Meet the Team

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 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 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.

Dr. Engel earned a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy from the University of South Carolina with an emphasis in international higher education, and holds a Master’s degree in student affairs from Bowling Green State University. Prior to joining CISabroad, Jennifer served as the Executive Director of International Programs at Loyola University Chicago, responsible for partnership cultivation, program development, general administration and the functional areas of: study abroad; international student and scholar services; English as a second language; the International House; and recruitment and support for the University’s three Global Centers. She previously held administrative and teaching positions at the University of South Carolina and Marygrove College. Jennifer has been involved with NAFSA, The Forum and AIEA, holding leadership positions and presenting nationally and internationally.

Jess was born into the world of international education to school-teacher parents, in Mussoorie, India. She grew up attending American International Schools between India, Kuwait, Pakistan, Indonesia and The United Arab Emirates. Jess’ first time studying abroad was moving “home” to her passport country to attend college at The University of Southern Mississippi, where she majored in French and Comparative Religion. She became very involved on campus and in the community through Amnesty International, as a Peer Advisor and student worker in the study abroad office, and through The Luckyday Service Learning Scholarship Program.

Immediately following graduation, Jess served as the resident director for a first and second year semester program in the Loire Valley in France (the Abbey Program), the same program on which she studied abroad. Following France, Jess spent six months traveling around the U.S. as a Senior Leadership Consultant for Alpha Delta Pi sorority, where she focused on brand and member development, and marketing and recruitment at the collegiate level. Jess visited 20 university campuses before moving to Newark, DE, to start the Theta Delta chapter of the organization at The University of Delaware. After a year and a half with ADPi, Jess moved back to MS to work in the study abroad office at her alma mater. During her tenure at Southern Miss, Jess again experienced life between cultures as she traveled between France, London, and Hattiesburg to manage The Abbey Program in the spring, the British Studies Program in the summer, and and incoming exchange programs to Southern Miss in the fall.

Jess fell in love with CIS Abroad when she first met a few members of the team at a NAFSA conference in Vancouver, and was immediately drawn to the shared purpose of sparking growth and creating a more connected and compassionate world, one student at a time. Jess lives in Northampton, MA, where she enjoys having four “real” seasons (even in winter) with her husband, son, and cat.

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.

Kailee joined her favorite high school Spanish teacher on a group trip to Spain and never looked back. She thought she was going to practice her Spanish but instead, she experienced the wonderful complexity of stepping far outside of her comfort zone and completely fell in love with the country (and of course practicing Spanish was an added bonus). A native of Denver, Colorado, she is an alumni of Colorado State University where she studied Business Administration, Marketing and Spanish. Kailee was determined to return to Spain which led her to attend a semester at Universidad Antonio de Nebrija in Madrid.

Kailee has been an integral part of every stage of the student journey; from advising, to admissions, to enrollment and program delivery, and her favorite, re-entry. Before joining CIS Abroad, she served as the Director of World Internships, where she developed industry immersion programming to provide students with short-term, meaningful work experience. This Micro-Internship model is now part of CIS Abroad’s program offering.

Kailee’s work and personal travels have carried her across five continents, and you can be certain she is already planning her next trip right now. She lives in Northampton, MA with her husband and her squishy cat.

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.

Linda was born and raised a small coastal village in southern Sweden. She spent her childhood traveling extensively around the world and discovered early on that she had a passion for learning about cultures, history, and languages. After graduating high school in Sweden, she packed her bags, boarded a plane to the United States, and never looked back. She has now spent more than 20 years studying and working in the U.S., Australia, Italy, and the United Kingdom. An international student for more than seven years, Linda holds a master’s degree in International Relations from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, and a bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science from Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia.

