At CISabroad, we feel that our strongest asset is our staff. From the moment you first hear from us, be it through a phone call, email, or personal visit, you will find someone that truly cares about helping you to find the best study or intern abroad program to fit your needs. Below you’ll find both our U.S. and overseas staff, who will work with you to ensure a rewarding experience.
Executive Management
Kris Holloway
President
Don’t be afraid to make language mistakes. Some of my best laughs ever are from either making a language faux pas myself, or hearing others make them. Some things are universally funny and when laughed over together, can result in a humor bond that can last a lifetime.
Kris became President of CISabroad in 2016 after a decade as its Director of University Relations. As such, she is responsible for the strategic direction of the company and developing and maintaining the CISabroad brand at home and abroad. She comes to education abroad from the international public health field and holds an MPH from the University of Michigan. Kris is the author of a travel narrative, Monique and the Mango Rains, based on her experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer in West Africa, and co-author of Shores Beyond Shores, the memoir of a Holocaust survivor. She deeply believes that international experiences transform individuals, who in turn create a more connected and compassionate world. She is the proud mom of two sons who have studied and volunteered abroad in Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Nepal, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and Thailand. She lives in Northampton, MA, with her husband and their giant black poodle.
Jeff Palm
Founder and Senior Vice President of Business Development
I first learn about a new culture through food. I try to understand what truly “local” dishes are and then find a “typical” place (non-tourist) at which to eat them. This has led to some of my most memorable experiences abroad.
Jeff holds a BA in Biology from the College of Saint Scholastica (MN), an MA in Management from Hawaii Pacific University (HPU), and his international experiences include working and traveling in more than 35 countries both with CISabroad and in past US university administrative positions. Jeff founded CISabroad in 1999 with the idea that field needed a education abroad provider that was more in tune with the changing diversity of participants studying and interning abroad. Today CISabroad is a leader in meeting the needs of students who come from a variety of socioeconomic and educational backgrounds, who identify across the spectrums of gender and race, and who purse a myriad of academic opportunities. Outside of the office, Jeff keeps busy hustling around the basketball court, spending time in the woods and water, volunteering with impactful, local organizations, and spending quality time with his wife and two sons.
Joe Debiec
Vice President of Program Operations
Find water and jump right in. Literally. There is something about being in the water that helps me get my mind to slowdown, settle in and get ready for adventure. So remember to take it slow, you will see more and feel more , which will deepen your experience.
Joe Debiec received a BA in anthropology from Vassar College and an MA in international education from the School for International Training. While growing up, Joe was always on the move, but stayed close to home in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate NY. His international adventures began in East Africa during his junior year of college, and since then he has spent the majority of his time abroad. Joe has studied, lived, and worked in Kenya, Japan, Oman, Senegal, Thailand, and Vietnam. These days, many of Joe’s adventures take place close to his home, in Northampton, MA. Among Joe’s favorite activities are eating sushi, drinking micro-roasted coffee, scuba diving, relaxing in hot spring bath houses, exploring places for the first time, bicycling, snowshoeing and snowboarding.
Candace Matta
Vice President of University Relations
Learn to be a traveler, not a tourist. Yes, there will always be the “touristy” things to see and do, but try to notice how the local people act, dress and behave.
Candace received a BS in marketing with a business communication minor from Bentley University. While at Bentley, Candace studied abroad for a semester at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) in Melbourne, Australia, which had a profound effect on her, especially because she is a first-generation college student. After college, she was drawn to the international education field as a program advisor and college relations representative, having worked in 25 states. In 2010, Candace earned an MA degree in Cultural and Education Policy Studies with a concentration in Comparative-International Education from Loyola University Chicago. Most recently, Candace has experience working with faculty-led programs for a university study abroad office. When she's not managing her amazing team at CISabroad, she's hanging with her Pug, eating charcuterie and cheese plates, running obstacle races, riding her candy-apple red Vespa (pretending she's in Tuscany), and making Polish dishes for her husband.
Jessica Jones
Assistant Vice President of Custom Programs
Expect the unexpected. Expect your plans to change. Stay flexible and laugh. Always laugh. Even when you cry, find the laughter.
Jess graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in French and comparative religion. She grew up in India, Indonesia, Kuwait, and Pakistan, and she graduated from high school in Abu Dhabi. After all that, Jess' biggest culture shock (still to this day) was moving "home" to her passport country of Mississippi. It was during an attempted escape from the US on a semester study abroad program to the Loire Valley, France, that Jess discovered deeply set roots in the Southern US. She decided after this life-changing realization that the field of education abroad was simply where she belongs. Jess moved to Massachusetts in the summer of 2013 where she lives in Northampton with her husband and cat (#kudzuthecat). Yes, she loves this state even in the winter and looks forward to her next opportunity to travel!
Brian Waldron
Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Management & Program Coordinator - Argentina, Ecuador, Peru
Get lost in your new city/location. It’s the best way to see somewhere new and will result in many exciting adventures.
Studying abroad was the best thing Brian has ever done with his life. He wanted to help more people have a similar experience, which sparked his interest in working for CISabroad. Brian earned a BA in political science from Siena College. He studied abroad in Ecuador and Namibia. He has traveled and worked in Argentina, Ecuador, England, Mexico, Peru, and South Korea. Brian enjoys having fun and taking it easy through consistent exercise in the form of hiking, running, cycling, and going to the gym. If he can be outside all day, he’s happy.
Program Management
Alexandra Woolner
MANAGER OF PROGRAMS - Asia, Pacific, and Africa
Expect the unexpected! Sometimes culture shock is stronger in countries where you expect things to be more similar to your home country and environment. Traveling abroad is an excellent way to learn more about your own culture, habits, style, and adaptability.
Alexandra has always had a love for travel, but experienced traveling alone for the first time when she decided to study abroad in the French Alpes while earning her bachelors degree at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Following graduation, she taught English in China, France, and South Korea. Alexandra also holds an MA in International Education from SIT Graduate Institute in Brattleboro, Vermont. Alexandra looks for opportunities to practice French and Mandarin as often as possible, and in her spare time likes repairing old typewriters, getting outdoors, writing poetry, and gently annoying her cat.
Joan Perreault
Manager of Programs - Europe and Latin America
Drink coffee the local way. Dine with a host family. Eat some recommended street food. Drink fresh juice from local fruits. Find that hole-in-the-wall restaurant that will probably serve the best meal of your time abroad (and it will likely cost less too!). Food and drink can be an excellent inroad to getting to know another culture.
Joan's study abroad semester in London as an undergrad was the key experience that inspired her career in international education. She has since worked in the areas of study abroad, foreign exchange, marketing, and international graduate admissions. Joan holds an MA in International Education from SIT Graduate Institute, and served for three years in Peace Corps Dominican Republic. She is a dual citizen of the US and Ireland, is fluent in Spanish, and has traveled to more than 30 countries. Outside of work, Joan enjoys spending time outdoors, practicing yoga, and looks forward to traveling with her new son to introduce him to the world.
Jessica Ahrens
Program Coordinator - Thailand, South Africa, Ghana, Hawai’i, January Multi-Country programs (except Mediterranean Culture)
Don’t be afraid to talk to strangers. Want to know the best place to eat or what to do with that free weekend you have coming up? Ask someone on the subway or a local street vendor. Their suggestion might just become your new favorite place!
Jessica recently moved to the Pioneer Valley from Florida, where she received her BA in social sciences. Her passion for travel began in high school when she traveled to Ecuador and Italy on school trips. In college, her wanderlust drove her to circumnavigate the globe via a study abroad program and later to backpack around Europe. She has visited over 20 countries, including Ghana, Morocco, Myanmar, and South Africa. She remains in constant awe of what the world has to offer. In her spare time, Jessica can usually be found baking cupcakes, listening to music, blowing glass, playing with her dog, or planning her next great adventure.
Jackie Langdon
Program Coordinator - Spain, Latin America, January Mediterranean Culture
Never forget to give yourself credit for making the decision to study abroad. Immersing yourself in another culture is challenging, but the memories and sense of personal growth you return with make study abroad all the more rewarding.
During her junior year at the University of Kansas, Jackie spent seven months studying journalism and international relations in San Jose, Costa Rica. Jackie's favorite part about her time abroad was living with her two amazing host moms, whose kindness continues to serve as daily inspiration. Upon returning to the states, Jackie decided to pursue a career in international education. She was driven by a desire to help people study abroad and become more globally aware citizens. After spending a semester in Central America, Jackie's love of travel grew even stronger. To date, she has visited seventeen countries and hopes to keep adding to the list! In her spare time, you can find Jackie singing '90s throwbacks, practicing yoga, cooking a new recipe, cozying up with a book, or exploring new places with good people.
Maggie McCally
Program Coordinator - England, Ireland, Scotland, Greece, British Isles, Celtic Culture, European Experience
Forgive yourself for not always knowing exactly what to do in a new place; if you’re humble, people will be happy to nudge you in the right direction. And always have a deck of cards in your backpack!
