raised in Paris and was lucky enough to travel abroad nearly every year during summer vacation. My parents were curious and open-minded, so we visited several European countries, including Spain, Portugal, England, Scotland, Ireland, and Italy. Morocco holds a special place in my heart, as we often stayed with dear friends near Casablanca.
My first trip to the US was memorable—my mother took my brother and me to New York to visit her beloved American grandmother, my great-grandmother. I loved the city immediately and decided I wanted to discover more of the US. That happened when I received a Fulbright grant to study at the University of Austin, Texas.
California was also on my radar—being in the acting business at the time—and I had a dear friend from drama school in London who lived in LA. A few decades later, we are still best friends, and I love spending time in Santa Barbara, where she now lives, and where my husband lived for many years.
These days, I navigate between Zürich (where we live), Paris (where most of my family is), and Santa Barbara, our “happy place.”
My husband and I have been en route since January in the Pacific Region.
Starting in Singapore, we explored New Zealand’s North and South Islands, Australia’s East Coast, Tasmania, Fiji, French Polynesia—and now we’re recovering from five months of adventure in Santa Barbara, catching up with many friends here.
My career has been anything but a straight line.
I’ve experienced a few sharp turns along the way. That’s probably why I became a career transition coach. I know in my bones how challenging—and enriching—those decisions and processes can be.
After a decade in acting, I went back to university and studied Arts Management. That led me to work in PR in the vibrant Paris fashion industry. I worked for Ralph Lauren, Thierry Mugler, and Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy, among others. With two young children at home, I lived at the rhythm of fashion weeks, which meant intense night-and-day work. It was exhilarating and exhausting, so I transitioned to hospitality, becoming head of PR within the Accor Group.
Then I met my second husband—he lived in Santa Barbara while I was based in Paris. We started a long-distance relationship, which wasn’t compatible with a full-time corporate job, so I created my own PR company.
I already had solid experience in home exchange marketing when I started with People Like Us. I immediately felt in tune with the founders’—Kathy and Drew’s—philosophy and vision. What started as a short-term collaboration became a commitment and a partnership.
We want to welcome more good people from around the world and increase exchange opportunities. So while we’re focused on growing PLU’s visibility and improving the onboarding process to make it easier and faster for new members, we also invest time and energy in nurturing our culture and serving current members to ensure a great experience.
Home swapping has been around since the 1950s, starting with US academics who exchanged homes for a term or two when invited to teach at other universities. From a niche practice, it’s grown into a mainstream travel option, boosted by the globalization of travel and the rise of the sharing economy.
Today, the shift is even more pronounced, as many cities and communities are regulating or banning short-term rentals.
Home exchange presents a fantastic alternative ~ it’s an affordable and enriching way for travelers to explore while forming meaningful connections.
For local communities, it ensures that homes are only occupied when the residents are away—a natural limitation. Since no one is profiting financially, risks of overtourism and neighborhood disruption are practically nonexistent.
We have several levels of verification starting at registration—ID, credit card, and phone.
In our experience, people are honest about their homes. Since there’s no profit involved, there’s no incentive to misrepresent what one has to offer. Members genuinely want their exchange partners to have a great stay.
Reviews are important, and we make them visible at multiple levels—not just reviews members received, but also reviews they gave. This helps everyone get honest feedback on their profiles right from the start.
And don’t forget—every guest is also a host. People behave in their exchange home the way they hope guests will behave in theirs.
Home exchange is about human connection, not real estate. You don’t “book” an exchange with a few clicks and a credit card. You chat via our secure message system, then by phone or video call, which is a great way to introduce the family and get a virtual house tour.
One common concern is about the relevance of one’s home. Say you live in Issy-les-Moulineaux. You might wonder, “Who would want to exchange with me?” It’s a quiet suburb southwest of Paris, well connected by public transport and just two hours from the Normandy beaches. Once you highlight what’s special about your home and neighborhood, it shifts everything.
Another question: Can I exchange homes if I’m a tenant? This is quite common in Europe, where many people don’t own their primary residence.
Our advice: Follow the rules. Since no money is exchanged, a home swap is essentially like having friends stay over. The same goes for home insurance—we advise members to check with their insurer and upgrade coverage if needed.
All of the above!
Nearly half of PLU users are families, over a third are empty nesters, and the rest are singles or couples traveling with friends, partners, or solo.
There are communities within People Like Us like “Solo Women Travelers” that help people connect with peers.
The University of Bergamo did a global study on home exchangers
and found some common traits:
a strong concern for sustainable living
and an above-average level of trust in their fellow humans.
While we share similarities with other platforms—being part of the broader sharing economy and promoting peer-to-peer travel—PLU has a unique value proposition:
There’s no transactional element between members. While we charge a yearly membership fee, there are no points tied to home size, value, or amenities. We believe that whether you have a condo, a cottage, or a luxury villa, you should have the same opportunity to exchange.