Having worked for Gonzaga University for more than eight years before joining CISabroad in 2015, much of her professional experience is in the field of Student Development and on-site program managment, but she also spent more than six years as director of Gonzaga’s in-house travel learning program, offering American study abroad students custom-built travel opportunities by connecting academic knowledge with practical learning opportunities throughout Europe and beyond. In her spare time, Linda (still!) loves to travel and explore the world – preferably with a good cup of coffee in her hand and a book close by.

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 ​a​t the University of Buenos Aires​ and specialized in Digital Strategies and Content. She is very happy to be part of the growing CIS Abroad, 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 Dar​k – but she calls him Pepino (cucumber).

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!

Paloma, originally hailing from Spain, has a background in event production, fashion, as well as a law degree from Seville University and volunteered on the biggest Tattoo Festival in Sydney. She is passionate about animals, sports and vegan food. She lives in Sydney and has over 3 years experience with American study abroad and exchange programming. She is excited to welcome our students and interns to Sydney.

Sydney born, and raised Steph loves that CIS Abroad students help her to continue to discover and explore her own home. She was bitten by the travel bug in high school when she visited France on a language tour, and has been chasing a never-ending must-visit list ever since. She completed a Bachelor of Commerce and Arts at Macquarie University, during which she spend a year on an exchange program in Richmond, Virginia and interned at a social enterprise in Vietnam. Now completing her Masters of Education at University of Sydney, she hopes teaching will take her around the world – but for now, her passion lies in helping CIS Abroad students and interns to have the best possible time in Sydney and to point them towards the best pizza in town.

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.

Originally from Philadelphia, Hillary completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts at Washington University in St. Louis. Her adventurous grandmother exposed Hillary to travel from a very early age, so studying abroad felt totally natural. After studying in Florence, Italy, Hillary landed a job in Barcelona, Spain. Ready for a career change and having truly caught the travel bug, Hillary then moved to Australia to pursue a Master of Science in Marine Biology. She now lives in Australia and has traveled to 22 countries on six continents and counting! When not exploring new places, Hillary can be found windsurfing, cuddling her dog, or cooking. Hillary believes that travel provides not only fun and memorable experiences, but also helps us to find our true selves. She is so excited to be supporting students at JCU and to help them fully explore their tropical study abroad home.

Jemimah, originally from Kenya, is a graduate of Bond University, Australia and now pursuing her Masters in International Sustainable Tourism Management in Melbourne. She is passionate about travel and meeting new people from different backgrounds and cultures. Jemimah has worked, studied and volunteered in various countries, she is easy going and loves adventure, exploring new places and doing new things.

If you told a 12-year-old Jas that she’d be working in international education as an adult, she wouldn’t believe you. Jas was born and raised in Adelaide, South Australia where she still lives after a few adventures. Jas holds a Bachelor of Arts, English major with a Bachelor of Media (Honours) from the University of Adelaide – she spent an extra year researching magical girls to get the fancy “Honours” title at the end.

During her degree Jas travelled to Japan to participate in a study tour with Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto. When she returned to Adelaide she interned at the University of Adelaide’s outbound exchange abroad office which got her foot in the door for the world of international education. From there things snowballed. She lived and worked in the US for a year as an Aussie intern with CISabroad at their office in Northampton, MA. While gaining a hands-on experience during her international internship, she found a new home away from home. This connection is still ongoing now that she is CISabroad’s Adelaide site director.

Besides being a little travel bug, which is a given in her profession, Jas is a bookworm that owns enough books to start up her own library and has a secret talent where she can sneeze like a cat. She also enjoys her flat white coffees, supporting local Aussie artists, and roaming the Adelaide Central Markets for food.

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.

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.

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.

Linda was born and raised a small coastal village in southern Sweden. She spent her childhood traveling extensively around the world and discovered early on that she had a passion for learning about cultures, history, and languages. After graduating high school in Sweden, she packed her bags, boarded a plane to the United States, and never looked back. She has now spent more than 20 years studying and working in the U.S., Australia, Italy, and the United Kingdom. An international student for more than seven years, Linda holds a master’s degree in International Relations from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, and a bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science from Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia.