Maggie graduated from Bates College in 2008, having studied abroad in London, Rome, and Hungary. After a five year stage acting stint in San Francisco and Chicago, she realized that she was woefully behind on her life goal of becoming fluent in another language, so in 2014, she got TESOL certified, and spent most of the following two years in Peru and Ecuador teaching English as a Second Language and studying Spanish. She feels so lucky to have visited fifteen countries thus far, and is overjoyed to be at CISabroad, helping others to access the life-affirming magic of living abroad, and the perspective-altering adventures that make the world a more tolerant place.
Molly Bond
Program Coordinator - Italy, Mediterranean Culture (Summer)
The first chance I have in a new place, I like to either rent a bicycle or go running to get a better feel for my surroundings. Not only does this feel refreshing after time spent on the road or in the air, but it also gives you a great orientation to your destination.
Molly graduated from the University of Georgia in 2013, and cites the semester she spent studying in Oxford, England as what hooked her on international education. Since graduating from UGA with a B.A. in history and Spanish, Molly has taught in northwestern Spain, worked in the cloud forests of Costa Rica, and traveled to over fifteen other countries somewhere in the mix. She is especially passionate about encouraging students to learn a second (or third) language. Molly is thrilled to be at CISabroad, enabling other students to have the same earth-shaking learning experiences she has been blessed enough to have. In her spare time, you can find Molly with her nose in a book and feet on the dance floor (or in running shoes, on bike pedals, in hiking boots, etc.) – anything that gets her head and feet on the move.
Emma Van Loon
Program Coordinator - Australia and New Zealand
When I begin planning a trip I love to leave two or three days free. There are always fun activities you’ll learn about while in country so you don’t want to miss out on them due to over scheduling!
Originally from southern Massachusetts, Emma received her bachelors from the University of Rhode Island. Having her first international travel experience in grade school Emma knew she wanted to study abroad in college. After studying abroad in Australia, Emma instantly fell in love with the location, people and culture. She knew she wanted to help other students study abroad and make international education her career. Her travels have taken her to Europe, the Caribbean and Oceania. Emma is an avid coffee drinker, book worm beach goer and dog lover. Outside of work Emma loves to cook, attempt yoga, exercise and hangout with her animals!
University Relations
Kerry Smith
Director of University Relations
When possible, explore off the beaten path. Meet the locals, enjoy the food, take a walk and just get to know the destination. Start your connection to the new area as soon as possible.
Kerry, a New Jersey native, but a self-described New Englander at heart, received her BA in Public Relations and MS in Organizational Leadership from Southern New Hampshire University. The travel bug bit her young because by the age of 10, she had seen the house where her grandmother was raised in Ireland and had touched the Berlin Wall before it came down. She spent a year plus working for CIEE as Senior Manager of Institutional Relations helping her find a true fondness for the international education field as education is very important to her. Prior to that, she moved her way up at United Way to the Director level where she had the privilege of helping the residents of Greater Portland raise money by managing national campaigns. In her spare time, Kerry likes to ride and race motorcycles (at very, very fast speeds!), sip earl gray tea, enjoy time with friends over a nice glass of red wine and seek out new adventures.
Emily Negard
University Relations South Regional Director and Communications Manager
I always carry my travel journal along with colored pencils and a glue stick. When I have down time at the airport, train station, or a cafe, I’ll draw pictures, write notes, glue ticket stubs, postcards, receipts, and anything that will remind future me of the amazing trip I’m on!
Emily received a BS in business administration with a concentration in marketing and minor in international studies from the University of Connecticut and a Master's degree in international education from SIT Graduate Institute. Her journey towards a career in international education began when she traveled to China in high school and later studied abroad in Seville, Spain. She later returned to work as a language and culture assistant in Malaga, Spain. These experiences helped her to gain an understanding of and appreciation for different cultures and a desire to help other students have similar experiences. In her free time, Emily loves to hang out with her husband and baby girl, explore thrift and antique stores, do arts and crafts projects, and relax on her backporch with coffee in hand as she contemplates her next adventure!
Kylie Gallagher
University Relations Regional Director - West
Trip planning can be overwhelming and an over scheduled trip can be exhausting. Plan two activities you know you don’t want to miss and then leave room for the unexpected. You never know what might come along and a flexible schedule will allow you to take advantage of it.
Kylie holds a BA in intercultural studies and international politics from Westminster College and a MA in international education from SIT Graduate Institute. As an undergrad, Kylie studied abroad in three different countries: Australia, Ireland, and Spain. Her various positions in study abroad offices have allowed her to travel extensively in Australia, Europe, and Latin America. Because Kylie's own experiences abroad proved to be transformational, she's dedicated to helping students have their own life-changing experiences through travel. She is a firm believer in facing her fears and taking advantage of each opportunity, no matter how awkward or uncomfortable it may be. Originally from Pittsburgh, Kylie now calls San Diego home, where she can be found hanging out at the beach, cooking for friends, and preparing for new adventures.
Rachael Capuano
Senior University Relations Manager - New England
Be open! Open to meeting new people, trying new foods, and learning about a different culture. You’ll be surprised how much you learn about yourself and the world if you start any adventure with an open mind and positive attitude.
Originally from Upstate New York, Rachael experienced her first culture shock when she moved to Vancouver, Washington, as a teenager. Although she loved the Pacific Northwest, her desire to return to the East Coast brought her to Western New England University, where she graduated with a BA in international politics and Spanish culture. Her first study abroad experience was to Valladolid, Spain, where she spent two months in high school learning the language and eating tapas. Her junior year of college, Rachael returned to Spain, where she lived in Alicante for a semester and spent her weekends exploring the beautiful European cities. Her passion for travel has taken her to British Columbia, Mexico, Morocco, and New Zealand, and her favorite destination, Czech Republic. Rachael is an avid coffee drinker, dog enthusiast, and chocoholic. In her free time, she loves camping, kayaking with her Boston Terrier, Milo, and dreaming of her next adventure overseas.
Kent Moore
University Relations Manager - VA, NC, SC, WV
Taking photos is fun but try a week or just a day without using your camera. You might find that you have more unforgettable memories and fewer all-too-forgettable pictures. Great photos of the Taj Mahal are everywhere, but you only get one memory of seeing it for the first time.
Kent graduated from the University of South Carolina (USC) with a BS in international business and earned his MA in international relations from Leiden University. As an undergraduate, he couldn't get enough of education abroad, studying in Thailand, among other locations, and working as a peer advisor in USC's study abroad office. After college, Kent created abroadyssey.com, a website that serves as an orientation resource for education abroad participants. He has a firm belief that study abroad is one of the best decisions a person can make. With this credo in mind, he enjoys using his current role to help students discover the world. Kent has traveled widely in Europe and Southeast Asia, most recently living and studying in the Netherlands. He can be found in Upstate South Carolina, hiking with friends, cooking with his wife, playing soccer, or making large piles of sawdust.
Veelie Alba
University Relations Regional Director - Midwest
If traveling with others, try to carve out some time to do something by yourself. Relish in that moment. You might be surprised to discover or experience something new that you will appreciate either about yourself or this new place. Watch the sunrise, visit a bookstore, take a drop-in class…
For as long as Veelie can remember, she always knew she wanted to work in an international setting that values cultural learning and engagement. She graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College with a BA in International Management and completed a MA in International Education from SIT Graduate Institute. She studied abroad in semester programs in Beijing, China and Barcelona, Spain. She speaks Spanish and Hmong, and has dabbled with Chinese, Portuguese and Japanese. Veelie’s professional journey includes diverse experiences in talent acquisition, sales, retail management, youth programming, teaching, and higher education. Prior to joining CISabroad, Veelie directed the study abroad office at a small university in the Twin Cities. Her favorite travel destination has been to Tibet. When she is not exploring the world, she enjoys being with her dogs (Chato and Apollo), dancing, hanging out with family and friends, painting, gardening, hiking, biking, kayaking, and reading fiction.
Victoria Quill
Alumni and University Relations Coordinator
Try stepping out of your comfort zone and travel alone. Going abroad gives you the chance to be free and experience new things. It’s hard to fully immerse yourself and truly get a lot out of the experience if you’re around familiar faces.
Upon her return from CISabroad's Intern in Barcelona Program, Victoria became an alumni ambassador, then joined the UR Team as an institute trainee in December 2015. After a semester of traveling around the states promoting CISabroad, she had the privilege to return to Barcelona to help the on-site summer staff. Victoria has also traveled to Costa Rica, Italy, London, Paris, Puerto Rico, and islands in the Caribbean, and she desires to continue her travels. When she’s not on the road, you'll find Victoria adventuring around her homeland of the Connecticut River Valley (location of the CISabroad headquarters), where she has found an appreciation for the tranquility nature has to offer through activities like hiking, kayaking, running, and skiing.
Joey Dunaway
University Relations Manager - FL, GA, TN
Bring a reusable water bottle! It will help you stay hydrated and keep your energy up whether you’re exploring a new city or relaxing on the beach. And best of all – it will help you save money to spend on experiences and be kind to the earth!