Our members love this approach—it allows them to form connections based on trust and rapport, not transaction.
You might notice there’s no chatbot on our website—that’s intentional. Until we can hire a team of well-trained humans to assist in real time, we’ve chosen not to offer instant chat. Bots won’t cut it.
Instead, our multilingual Member Support Team is spread across three continents to ensure responsiveness across time zones.
We also focus heavily on education and guidance. We provide lots of tips and best practices: how to hand over keys, how to prepare your home, and how to write a great house guide.
A big one is: “Is my home nice enough?” Short-term rental platforms often showcase luxury homes with pools, setting a false standard. While PLU has its share of beautiful homes, we celebrate variety.
It’s not about market value—it’s about what you love in your home. Maybe it’s filled with books, cozy reading corners, or a garden your guests will enjoy.
You might exchange your five-bedroom California home with a pool for a cozy one-bedroom in central Paris, Tokyo, or Manhattan—and love it.
Another common misconception: “It’s too good to be true.”
But it’s real. With PLU, the only cost is the annual membership—often less than one night in a modest hotel.
The Premium Membership gives access to all members via our secure internal messaging system, which is how exchange inquiries happen.
But the beating heart of PLU is our Facebook group, where global conversations and friendships happen every day.
We also have a private members-only Facebook group that helps accelerate exchange arrangements and offers peer support.
It’s been a total game changer, especially post-Covid. At PLU, we’ve seen a surge in digital nomads, freelancers, and semi-retired members who can work from anywhere.
I’ve been traveling since the beginning of 2025 while working and lined up five amazing exchanges across New Zealand and Australia. We made unforgettable memories—and new friends—along the way.
Start small. Try a weekend stay somewhere nearby. It’s a stress-free way to get your feet wet, learn the process, and earn your first reviews.
We also recommend asking for a mentor. Many experienced PLU members love guiding newcomers—it’s a fun and friendly way to get started.
My very first exchange was nothing like the short, local ones I usually recommend…
I was living in a bohemian triplex in Paris when I received an inquiry from a French family living in Costa Rica.
They offered a stunning oceanfront villa—with a chef and driver! Not exactly what I was offering. But they loved my home’s style and location—close to the highway to Disneyland Paris.
A French TV crew ended up filming the exchange. It turned into an adventure-packed four days and was a total win for both families.
After Costa Rica, I exchanged homes throughout France (especially Brittany), as well as Rome, Berlin, London, and many times in California.
What breaks my heart is having to turn down so many amazing offers. I could vacation non-stop based on the inquiries I receive—from both well-known and unexpected destinations.
Favorite country: New Zealand was a mind-blowing discovery on this trip—so that’s my current favorite.
Favorite meal while traveling: Oysters! Raw, grilled, or however locals serve them—I try them all.
Wellness tip on the road: My husband and I do 30–40 minutes of exercise every morning (except on planes!). It’s boring, so we listen to the BBC to catch up on world news. We also hike and walk everywhere.
Travel gear you won’t leave home without: Exercise bands and mat, a supportive backpack, and my favorite all-purpose hiking boots.
Bucket list trip: Antarctica, Brazil, Argentina, Mongolia, Japan (again), Western & Northern Australia, Alaska, Vietnam, South Korea, US & Canadian national parks, Madagascar, New Caledonia... Shall I go on?
Best airport: Singapore for the indoor waterfalls; Zürich for its clean, sleek design—and because it’s home.
Packing tip: Every item must serve multiple purposes. I have a black tank top that works for workouts and can double as a chic top with silk pants (which are also pajamas). I color-code my pouches for easy access and aim to pack only 70% full. Still working on sticking to that!
Advice for someone in a new country: Talk to people! My husband is a master at striking up conversations. He gathers the best local tips—from bartenders, shopkeepers, and fellow travelers—everywhere we go.
Podcast: Australian ABC’s Conversations and anything about oceans or volcanoes.
Book rec: While traveling, I switch from neuroscience to spy thrillers. I’m currently into Mark Greaney’s Grey Man series.
Mantra: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
Thank you, Alexandra for sharing a bit about your interesting life and this amazing opportunity to see the world.
Find out more about People Like Us:
Thinking about a career transition?
Alexandra can help!
But wait, there’s more! Since we’re talking travel this week, I’ve put together a collection of travel tips for your summer travels:
Wow have FitFlops changed since the clunky first versions ~ I mean, suede? Sneakers? So many options. Or maybe you prefer these hot summer footwear trends.
There are some great travel accessories (and other cool stuff) in this Amazon video and if you’re wondering where the 4th of July sales are happening, People Magazine has the dirt.
And hold the phone, I want joggers for travel that don’t just look comfy, but also stylish. I also want to buy a Spanx travel outfit every time I’m at the airport (there’s a Spanx store & I swear the pants call out to me each time I’m walking to my gate).
Concerned about safety while traveling abroad this summer?