Having worked for Gonzaga University for more than eight years before joining CISabroad in 2015, much of her professional experience is in the field of Student Development and on-site program managment, but she also spent more than six years as director of Gonzaga’s in-house travel learning program, offering American study abroad students custom-built travel opportunities by connecting academic knowledge with practical learning opportunities throughout Europe and beyond. In her spare time, Linda (still!) loves to travel and explore the world – preferably with a good cup of coffee in her hand and a book close by.

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 has been part of the CIS Abroad on-site team in London for almost five years now and has extensive knowledge about all our London programs. She loves musicals, fashion, playing tennis, hiking, drinking green tea and matcha, and is an intrepid backpacker.

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 continue his studies abroad and came to France in 2013, where he obtained a second master’s degree in comparative law at Sorbonne University. 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 completed a skydiving course and has an international diver certificate. Drasko is a self-proclaimed expert in finding the best low-cost train and airplane tickets.

Christelle Le Gars has been an administrative assistant at IAU since 2018, focused on aiding students with work-study, excursions and administrative requirements. Christelle Le Gars joined IAU after working in England for more than ten years in secondary schools specialized in international teaching and learning. She has a License in English studies (Lille 3 University) and an M.A. in Communication (Celsa, Paris Sorbonne). She is fluent in English and French.

Upon completing her bachelor’s degree in Law at the University of Athens, Evgenia set off to the majestic south of France for her master’s studies, an experience that left a strong impression on her, planting the seed to work with international students. After practicing law for nearly 10 years, she decided to take a career turn and become a certified counselor, which led to her enrollment for a master’s program in Psychology at Hellenic American University. This is where Evgenia found a highly multinational environment and 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, she loves to ride her bike uphill and attend traditional dance classes.

I was born in Ireland and lived there till I was 16 at which point my family moved to New York. My father is a baker and he was the first to bring Irish scones and soda bread to New York. I finished high school in New York and continued to college there where I completed my undergraduate degree. After my degree I returned to Ireland to complete a Masters degree. Having experienced education in different countries, a career in study abroad really appealed to me. Prior to joining CIS Abroad, I spent several years working for a different study abroad provider. In that role, I was in charge of student orientations, cultural programming, general onsite logistics and student support services. I’m excited to once again have the opportunity to introduce students and interns to Ireland, its culture and history, and its beauty.

I live in a beautiful village in Limerick called Adare. I am married to a veterinarian and have four children, 2 cats and a dog. We love the outdoors and often go hill walking in Kerry, a beautiful part of Ireland. My children are very involved in sports so we spend a lot of time going to matches and different sporting events. I love Ireland and its culture and love sharing that love with others. I am an avid reader and love the theatre.

Romina is a native Roman with degrees in International Communications (2005) and International Relations (2007) at the University for Foreigners of Perugia. Shortly after graduating, she moved back to Rome and began her study abroad career working for IES. In Rome, she began pursing her M.A. 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 2008-09, 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 Spring 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 through CIS Abroad.

Alessandro Bruno was born in Maryland, United States, and was 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 B.A. in Geography with a minor in Chinese Studies from Humboldt State University. In 2010, Alessandro 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, and returned to Italy to join the CIS Abroad Site Director team in 2015. Aside from traveling, Alessandro’s other favorite activities are wake-boarding, kayaking, diving, eating sushi, learning new languages, cooking, and getting lost on purpose.

Originally from Florence, Italy, Chiara graduated from the London College of Communication in Photography with a special focus on alternative processes and darkroom printing. Following graduation she exhibited her work and curated exhibitions in Italy and abroad, slowly approaching the education field by designing art workshops and educational programs. More and more interested in languages and cultures she obtained a CELTA teaching certificate and taught English in Italy and Italian in Australia. She spent the past year working and volunteering in Melbourne, teaching, facilitating, curating, travelling, making art and making friends. Since a young age she has been an avid traveller and explored Europe thoroughly. Throughout the years Chiara also visited the United States, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and New Zealand. She believes International education is the key to gain a global mindset, to step out of your comfort zone and discover more about yourself and the world we live in. Outside of work Chiara wonders around museums and galleries, hikes in the woods, reads, fights for the environment and plays hide and seek with her precious maltese Charlie.