Joey holds a BA from Mercer University, where he studied German and Religion, as well as an M.Ed in Counselor Education from Clemson University. Originally from the mountains of Northwest Georgia, Joey's first international experience was on a high school trip to Sweden. After this transformative trip, he knew he wanted to continue traveling and seeing the world. Since then, Joey has spent time living and working in Australia, Ireland, and the United Kingdom within international education. He is excited about helping others in the South have life-changing experiences abroad! Outside of traveling, Joey is a massive fan of Clemson football, Harry Potter trivia, Parks and Rec reruns, hiking, and, of course, drinking sweet tea.
Maura Smith
University Relations Manager - Southwest
Meet the locals. Travel isn’t just about seeing a new place, it’s about experiencing a new culture and its people. Locals will know amazing spots to visit that you won’t find in a guide book or travel blog. Take time to get to know your host city, it’s your home away from home.
Maura holds a BA in Spanish from Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania and a M.Ed in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of South Carolina (USC). During her academic career, Maura studied abroad for a semester in Seville, Spain and interned in the International Office at Maynooth University in Ireland. She credits her experiences studying and interning abroad, as well as the influence of amazing role models in the field, for her love of international education. In her free time, Maura is a self-diagnosed book worm who is typically reading at least two books at once. She is obsessed with her nephews and loves to spend time with her family and friends.
Overseas Staff
Romina Marchionne
Country Director of Italy
If while traveling there’s no internet, embrace it. Play a card game with someone in the hostel common room, read a book, lie on the beach, go for a walk, talk to a stranger, think about life. Some of my favourite travel memories are from times when I didn’t have an Internet connection.
Romina is a native Roman with a degree in International Communications and a degree in International Relations at the University for Foreigners of Perugia in 2005 and 2007. Shortly after graduating she moved back to Rome and began her study abroad career working for IES. In Rome she began pursing her MA in International Affairs at the SIOI. After completing an internship at the Italian Development Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome, her career took a turn as Romina was offered a position to work as a Communication and Public Information Officer within the civilian component of the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Herat for the NATO mission in Afghanistan. Between 2008 and 2009, Romina completed two missions in Afghanistan. In 2009 she began working for the Italian Embassy in Beirut (Lebanon) which then led her to cover the same position at the Italian Embassy in Sana'a (Yemen). In the Spring of 2011, the Italian government ordered embassy staff to return home due to the uncertain situation of the Arab Spring. Ever since, Romina has enjoyed her return to the eternal city and to her career in study abroad.
Jackie Chapman
Country Director of Australia; Site Director in Gold Coast, Australia
Get outside, take your time to walk around the streets of your new city or neighbourhood – get a feel for the people and what makes it unique. I love getting up early and exploring a new destination as it ‘wakes up’- it is an amazing time of the day to see a city or town slowly come to life.
Jackie has a passion for international education and travel having lived, travelled worked and studied overseas. Jackie was born on the Central Coast, NSW (on the coast half-way between Newcastle and Sydney) and now lives on the Gold Coast in Queensland. Jackie holds a Masters in Communication (Corporate Communication) from Bond University, QLD and a Bachelor of Social Science (Recreation and Tourism) from Newcastle University, NSW.
During the second year of her undergraduate degree Jackie received a student exchange scholarship to participate in a study abroad semester at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington. Upon her return from the US Jackie was employed by the International Office at University of Newcastle involved in Student Support and later International Admissions. Since this time Jackie’s 16 year career has been predominantly based in international education, including a two year position in Denver, Colorado working for a leading study abroad provider then continuing as their national Australian on-site resident director for another three years. Jackie has since worked in various marketing and management roles focused primarily on project management, large scale event management, sponsorship, new business launches and strategic planning.
The love of travel has always remained and has seen Jackie visit more than 21 countries including favourites Finland, Vietnam, Japan, Nepal and New Zealand. Jackie enjoys hiking, yoga, stand up paddle boarding, beach time, family adventures with her two amazing sons and did we mention travel!
Maria Lorenzo
Site Director of Sydney, Australia
Forget the phone! At least for a minute! Enjoy, take mental pictures and be present! Focus on the now and enjoy where you are. You will not regret taking time to appreciate all of this and you will have mental pictures that will carry a special meaning forever.
Although she is Spanish, Maria considers herself a global citizen. Maria completed her education in Media and Communication between Sevilla University (Spain), the University of Cardiff (Wales), and the University of Sydney (Australia). Her studies focused on sustainable leadership, international relations, languages and education. Maria fell in love with Australia in 2010 when she finished her degree with an international scholarship at Sydney University and decided to settle down there and finish her double Masters at Macquarie University. She believes in the positive impact of a study abroad program because she has seen it many times in her students and friends around the globe. Apart from working for CISabroad, Maria also teaches Spanish at the University of Sydney for the Centre of Continuing Education.
Her growing interest for a multicultural education started in her hometown, Sevilla. The capital of the beautiful Andalucia is the home of orange trees and impressive Gothic architecture where the mix of Jewish, Christian and Muslim heritage is still alive. Maria's passion for leadership education and meditation has taken her to write books on Mindfulness for children, a topic she enjoys researching and practicing and a great tool for good mental health. She enjoys reading, drinking tea and meditating.
Gemma Shaw
SITE DIRECTOR IN NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA
Search for local instagram and facebook pages on food and events around the place you are travelling to. You may find some local hidden gems or some cool experiences you would not have found otherwise. It also helps you get a feel for the place and its people.
Gemma is a born and raised Newcastle girl. She spends as much time in the water as possible and despite all her travels loves to return to her home in ‘Newy.’ She is in her penultimate year of law at the University of Newcastle (UoN). Throughout out her studies she has had the opportunity to travel to The University of Technology, Troyes in France to complete an intensive French language course and spent a semester studying history at McMaster University in Canada. Gemma has also worked as a theatre specialist at Camp Timberlane in Haliburton, Canada. Gemma is excited to help all study abroad students see the best of what UoN, Newcastle and Australia have to offer. Gemma is excited to use her international experience and her position as Vice-President of the University of Newcastle Exchange Student Network to help her in her role as Newcastle’s Site Director.
Tracy MacKeracher
Site Director in Townsville, Australia
Try to get ‘off the beaten path’ – sometimes the road less travelled is the one that leads to the most memorable experiences.
After earning a BSc in Biology at the University of Victoria (British Columbia, Canada), Tracy caught a serious case of the travel bug. Over a period of two years Tracy had the opportunity to visit over 10 countries, and in 2014 she spent a year travelling and working in Australia. In February 2016 Tracy returned to Australia to pursue her passion for marine conservation and begin a Master of Science in Marine Biology at James Cook University in Townsville, Queensland.
Tracy is a firm believer in the transformative power of travel - when we step out of our comfort zones and into new cultures, experiences and environments, we learn a lot about ourselves and what we’re capable of. Travelling has provided Tracy with some of the most memorable experiences of her life, and so naturally she was excited to join the like-minded team at CISabroad. In her role as Townsville Site Director, Tracy provides support to students studying at James Cook University and helps them make the most of their study abroad experience.
Shannon Campbell
Site Director in Melbourne, Australia
Try not to over plan. Having a schedule is great, but go for a wander and explore wherever you are with no maps or online recommendations. Sometimes the best things you will find are the ones you stumble upon!
Hailing from the eastern shore of the United States, Shannon made her way to Melbourne in 2013 and fell in love immediately. She studied a Bachelor of Environmental Studies and International Affairs at Northeastern University in Boston, USA, and went on to complete a Masters of Business Administration from RMIT University in Melbourne, VIC.
As an undergraduate, Shannon studied Portuguese in both Brazil and Portugal, worked in government in Washington D.C., and taught English in Indonesia. Her love of travel inspired her love of different peoples and cultures and her passion to always live like a local. In her spare time she enjoys the outdoors, reading crime novels, and searching for the best long black in town!
Anna Bermani
Student Affairs and Internship Coordinator in London
Save money on your Oyster Card and walk everywhere. There are so many different neighbourhoods that await to be explored and hidden treasures to be discovered. Get lost in the city and take time to enjoy the experience!
Anna holds a B.A. in English and German from Ca’Foscari University of Venice. The Italian village where she was born was never enough for her and from a young age she decided she wanted to see the world and meet a lot of people from different cultures. Fascinated by foreign languages and traveling she first studied abroad in London when she was in high school and then at Humboldt Universität in Berlin a few years after. New York City holds a special place in her heart, ever since he was an intern at the Italian Cultural Institute there. After volunteering and working for the not-for-profit association AFS Intercultural Program helping hundreds of high school students enroll and prepare for their experience abroad, she moved to London and focused on working with university students. She loves musicals, fashion, drinking green tea, studying Korean and backpacking throughout Southeast Asia.
Alessandro Bruno
Site Director in Florence
Never forget to pack an open mind, a lot of patience, a couple of snacks from home to cure homesickness and last but not least…serenity. Once in town, LOOK UP when walking around. Take a different route to class everyday. Live, love and accept your destination!
