How did you become interested in working with international students?
I have engaged and been around different cultures and learned multiple languages throughout a good chunk of my life. I have studied in Germany and I have traveled and find each culture and language unique and fascinating (I am a linguistics nerd).
After I received a Master’s in German Pedagogy and Culture from UW, I worked with international students through an exchange company where I would place high school students from Germany and Austria into families and schools in the U.S.
Now, I enjoy helping international students navigate their F-1 status 😊 and I am extremely lucky to be a part of their experience here and make connections.
Are you originally from Seattle? If not, where are you originally from and how did you end up in Seattle/what do you love about Seattle?
I am originally from Wausau, Wisconsin, but came out to Seattle in 2020 to start a master’s degree at UW.
What are you watching currently?
I am watching some K-dramas, Welcome to Samdal-ri (would highly recommend) and My Demon (both on Netflix).
Do you have any pets?
I have two cats, Charlie and Touka, who you can come see on the pet wall in the ISS office!
Do you have any unique hobby or skill? Is there something you want to learn?
I have many hobbies that I like to occupy my time. A few are, knitting, watching shows/movies, throwing pottery, sewing, embroidering, painting, charcoal drawing, running, baking or cooking some good vegan food, really, anything that I can DIY. Two unique skills I HAD was, I am a retired collegiate pole-vaulter and I used to figure skate competitively for the majority of my childhood and adolescence. I am open to learning anything new. I usually see something (either artistic or creative), and I always want to try it.
Anything you want international students to know about you?
I am a huge animal lover, I love snow, I have two sisters, an older and younger (I am the middle), and I come from a big Greek family on my mother’s side, and yes, it is just like My Big Fat Greek Wedding without the Windex.