Will is a graduate of the College of William & Mary, where he studied Political Science and Environmental Policy. He also holds a M.Sc. in International Public Management and Policy from Erasmus University in Rotterdam, in the Netherlands. Originally from the beautiful city of Vicenza, in northeastern Italy, Will is an avid traveler and has lived or worked in 6 different countries throughout his life. His fondest study abroad experience was exploring a puffin colony on a remote Scottish island while a student at the University of St Andrews. Bilingual in English and Italian since childhood, Will also speaks some Spanish and is currently learning French. While he loves Italian food the most, he enjoys other cuisines too, and will often be found experimenting with new ingredients. Outside of the office Will also likes hiking, skiing, gardening and exploring UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Originally from New Jersey, Jeff attended Rider University where he studied Business Administration. After graduation, he started working 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. He was sent to tour Asia to establish international educational exchanges and continued expanding exchanges over the course of the next decade. He then moved to Tokyo, where he continues to develop programs and support systems for students studying in Japan.

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 New Zealand, 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’ll find Helena frollicking about the vast area of New Zealand 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.

Milagro was born in Cusco, Peru where she completed her primary and secondary studies, as well as her bachelor’s degree in accounting. After graduating, she began working for a variety of public and private institutions, including serving as the director of the Charity Pharmacies of Cusco. Mila has also worked for many different municipalities as a supplies and logistics specialist and held the post of Administrative Director for the Municipality of Urubamba. In 2003 she joined the ProPeru, which hosted study and internship opportunities for international participants in and around Cusco and the Sacred Valley. Mila later assumed the post of Administrative Director of ProPeru in 2009 where she was very highly regarded. Most recently, Mila has been working on her master’s degree in administration with a focus on tourism at La Universidad San Antonio Abad del Cusco.

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.

Jeanna was born overlooking Loch Ness and grew up in the Highlands of Scotland. She studied in Edinburgh, and after majoring in science went on to work in local and central government. She believes in lifelong learning and remains a student of life! Jeanna has eight years of experience with CIS Abroad (seven as Site Director) and strongly believes in equity and accessible education for all.

“Learning and education has been a strong influence in my family over generations. Education goes beyond the school. Studying abroad is a life changing experience. It allows you to see the world from a new different perspective and to be better prepared for your future in the increasingly globalised world we live in. My job to help you make the most of the many opportunities studying and living in Scotland affords you, and to ensure you have a successful, fun and memorable experience. I have strong Scottish heritage. My Celtic roots give my family our language, music, fun, compassion and culture which continues to this day. Like many Scots, I enjoy the unspoilt nature and landscape here, from great sailing, (and yes surfing) in the West, off-road motorcycle, hiking and skiing in the Highlands to the diverse cultural and multi cultural activities flourishing in many aspects of daily life here.”

On completion and graduating with a National Diploma in Travel and Tourism, Sonya decided to travel the world. Participating in a cultural exchange program led her to Vail, Colorado, where a 4-month working visa allowed her to experience what being away from home was all about. Upon returning home, Sonya worked for many years in both the airline industry and tourism in Cape Town, and has now ventured into self-employment by being appointed as an Accredited Assessor for the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa. Excited to be able to tap into her own experience in working abroad, Sonya enjoys offering support and guidance to those embarking on new journeys, forming new relationships, and showing off her beautiful home country – as well as spending time with her husband and two fur babies.