Alessandro Bruno was born in Maryland and raised in Rome, Italy. He has traveled extensively through Europe, Central America, North America and China. He definitely considers himself a citizen of the world. During his travels, he acquired a passion for the environment and preservation, cultures and languages. This passion led him to obtain a BA in Geography with a minor in Chinese Studies from Humboldt State University. In 2010 he spent a semester studying abroad at the University of Shanghai in China and has since become an even stronger proponent of study abroad programs, no matter where. Alessandro has also successfully completed the National Park Service Law Enforcement Training Program and a Wilderness First Responder course. Aside from traveling, Alessandro’s other favorite activities are wake-boarding, kayaking, diving, eating sushi, learning new languages, cooking and getting lost on purpose.
Chelsea Shea
Site Director in Ghana
When traveling to Ghana dress conservatively, and don’t forget your bug spray and suntan lotion.
Chelsea Shea lives in Cape Coast, Ghana. Her focus is in women empowerment and business moral concerning 21st century practices. Chelsea holds an Administrator 1 Certificate from McDaniel College, MD in 2014, M.Ed in Multicultural Dance Education from Lesley University, MA in 2008 and her B.F.A. in Dance Performance from Jacksonville University, FL in 2006. She has traveled and danced professionally in Canada, China, Ecuador, Ghana, Jamaica, and the Philippines. Chelsea worked previously from 2015-2106 as the Director of the Dance Department at Spring High School in Spring Texas, and 2009-2014 as a full time dance educator at Wiley H. Bates Middle School of the Performing and Visual Arts in Annapolis MD. Chelsea’s past endeavors include dancing half time of the Orange Bowl; Dancing in China as a USA Goodwill Ambassador at the International Tourism Festival; Dancing with the Leyte Dance Theatre in the Philippines; Dancing with The Capitol Movement Project in Washington D.C.
David Jackson
Site Director in Thailand
Looking for a cool and exciting way to explore Bangkok? The whole city used to be based around canals, so jumping on a boat gives you a way to get out of the traffic and experience the real Bangkok.
David was born in the UK and moved to the US when he was 16 and completed high school and University in Colorado. As an avid traveler, his first thought on graduation was to travel to Asia. He volunteered and lived with a family in Kathmandu for 2 months before traveling to Thailand. He quickly fell in love with the country and for the last 12 years has worked as a teacher, as a development officer in NGOs, and has worked with volunteers and study abroad programs for the last seven years. He has an MA in Asia Pacific Studies and is fluent in Thai. He loves his work because it allows him to share his love of Thailand and its people with participants and at the same time support the great things that people all over Thailand are doing every day.
Diana Balarezo
Site Director in Ecuador
Ecuador is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world and home to 14 different indigenous nationalities. Be prepared to experience new landscapes, aromas, tastes, sounds and people. Respect the places and the people you will be with and never stop learning!
Diana Balarezo is a trilingual (Spanish, English and French) Ecuadorian that has worked in the tourism industry for many years. An active volunteer of the United Nations World Tourism Organization, she earned her Bachelor's degree in Tourism Development and Hospitality and a Master’s degree in Social and Environmental studies. Diana was the Ecuador national coordinator of a volunteers’ non-profit organization with more than eighty member countries, as well as the US market leader of the biggest tourism company in Ecuador. She lived in the US as a student and after, as a restaurant manager at a Ski Resort in Idaho, where she learned to snowboard and still misses it. She has traveled extensively around Ecuador, backpacked in Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Guatemala and Mexico. She has camped in some National Reserves in the US and Canada and has visited Spain, France, Italy, Belgium, Austria, among others. Diane's hobbies include sports such as trail running and mountain biking, as well as watching movies and reading a nice book.
Drasko Djurovic
Site Director in Paris
Travel is not only, as Mark Twain said, fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness. It also the best possible recipe for happiness, so explore, dream and discover.
Drasko was born in Belgrade, Serbia, and graduated from the University of Belgrade - Faculty of Law, where he also obtained a master's degree in constitutional law. He worked as an associate in a law firm in Belgrade and was hired by the Official Journal to analyze the jurisprudence of the Serbian highest courts. However, he decided to leave his comfort zone, and to come to France, where he obtained a second master's degree in comparative law at Sorbonne University. He fell in love with Paris or more preciously with one beautiful inhabitant of this amazing city and is currently a Ph.D. student at the School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences. Drasko was a participant of numerous seminars, conferences and summer schools in Serbia, France and worldwide. He is a national rowing umpire in Serbia and in France and he raced several half marathons. He accomplished skydiving course and has an international diver certificate.Drasko is a self-proclaimed expert in finding the best low-cost train and airplane tickets.
John Hayes
Site Director in Ireland
Spend as much time outside of Dublin as in. If heading to the west coast visit Sligo and Donegal. They’re stunning. In the South check out Tipperary and the Viking-founded town of Wexford. Travel tip: Pack your bags then take out half the contents.
John Hayes was born and raised in Ireland. He grew up on a dairy farm in Tipperary before heading to college. He studied at the National University of Ireland, Galway and University of Limerick. John adores travelling and has lived and worked in five different European countries. He has taught in Spain, Germany, Ireland and the United Kingdom, worked on farms in The Netherlands and has led study abroad programs in the British Isles and Austria. John believes both International education and travel are essential in today’s world. He is on hand to help smooth your path while you’re abroad. John is married to Anja. Fifteen years and counting! Together they have a teen (Nathan,14) and tween (Lauren, 12). When John isn’t dealing with teen versus tween friction and angst he loves watching westerns, war films and watching/tweeting about sport. He’s completely crazy about almost all sports and will invariably want to take you to games of some description. All in all he’s a very friendly person who always wants to help others achieve their goals.
Leah Takata
Site Director in Czech Republic
Whether ordering from an open air stall or a restaurant, always remember to say good day (dobrý den) and thank you (děkuji). Czechs will welcome your effort and will be more helpful and perhaps even give you a smile.
Leah Takata was born in Toronto, Canada and graduated from the University of Toronto with a BA in Arts Management with a major in Art History. She worked for seven years at the University of Toronto as Cultural Affairs Coordinator organizing arts and cultural events for the students, faculty, staff and surrounding community. During her time at the university she produced and organized four international theatre exchanges with Ypsilonka Theatre and the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (DAMU) in Prague. This unique project brought together theatre students from Canada, Czech Republic and professional actors from First Nations theatre group "De-ba-jeh-mu-jig Theatre Group" (Manitoulin Island). Leah is excited to once again work with university students and impart the beauty and spirit of, "The city of a hundred spires." Leah has lived in Prague since 2007 and spends her free time with her two children, partner, as well as her growing photography and graphic design business.
Linda Hallbäck
Site Director London
Be patient with yourself and kind to those you meet along the way. Show gratitude daily, laugh often, and give thanks for the journey you are on. There will be hard days, but remember, the magic is in the journey and each day makes that journey complete. Smile!
Linda was born and raised in Skanör, Sweden, but has spent the past sixteen years studying and working in the United States, Australia and Italy. An international student for more than seven years, she holds a Masters in International Relations from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia and a Bachelors degree in History and Political Science from Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia. Most of her professional experience is within the field of Student Development, but she has also spent more than six years directing a travel program aimed at offering American study abroad students abundant travel opportunities throughout Europe and beyond. As a result, Linda has traveled extensively, visiting more than 60 countries across the globe. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and writing. Linda is an avid runner and coffee drinker.
Lisa Beardsley
Site Director in Hawai'i
Pack for summer! Hawai’i’s temperature is 86F and sunny all year round. Drink lots of water and don’t forget your sunscreen! Arrive with an open mind and a sense of adventure.
Lisa has been the CISabroad Site Director in Hawaii for over 7 years. Lisa is very active in the movement to rejuvenate Hawaiian culture and language and has directed the US Federal Grant devoted to re-integrating the Hawaiian language into the local schools curriculum for several years. She also helps at risk youth as a mentor. She arranges numerous excursions throughout the term that are customized to each group's interests. Past excursions have included surfing or fishing trips, camping, or trips to local restaurants if you love to eat! Lisa also arranges a day of community service for all the students during your time in Hawaii.
Lisa Pinheiro
Site Director in Costa Rica
Dont limit yourself to the more popular tourist spots. There are tons of lesser known places that are beautiful and rich in culture where you can really experience what Costa Rica is all about!
Lisa was born in Costa Rica and has lived in the United States on several occasions. She is an alumni of Veritas University, where she majored in photography, and is currently pursuing her bachelors degree in Tourism and Hotel Management. She is passionate about travel, and has had 10 years of experience leading study abroad groups all throughout Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama. In her free time Lisa enjoys going to art exhibits, watching movies, dancing and learning new languages. She speaks Spanish, English and Portuguese, and is currently learning French.
Marina Weinstein
Site Director in Argentina
Bring comfy shoes as Buenos Aires is very walkable. A great pastime is simply walking the city with no time restriction or plans. Also, get used to saying hi with a hug and a kiss.
Marina was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She is passionate for traveling, animal and specially dogs lover and defines herself as an aspirational veggie.
