We are excited to welcome Amber as our new Reception Team Program Coordinator! Amber is no stranger to our office—she was a student assistant at International Student Services (ISS) while attending the University of Washington. After graduating, she joined our team to continue supporting international students in this role overseeing the reception team.
The reception team is the first point of contact for students visiting ISS and includes Amber and a team of 6-8 student assistants. They help answer general questions via email, phone, or live chat, direct students to the right resources, and ensure that everyone who walks through our doors feels welcomed and supported. The reception team plays a crucial role in making ISS a helpful and friendly place!
We sat down with Amber for a quick Q&A so you can get to know her better!
Q: Are you from Seattle? If not, where are you from and how did you end up in Seattle?
A: I grew up in Bremerton, Washington – about an hour and a half away. I came to Seattle to attend UW!
Q: What inspired you to work with international students?
A: I love helping other people! UW is a big place with lots of resources, which is great but can also be incredibly overwhelming. Being able to connect students to the information they need is the best part of my job.
Q: Where have you lived or traveled, and do you have a favorite place?
A: I’ve lived in Washington for almost all of my life but I’ve been to Mexico City twice and would love to go back.
Q: What is one piece of advice you’d give to new international students?
A: One piece of advice I’d give to new international students is to utilize our advising services. Everyone at the office is friendly and ready to help!
Q: Do you have any hobbies? Any new skill or interest you’d like to learn or are currently learning?
A: I love to crochet, knit, and sew – basically anything to do with making clothes! I also enjoy reading and cooking.
Next time you’re in the ISS office, be sure to say hello to Amber! She and the reception team are here to make your experience at ISS as smooth and welcoming as possible.