Over the last ten years she has been working on a small business of her own, dedicated to build travel programs for groups that want to experience Buenos Aires in an alternative way. She studied Social Communications at the University of Buenos Aires and specialized in Digital Strategies and Content. She is very happy to be part of the growing CISabroad, offering her expertise as a traveler and as a pure "Porteña" to excited students. In her free time she practices yoga, paints, cooks healthy food and enjoys meeting with friends. She is married and has a dog named Dark - but she calls him Pepino (cucumber).
Pasqual Bisogno
Site Director in South Africa
Be brave, be soft, stay open to opportunities and adventure, wear sunscreen and a smile and most importantly always trust your instinct. Travel allows you to view the world but in the end you realise that what you really discovered is yourself.
Pasqual, a South African born and raised in Cape Town has a passion for people and travel. The travel bug bit her when she embarked on an exchange program to Italy at only 16 and she hasn't stopped since. She completed her Psychology Honors degree at the University of Stellenbosch, volunteering in many organisations assisting the local townships in the surrounding areas, it was there that she was introduced to the international volunteer and student community and witnessed how much they got out of experiencing the uniqueness of South Africa. It is flavor and beat which she wishes to share with you. After her studies she worked as a tour guide in Europe for three years solidifying her passion for making peoples holiday dreams a reality. She then went on to work in operations for the tour company as they made their big move to South East Asia. After living in Thailand for a year she heard the call for home and has since returned. As a registered tourist guide in South Africa she hopes to continue sharing her love for people, travel and her country.
Patricia Dongo Soria
Site Director in Lima, Peru
When in Lima, try different local dishes choosing from the variety of restaurants like “Gianfranco” in Miraflores. Try the amazing ceviches and other sea food alternatives at “Al Fresco” and dinner overlooking an beautifully illuminated view of the Huaca Pucllana (adobe pre-inca living quarters) in the restaurant “Huaca Pucllana.”
For almost thirty years Patricia has been working in the field of international education. She loves her country and enjoys sharing the generosity and variety of Lima cultures to her students. She has lived abroad: three years in Chile, Washington D.C. almost four, Florence for eight months and Rome two years, Guayaquil, Ecuador six years as well as in Holland for six years. Patricia is a mother of three children, now grown, and each of them have been students abroad so she knows what it is like.
Rattapong “Yahya” Wongkanya
Site Director in Bangkok, Thailand
Thai people love to share and talk with westerners, learn a few words of Thai and make an effort to talk to them and it will open up so many opportunities to try the food, be invited to people homes or learn more about this amazing country.
Yahya was born Thailand, and holds a BA in International Relations from Thammasat School of Political Science. He was also an exchange student at National University of Singapore. He has traveled overseas to explore different parts of the world such as Copenhagen, Cairo, Hawaii, Colorado, Washington D.C., Hong Kong, Japan, India, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. Yahya has worked with many foreigners from various backgrounds and experiences on different projects in including NGOs, the Thai embassy and Google. He is strongly passionate about Social Enterprise and Sustainable Development. He is optimistic, friendly, outgoing and loves to share Thailand with others and enjoys spending time with his friends and family. Yahya speaks Thai, English and is currently learning French.
Sara Hazzard
Site Director of Madrid, Spain
Slow down! Before jet setting off to multiple countries, take time to get to know the place you decided to call home for the next few months. The best travel experiences occur when you meet locals and learn about activities that aren’t in your guidebook.
Sara Hazzard moved to Madrid from her hometown of Philadelphia, PA. She received her M.A. in International Education/Bilingualism from the Universidad Camilo José Cela and proceeded to work in the field as an English language teacher. Passionate about exploring and cross cultural exchange the move to Spain was a natural fit. Sara’s first encounter with international travel was during her undergraduate studies when she decided to study abroad in Granada, Spain. Falling in love with the Spanish language, she continued on to Buenos Aires, Argentina to extend her awareness of different accents and linguistics. Finally settling in Madrid, Sara applies her own experiences as motivation to support students while studying and living abroad. As Site Director in Madrid, her goal is to welcome students to Spain’s vibrant capital, engage them with the locals through different activities, and deepen their understanding, along with their appreciation, of Spanish culture. In her free time, Sara tours different villages and cities in Spain. She also enjoys cooking, running, and a good book written in Spanish.
Jeff Sinding
Site Director in Japan
When choosing places to travel, venture to locations with a culture entirely different than your own, where the language, food, behaviors, traditions, ways of thinking, and ways of working and living are totally foreign to you. The experience will be transformative in good ways and stay with you for a lifetime.
Jeff was born in central New Jersey and moved up to northern New Jersey after graduating from Rider University where he studied Business Administration. In his first job after graduation, he worked for a small College in northern New Jersey where he started the Office of International Programs, Study Abroad programs, language programs, and established international exchange programs with the College. He was sent to tour Asia to establish international educational exchanges and within ten years working at the College, he established many partnerships and coordinated exchanges for humdreds of students from all over Asia. After establishing over fifty exchange partnerships and after traveling throughout Asia extensively, he decided to move to Tokyo to expand on the business. Since then, he has developed many programs and support systems for students from all over the world to study in Japan as well as specializing in study abroad programs, human resources, teacher management, and language and exchange programs in Japan and in other Asian countries.
Jeanna Brady
Site Director in Scotland
Plan ahead to make the most of your time in Scotland. There so many free activities. There are public galleries and museums, live music sessions, open-to-roam landscape, and a great range of clubs and societies on and off your campus!
Jeanna was born overlooking Loch Ness and grew up in the Highlands of Scotland on the West Coast. She studied in Edinburgh, and after majoring with a science degree, went on to work as a local and central government officer often giving lectures to undergraduates in local Universities. “My family has a strong Scottish heritage on one side, Clan MacDougall (who once owned and controlled vast lands in the West of Scotland, the Clan now ‘impoverished’ nobility) and on the other a lineage of Cuthberts going back to St. Cuthbert (whose legacy still influences society today). My Celtic roots give my family our language, music, fun, compassion and culture which continue to this day. Learning and education has been a strong influence in the family over generations. Like many Scots I enjoy the fantastic landscape here, from great sailing in the West, to off-road motorcycle and skiing in the Highland. Jeanna delights in meeting visitors to her city and country, and shares with them the real Scottish experience.
Helena Henare-Coolen
Site Director of New Zealand
Leave the umbrella at home as it is no match for the capital known as ‘Windy Wellington”. Make sure you pack a good raincoat and some warm socks.
Helena was born and bred in Wellington, New Zealand but a curious spirit and a former career took her to Australia and throughout Europe. Since returning to NZ she, started “a pay it forward” social enterprise called the Steampunk Food Van that provides meals for people living on the street or in poverty. She is a passionate social entrepreneur who is forever exploring and learning new things about people, community and environmental sustainability. In her spare time you will find Helena frollicking about the vast area of NZ that is protected national park, or enjoying a specialty coffee at one of the many cafes that are popping up: New Zealand is fast becoming a nation of coffee drinkers, whilst many Kiwis will still ask if you’d like to join them for a “cuppa tea” when you visit their home.
Jing Chen
Site Director in Shanghai
Shang has a long history. At Puxi, you can walk along streets and see all historic buildings around you. You may hear they are telling those old stories to you. At Pudong, you will see all modern buildings and they presents how China has developed so far.
Jing graduated from the University of Oregon in 2014 with a degree in Marketing. She has a passion for education, having taught English as a volunteer in Rural China for 2 years after graduating. Jing loves reading, watching plays, and jogging with her black Labrador “Kat”.
Marta Vila
Site Director in Barcelona
Be open to try the local food! Let a local Catalan or Spanish friend pick some options for you and get ready to be amazed and discover new flavors. If you ask me, go for the seafood ‘fideuá’. You will have a good laugh learning how to open the shrimps!
Marta received a BA in French and English Translation and Interpretation and a MA in Communication Management from the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF). Marta started traveling around Europe in motorway with her parents at the age of five and she has not stopped ever since. She has had the chance to study abroad twice, in France and in Belgium, and she has also worked abroad in Ecuador for 6 months. She currently lives in the cosmopolitan city of Barcelona and among her favorite activities are cooking, learning new languages, reading thriller books and planning her next adventure.
Peggy Ryan
SITE DIRECTOR IN FLORENCE
Google Maps is the travel tool I can’t live without. I save my most important addresses in it, like my hotels, and even drop pins in it to save important locations like taxi stands, train stations, and restaurants I’d like to try.
Peggy was born in West Africa and soon after moved to her first home in the United States with her first-generation Irish-American grandparents in Brooklyn, NY. She grew up in the small border community of El Centro, CA and then lived in San Diego for many years, studying at the UC San Diego and working at The Old Globe Theatre. Her studies then brought her to Carnegie Mellon University, and finally, Bologna, Italy, where she completed a dual masters Arts Management program. After nearly four years in Bologna, Peggy now enjoys helping students navigate their own travel and cultural discoveries.
Evgenia Karamani
SITE DIRECTOR IN GREECE
To explore a new country, I choose to walk rather than take transportation even for longer distances. It helps you better feel the vibration and get into the pace of local life. Makes you hungrier for local dishes, too!
Upon completing my Bachelor's degree in Law at the University of Athens, I set off to the majestic south of France for my Master's studies, an experience that has left a strong impression on me and planted the seed for wanting to work with international students. After practicing law for nearly 10 years I decided to take a career turn and become a certified Counselor which led to my enrollment for a Master's program in Psychology at Hellenic American University. This is where I found myself in a highly multinational environment and I had the chance to take in the wealth of experience and perspective that comes with interacting with people from different cultures. The time had come for that seed to sprout! When not lost in my Psychology books, I love to ride my bike uphill or attend my traditional dance classes.
Peter Lutze
Site Director in Germany
While most Germans these days speak English (and will likely be eager to showcase their abilities with you), do make an effort to learn German language and culture, as these will only add to your understanding and appreciation of your new home.
Peter Lutze attended Valparaiso University as an undergraduate. He received an MFA in filmmaking from Brandeis, a J.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a Ph.D in communication with an emphasis in Cinema Studies from UW-M. He taught for 22 years in the Department of Communication at Boise State University. His teaching interests are cinema, critical media studies, video production, documentary film, intercultural communication and gender studies. Professor Lutze co-founded Treasure Valley Community Television and served as director of University Television Productions and the cinema and digital media studies program at Boise State University as well as the Idaho Film Center. His interests include literature, film, ornithology, and travel.
Thanh Nguyen
Site Director in Vietnam
Be open minded with the new culture, cuisine, lifestyle etc. You can learn a lot through exploring, adapting and respecting new a culture, a new country. Be well prepared and planned to avoid culture shock in the first few days. Nowadays, there are many travel blogs, food review shows etc. that you can check as a pre-departure information then explore yourself later and have your own stories.
I was born and grew up in Ho Chi Minh City, one of the biggest and most popular cities in Vietnam. I earned my BA in Sociology from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities – Vietnam National University in Ho Chi Minh City and spent more than a year in Holland for the certificate of International Communication. Since that study abroad experience, I have been always working in the field of Education, especially assisting Vietnamese students with planning and preparing for studying abroad. I have had opportunities to travel and explore different parts of the world such as Europe (Holland, Belgium, France, Germany), Australia, and Asia (China, Korea, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore). I'm keen on sharing my Vietnam with visitors. I enjoy spending time with my son, my friends and relatives, writing my own fiction stories, and watching television series.
Global Advising
Angelo Pisano
Assistant Director
Take only memories and leave nothing but footprints. Be aware of the space that you are occupying in your host culture. Talk, talk, and talk some more with the locals no matter how uncomfortable you feel!
Angelo was first bitten by the travel bug when he left his native Pennsylvania for Germany as an exchange student in high school. He then lived in Morocco for another academic year in college, earning an international studies degree at Lock Haven University. Aside from his studies abroad, Angelo lived in Istanbul, Turkey, for three years where he taught English. He is passionate about refugee education and jazz music. He's also visited Cyprus, France, India, Italy, the Netherlands, and Poland. He recently earned his master's degree in international education from the School of International Training (SIT) Graduate Institute in Vermont and is enjoying his first foray into life in New England.
Chris Batchelder
Student Advising Coordinator
If you cannot sleep on planes, do not try to stay up all night in hopes you will get some shut eye on your flight. I tried this once and turned into a sleep deprived zombie by the time I landed. Not pretty.
Chris has lived and worked in various countries throughout the world and plans to keep his list growing. He believes that making friends on site is the best way of understanding cultures. Tourism offers rich history and activities to the student abroad, but Chris advises that getting off the beaten path is the key ingredient to a life changing study abroad experience. When Chris travels, eating the local cuisine is hands down his favorite activity. Some notable triumphs of his consist of raw horse in Japan and sheep face in Morocco. As a student advisor, Chris is dedicated to giving the most relevant information that will enhance travel experiences. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, cooking, camping, reading, and writing. Chris conquered Keene State College and plundered a BA in psychology with minors in communications and Italian from the spoils.
Brittany Garand
Senior Advisor
You can stick to an itinerary, but always have a contingency plan so you don’t miss out on an unexpected opportunity. It may be what makes your trip most memorable. Also, always pack underwear. Lots of it. You can literally never have enough underwear when you travel.
Brittany is a local to the area and graduated from Westfield State University with a degree in marketing communications. A semester abroad at the University of Limerick in Ireland ignited a love of travel and introduced her to the field of international education. Outside of work, Brittany loves to knit, prowl thrift stores for hidden gems, attempt to DIY crafts she finds on Pinterest, binge watch Netflix, enjoy a nice glass of wine and a home-cooked meal, and travel as much as possible. However, there’s nothing she loves more than cuddling up and reading with Picasso and Potatoes, her two pups.
Patrick Harvey
Student Advisor
Traveling to a new country can be stressful, so learn to embrace the stress. Everything always seems to work out in the end.
Patrick graduated from SUNY Stony Brook with a BA in anthropology. During his senior year, he studied abroad in Madagascar and Kenya. After graduation, he volunteered at a baboon research outpost in Awash National Park, Ethiopia, for nine months. A year later, he then traveled to Malawi where he volunteered at a village community center, teaching IT to students and adults. Studying abroad was one of the defining characteristics of his undergraduate career, and is something that Patrick believes every student should take part in. The new cultures and people he experienced and met instilled a great love for the world outside the US. It's the reason he continues to champion the benefits of studying abroad through CISabroad.
Custom Programs
Aaron Faucher
Assistant Director of Custom Programs & Inclusive Outreach
Learn a few phrases in the local language (besides “thank you”). Practicing your new vocabulary when meeting new people will often earn you a compliment on your skill, or maybe just a smile or laugh. Either way, it’s a great icebreaker!
Aaron earned both a BA and an MS in international studies from Central Connecticut State University. His first trip to Western Europe as a foreign language student in high school sparked a life-long passion for global exchange. Throughout college, Aaron participated in a faculty-led program in London and spent a semester in Normandy and a semester in the South of France. After earning his MS degree, Aaron continued exploring the world, traveling through parts of Latin America, eastern Asia, and the farther reaches of Europe -- including a stint living in Malta! Over the years working in international education, Aaron realized his calling is to help people move around the world in order to meet and better appreciate one another. CISabroad, an organization that strives to make studying abroad more accessible to today's diverse student body, enables Aaron to act on that calling.
Jamie Hammond
Manager of Faculty-Led Programs - South East Asia
Don’t be afraid of street food! It’s often the least expensive and most delicious. You’ll learn the true strength of your stomach and might even come home with a few new favorite treats (or at the very least, some good stories!)
Jamie, a New England native, somehow managed to complete both her undergrad and graduate studies in California before winding back up in Massachusetts working with CIS. After receiving her BA from Pomona College in environmental chemistry (2011), she worked in Boston for a time before jetting off to work in Thailand where her passion for international education really blossomed . In 2013, she returned to the West Coast to complete her MA in international education management at the Middlebury Institute for International Studies (MIIS) in Monterey. She's been with CIS ever since! When not at her desk, Jamie enjoys all outdoor pursuits (especially hiking around New England), cooking (and eating), and exploring new corners of the world with her husband.
Alyx Raffo
Senior Faculty-Led Programs Coordinator - Ireland, Scandinavia, Central & Eastern Europe
Instead of taking a picture, try writing down what you see in a travel journal! Even now, years after my study abroad experience, my journal from that time brings back some of my favorite (and most hilarious) memories.
Alyx grew up in Upstate New York and received her BA in psychology from Western New England University. She embarked on her first international adventure at the age of ten when she traveled to Australia and New Zealand with her family. The trip left her intrigued by the Land Down Under and inspired her to return for an unforgettable semester at Bond University on the Gold Coast of Australia. Alyx has traveled extensively throughout Europe (her favorite European cities so far are Berlin, Copenhagen, Lisbon, and London) and to South Africa. During her down time, she enjoys weekend getaways to visit family and friends throughout the Northeast, sweating through a boot camp class at the gym, or enjoying one of Northampton's many local eateries.
Beth Cahoon
Senior Faculty-Led Programs Coordinator - Spain, U.K., Middle East, Africa
The unexpected will happen. Turn the stress into an adventure and a story!
Beth graduated from the University of Kentucky with a BA in international studies and a minor in Spanish (GO CATS!). The summer after her junior year, she studied abroad in Sevilla, Spain. She knew she wanted to spend more time abroad. After graduation, she returned to Spain to teach English in Madrid for one year. In addition to an amazing time in Madrid, Beth traveled throughout much of Europe. Some destinations included Greece, Hungary, Iceland, and Scotland. A random search for a warm place in Europe in March turned into an adventure in Malta, which has become one of her favorite places. Beth enjoys hanging out with friends, playing volleyball, hiking, and exploring new places!
Adam Freed
Faculty-Led Programs Coordinator - North & South America, South Pacific (Australia & New Zealand), India
Don’t be too focused on seeing all the things that people tell you that you HAVE to see. Let your curiosity guide your experience. Folks miss the best parts of being abroad by only seeing the world through their camera lens. Live your experience. Breathe it, taste it, touch it.
Adam is a bit of a nomad, and has lived in Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Kentucky, Indiana, Iowa, Vermont, and now Massachusetts! After graduating from Spring Arbor University with a B.A. in Global Studies (2012), he spent the next three years serving in AmeriCorps in various programs and roles. He then decided to continue his education at SIT Graduate Institute, where he will receive his M.A. in International Education in May 2017. Adam loves to study in places that are off the beaten path, including India and Jordan. When he’s not in the office, Adam loves to hike, bike, and kayak. He’s also a big fan of board games, and tends to get carried away during late-night games of Settlers of Catan!
Danielle Raad
Faculty-Led Programs Coordinator - Italy, Greece, France, East Asia (China, Japan, Korea)
Keep your eyes open and walk slowly! Notice the details: the smell of a bakery; the texture of a wall; the tone of the locals. You’ll feel more connected to a new location when all of your senses are engaged, and it will hold more strongly in your memory.
Danielle grew up traveling internationally, particularly visiting her grandparents in Lebanon. She graduated from Brown University with a B.Sc. in Chemistry after spending semesters studying abroad in London and Beirut. Danielle holds an M.A. in Chemistry from Harvard University and an S.M. in Archaeological Materials from MIT. For her thesis research, she spent summers conducting archaeological fieldwork in Jordan. Danielle also completed an M.Ed. in High School Education from Lesley University. Following four years as a high school science teacher, she is excited to merge her passions for education and travel into a new career in international education. Danielle’s favorite cities include Copenhagen, Rome, and Ljubljana. She always photographs and writes about the locations she visits, and hoards ephemera to scrapbook or to send in letters to pen pals around the world. In her free time, Danielle enjoys climbing, yoga, reading fiction, sewing, and snuggling with her cat.
Alexandra Kenney
Faculty-Led Programs Team Assistant
Take advantage of every opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture. Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone by trying new things and meeting new people!
After a study abroad trip to South Africa in high school, I was inspired to further pursue my love of travel and international education. I moved overseas for college to attend the National University of Ireland, Galway where I received my Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Science in Marketing degrees. During this time, I traveled extensively throughout Ireland as well as to England, Scotland, France, Italy, and Belgium. I also started the first women's lacrosse team in Galway, which was a great way to mesh cultures and meet new friends from all over the world. In my free time, I love exploring my native New England, hiking, skiing, and chatting to friends over a cup of tea.
Marcella McNerney
Faculty-Led Programs Team Assistant
My favorite piece of travel advice: get your coffee from the same place every day! The locals will soon recognize you and it’s a great way to get chatting with them and hopefully get some insider tips for the place your visiting!
I graduated UMass Amherst with a degree in English and Classical Studies, both subjects I love! I spent a semester studying in Rome, Italy, and then I spent a year teaching English at a secondary school in Madrid, Spain. I've fallen in love with traveling and life abroad, and am hoping to keep that theme going throughout my life! In my spare time I love to read and spend time with my family and friends.
Enrollment Management
Michelle Everard
Internships Program Manager
Journal, journal, journal! Write down the little things, the strange details & whatever made you laugh. It’s the little things that make a trip amazing and are easily the most forgotten.
Michelle has suffered from severe wanderlust since her first trip abroad at the age of 17 and doesn't see it coming to an end any time soon! A graduate of Boston University, she studied and interned in Paris while completing her Bachelor degrees in Journalism and International Relations. Since graduating from university she has worked with students internationally and traveled to almost 50 different countries. Newly returned from living and working in Ireland for the past four years, she is delighted to be back in New England. She is a library enthusiast, most often found snuggled down with a good book and a nice cuppa tea.
Keegan Burdette
Internship Enrollment Advisor
My travel necessities are an open mind, a wristwatch and a journal.
A California native and University of Maine graduate, Keegan has always been an explorer at heart. From being a high school exchange student in Spain, to volunteering in Latin America & Africa, to interning in Thailand, her mission is to see the world in as many capacities as possible. This mission has led her to share her enthusiasm for the world and new experiences with others so they too might bask in the beauty of the world via international education. You can usually catch her diving under the sea, roaming the desert, jumping out of planes or just reading a good book.
Jennifer Markey
Admissions Assistant
When it comes to sharing your travel stories with others, a picture is really worth a thousand words! Get creative and take photos of the world around you, so when your trip ends, you will have those visuals to help you remember every detail.
Jen is a lifelong Massachusetts resident whose passion for literature and history inform her enthusiasm for travel. She has been to all four corners of the continental US, and particularly loves to take photographs of unique landscapes and foliage she encounters. One of her favorite photos was taken at the Grand Canyon as the sunset shone through a sudden rainstorm. When at home, Jen likes to invite friends over for tabletop games or listen to podcasts while she plays with her two pet rats.
Babatunde Ajao
Admissions Assistant
Make it a priority to visit open space markets and shops of the country you visit, you will understand a lot more about the culture of the place. Also, try to visit tourist destinations at the least busy hours, that is when the real historians work.
Babatunde Ajao is currently a Graduate student at School for International training studying Sustainable Development. He holds a B.S. in Mathematics from Randolph College. During his academic year, Babatunde participated in a dolphin research project in Greece where he created a mathematic model to determine the lifespan of dolphins in the Northern Aegean Sea. He also spent a year in the Marshall Islands volunteer teaching mathematics, business math, and Chemistry to high school students. He is fluent in five languages and has traveled to places like Morocco, Togo, and France. Originally from Nigeria, he jokes that he is always living the international education experience. In his free time, he enjoys playing football, reading books and running.
Erin Hardee Patterson
Admissions Assistant
Ask locals where their favorite places to eat are! There’s nothing like an incredible, locally made meal at a place off the usual touristy path.
Erin Hardee Patterson earned a Bachelor's of Music in Music Therapy at Berklee College of Music, and her Master's in Music Therapy from Florida State University. Her professional adventures as a board-certified music therapist, event coordinator, admissions professional, project manager, and newly trained birth doula helped her to live all over the United States- from her home state of Virginia, to New Orleans and Maine, to Tallahassee and Phoenix (to name just a few!). In addition to her US travels, a ferocious case of wanderlust inspired Erin to travel to The Netherlands, Canada, Germany, France, and Belgium. (The wanderlust is no joke- this bio was written on a plane!). She enjoys practicing her conversational French and American Sign Language, and has aspirations of one day carrying on conversations in Spanish (hopefully on a beautiful balcony in Spain). Erin is a new transplant to the Northampton area with her firefighter/paramedic spouse Max, their dog Eleanor, and 3 very fat house cats. She is passionate about tiny humans, music, yoga, beautiful bodies of water, succulents, two steppin', empowering families to have joyous, satisfying births, and being a smiley muppet. Erin also has a cute dog that will be making office visits :)
Marketing & Communications
Jenn Weisgerber
Director of Marketing and Communications
I think one of the most grounding things you can do in a new location is take some time to appreciate the natural beauty around you – notice what’s different and new, and especially notice what you may not see again.
Jennifer’s background includes nonprofit and B2B marketing, communications, graphic design, event planning, and writing, supplemented with a healthy obsession for photography. A recent transplant from Bismarck, North Dakota (yes, where the air hurts your face), she studied journalism and writing at Bismarck State College and Dickinson University and became a fixture on her college newspaper staff. Her eclectic work history includes higher education and creative communications support for statewide advocacy groups, an engineering firm, and member-led community-based organizations. Jennifer enjoys the fresh energy and culture of learning that working with higher education communities provides. She's hoping to add more places to her travel goals list, started by a middle school trip to Canada. Outside of work, she loves exploring the outdoors with her two dogs, Walter (Australian shepherd/collie mix) and Wilson (border collie/Australian shepherd mix), gardening, cooking, baking, home projects, and learning more about her new home of western Mass.
Zoë Crabtree
Marketing Assistant
Find somewhere to become a regular. A park bench. A grocery store. A local library. A cafe. Observe your travel destination through this place and absorb the rhythm of it.
Originally from central California, Zoë came to Western Mass to study gender, theatre, and German at Mount Holyoke College. Studying abroad her junior year added the Netherlands to her list of foreign destinations: Germany, France, Italy, Greece, Norway, Belgium, and Canada. Zoë escaped from the North East’s cold winters for two years to get her MA in Performance Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, but is happy to be back in the land of bike trails, farmers markets, and mountains. She is passionate about storytelling, LGBTQ+ communities, and cooking with her partner and their cat Milo.
Finance & Administration
Elayna Hebert
Director of Human Resources & Operations
When I lost my phone when I landed in Spain for the first time, I thought it was the end of the world. I realized that the experiences I had without being distracted or taking photos was a gift. Remember to be present in your journeys!
Elayna traveled to Montreal, Canada, in high school, and fell in love with traveling. It was a brief love affair, and her passion for travel continued in Costa Rica and Spain. She is responsible for day-to-day coordination of all HR, IT, and general office management. Elayna is an avid, albeit untidy, organic gardener. Her passions in life are the fabulous world of visual arts, all things French, and Scrabble. She spends her small amount of "spare time" with her husband watching in wonder as her young daughter grows, and planning their future fantasy life living in southern France. Elayna lives in South Deerfield with her husband, daughter, and their guard-cat, Phil.
Stephanie Sousbies
Assistant Director of Finance
Make sure to tell your bank and let them know the dates of your travel. It’s also a good idea to photocopy your debit and credit cards. Keep them with a copy of your passport, in a separate place.
Born and raised in Paris, Stephanie decided to take a sabbatical year from La Sorbonne Nouvelle and arrived at the University of Massachusetts in 1997. Since then, she has settled in Western Massachusetts and has traveled around the US, Canada and Mexico. When her head is not buried in budget numbers, she relaxes by cooking and painting. She also has translated a half dozen management books into French, and has taught classes at the Amherst Regional High School.
Rae Ann Pinault
Human Resources & Operations Coordinator
There are apps available for your phone that can give some very detailed information about the place to which you are traveling. We found an excellent one that told us many useful things about Kauai, and we even used it as a guide to some great hiking trails.
Originally one of seven siblings from Berkshire County MA, I have also lived in the Boston area and in New York state. I was previously in the insurance industry, and was a licensed P&C and Life & Health Broker/Agent. After all of the mergers of the nineties and beyond, I got out of that field and became a Therapeutic Specialized Foster Parent for 11 years, during which I began to take Office Manager and Human Resources roles. I liked HR very much, and have continued progressively in the field for the past 9 years, approximately.
My interest was piqued with international education simply because I am a person who loves learning, and as a teacher, likes to see others receive access to the type of learning experience that speaks to their personally meaningful goals. Though I would enjoy it, I have not done a great deal of travel abroad myself, although I have been to Hawaii, and would like to go back. My husband and I traveled to Kauai in 2016. It was a beautiful garden paradise with much to see and experience.
I am a musician (keyboard and vocals) and am a piano and voice teacher. My husband and I play in a prison ministry rock and blues band. This takes up a great deal of our time. I have two step-sons in their mid-twenties, and a beautiful rag doll kitten, named Cashmere. I also love to cook.
Chris Alexander
IT Help-Desk Technician
Wherever you are, try to adapt to your new environment. Pick up as much of the local language and engage in the local customs as much as you can while you are there.
Chris ensures that CISabroad can connect to clients and colleagues on an ongoing basis. He is passionate about computer and networking technologies. Chris graduated with an associates degree in science—multimedia and earned a certificate in game design. He enjoys working in the field of international education because he's a part of a company that makes the world a better place in which to live. Outside of work, he enjoys tabletop games, music, art, films, and designing video games.
Eduard Bublik
Bookkeeping Clerk
Always plan your trip based on a budget so you don’t spontaneously spend money and run out of cash for general necessities such as food.
Eduard provides accounting and clerical support to the finance and accounting department. He is currently a student at the Isenberg School of Management and plans to graduate in 2017. He holds an associates degree in arts and a certificate in management. With a passion for mathematics, he's excited to apply his accounting education at CISabroad. When he's not studying or working, Eduard enjoys spending time with his family and exploring the great outdoors.
Alec Hoverman
HR Assistant
In order to have stories to tell your friends and family when you get home, you must first live those stories. Plan well, but don’t shy away from taking advantage of an unexpected opportunity.
Alec holds a B.A. in Philosophy from Gettysburg College and travels with an eclectic resume: In addition to bringing a passion for fair play and reasonable discourse, Alec has worked as a counselor at an outdoor program for at-risk youth, managed a specialty retail store, written two books, and helped Smith College create their first three online courses. While at Gettysburg, Alec participated in a service-learning trip to interior Jamaica and has since expanded his travel to include the international cities of Geneva, Athens, Istanbul, Amsterdam, and Lucca, Italy; but Alec grew up in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and mountains have served as his point of reference ever since. He has journeyed on the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to New Hampshire, hiked in the Swiss Alps, explored the mountains near Lucca, and even summited Mt. Olympus in Greece. Alec lives in Northampton with his wife and young daughter.
Maggie Turchio
Office Coordinator and Mailroom Clerk
Always be sure to meet local people. I noticed recently when traveling that a lot of travelers tend to stick together and overlook the local the people all around them. My favorite sights from traveling are the ones shown to me by local people.
Maggie studied at St. John's University and is currently studying at Greenfield Community College. She has traveled to Canada, Dominica, England, and Mexico. She loves to travel and hopes to add many other destinations to this list.
Lynn Olynik
Bookkeeper
Preparation for travel is necessary for a great trip, but always try to remember to take time “to smell the roses”, relax, and most of all, enjoy your destination. Make the most of your time away – memories last a lifetime!
I graduated from Bay Path University in Longmeadow, MA with a degree in Office Administration. I went on to begin my career in administration and later accounting working in Springfield, Northampton, and Conway, MA. I have met some wonderful people along the way, and I enjoy new experiences. I grew up in South Deerfield, and attended local schools there. I have always enjoyed living in Franklin County. In my spare time, I enjoy photography, reading, nature, gardening, and traveling with my two awesome children. We have made some amazing memories that will be cherished for a lifetime. I currently live in Sunderland with my son, daughter, and our beloved dog.
Nicholas Vincelette
Part-Time Bookkeeper
Have fun, but be aware of your surroundings as you’re in a completely new environment. Only use an official concierge when booking excursions to ensure you’re as safe as possible. Have fun, but be safe!
I’m graduating in May 2018 with a BS in Business Management, Accounting Concentration from Westfield State University. In September 2018, I’ll begin a Master’s of Science in Accountancy program as I continue working towards my career goal of achieving my Certified Public Accountant designation. I’ve only been abroad once when I went to Saint-Martin in 2015, but it was the most fun that I’ve ever had. Once I’m all done with my studies, I’d like to further explore the world. Outside of work and school, I enjoy working on my house, listening to rock music, watching horror movies, and playing horror video games.
Institute Trainees
Amy Wei
Institute Trainee
Asks locals questions! Whether it’s the pronunciation of a word on the menu you’re looking at or a potential cultural custom you see everyone else doing, the best way to find out is to ask.
Amy grew up in San Jose, California before heading to the east coast to earn a B.A. in East Asian Studies from Johns Hopkins University. During her undergraduate career, she was able to study abroad in Japan twice; first on a two-week cultural exchange with the Kakehashi Project and again on a semester-long program with the University of Tokyo. Her first experience abroad, however, took place much earlier, when she traveled to China and Italy on three separate occasions with her dance troupe to participate in international dance festivals. These experiences have led her to the field of international education as she hopes to encourage students to embark on their own journeys of growth abroad. In her free time, she enjoys dancing (in studios or in her kitchen), chasing around her two dogs (named Oreo and Sushi), and paging through the newest Haruki Murakami novel.
Azulina Green
Institute Trainee
Planning is good, but never get to attached. Anything can happen when you are traveling so always be prepared to go with the flow and just see where your adventure will take you!
Azulina graduated from Mount Holyoke College with a BA in International Relations and Middle Eastern Studies. She was born and raised in Austin, TX where she learned to play classical guitar and developed a love for live music. In college she discovered rowing and has enjoyed learning about the global rowing culture throughout her travels. She studied abroad twice and completed an internship in Amman, Jordan and is always eager to practice her Arabic. Through her studies, Azulina became passionate about international education and it's importance for greater cultural understanding.
Marissa Pierre
Institute Trainee
When deciding to go abroad, strongly consider selecting a program/country different from those of your close friends who are also going abroad. You’re more likely to challenge yourself and develop coping skills because you won’t have the comfort of classmates as a safety net. You’ll also forge new friendships that will last well beyond your time abroad.
Described as having “wanderlust since the womb,” Marissa is fortunate to have traveled to over 20 countries so far. She graduated from High Point University in High Point, NC, with a BA in strategic communication and a minor in marketing. Her study abroad experience in London during junior year solidified her affinity for travel and different cultures. After beginning a career in PR/marketing, Marissa changed course and decided to pursue her true passion in international education. She’s excited to connect with like-minded professionals in the field, as well as work toward her goal to help make education abroad more accessible to under-represented students. Outside of work and travel, you’ll find Marissa being a homebody, ironically, catching up on her favorite Netflix shows and films.
Morgan Springer
Institute Trainee
The best way to get to know a place is to check out local establishments. Food helps you understand the history and location, while locals provide the best travel tips.
I recently graduated from Drake University with a BSBA in International Business and area studies in Environmental Policy and Economics. I grew up in a rural Iowan town, so during my first year of college I eagerly took the opportunity to go on a trip to Uganda. From then on, I've had a passion for international experiences and education. I then spent the following semester in the Czech Republic, traveling to 10 countries over five months. After my international experiences, I spent two years working at the University's International Office focusing on international student services and studying abroad. I also have served as the program coordinator for the Mandela Washington Fellowship. When I'm not traveling and talking about international education, you can find me hiking, checking out local restaurants, or cooking new recipes.