I believe that education – and particularly international education and cultural exchange – empowers people and advances society. Through my experiences as an educator, I have planned and executed many kinds of degree/non-degree programs across a wide range of fields, including HR, program design, international student recruitment, international cooperation, international student admissions, business incubating management, and government funding. I like to meet people and communicate with them in global settings. I am also very happy when I am working with other people in a new and challenging environment.

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 worked 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.

Elena was born in Girona, but has lived in a variety of cities in Spain. She earned a B.A. in Advertising and Public Relations from the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) in Barcelona and an M.A. in Communication, Tourism, and New Technologies (e-Tourism) from the University of Barcelona. Her previous work experience was at UPF in the Communications Department and research focused on Place Branding Online. Elena is also the co-founder of the International Exchange Erasmus Student Network at UPF, which helps welcome university students to Barcelona. She worked and studied in various countries throughout Europe, including Italy, England, Ireland, Holland, and Turkey. Elena has been working since 2010 helping and mentoring international students. Currently, she is perusing a Coach Training Certification. Elena loves languages, dancing, traveling, culture, and, above all – people.

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.

Chutinan Klinmalai is  the Bangkok Site director for CISabroad and  has been working with the program for more than 2 years covering all field visits and leisure activities. Chutinan graduated his bachelor’s degree in Political Science (International Relations) and currently doing master graduate program in Disaster Management at Asian Institute of Technology. Apart from CIS work, he is a professional career diplomat with Department of American and South Pacific Affairs, Thailand. He always participates in social activities and volunteer works especially environmental or local community service programs. Comedy is his favorite movies genres. Exploring nature  is one of his favourite activities

Lisa has been the CIS Abroad Site Director in Hawaii for more than 7 years. Lisa is very active in the movement to rejuvenate Hawai’ian culture and language and has directed the U.S. Federal Grant devoted to re-integrating the Hawai’ian language into the local school 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 Hawai’i.

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.

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 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. Kylie is a member of the NAFSA Trainer Corps. She also serves as an FEA scholarship reviewer annually.

Zachary joined CIS Abroad in May 2018, bringing more than a decade of experience in the field of international education. Past experience includes serving as the Assistant Director of the Office of Study Away at Trinity College in Hartford, CT, for four years and as Senior University Relations Representative at ISA for five years. Originally from Austin, TX, Zachary received a B.A. in International Affairs and Spanish from Emmanuel College in Boston and an M.A. in Public Policy from Trinity College.

As an undergraduate, Zachary was a self-described “superuser” of his study abroad office: he studied abroad for a semester in Puebla, Mexico, for a full academic year in Lima, Peru, and for an extended summer session in Madrid, Spain. He also participated in faculty-led programs in Rome and Australia. Zachary makes a point of practicing what he preaches when it comes to travel, and recently set foot in his 60th country (thank you, Bosnia and Herzegovina!). Zachary has presented extensively at professional conferences, and his areas of expertise include custom programming, issues surrounding equity and access, curriculum integration, social media, marketing, and faculty partnership.

When he’s not on the road for CIS Abroad, Zachary enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring the Northeast through day trips and long weekends, cooking with his partner at their home in Connecticut, and – of course – planning his next big adventure.

Kent’s winding path to a career in international education began as an undergraduate at the University of South Carolina, where he earned a BS in International Business and Accounting. After education abroad experiences in Thailand, Spain, and India, and a year as an undergraduate peer advisor, he was thoroughly convinced that studying abroad is one of the best steps a person can take, both for themselves and for the world. After college and with this credo in mind, Kent created a website that serves as an orientation resource for education abroad participants. Before joining CISabroad, he was living and studying in the Netherlands, where he earned his MA in International Relations from Leiden University. Kent has traveled widely in Europe and Southeast Asia, but can usually be found in the Triangle of North Carolina, playing soccer, cooking with his partner, hiking with friends, or making large piles of sawdust.

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.

Michelle has had severe wanderlust since her first trip abroad at the age of 17 and doesn’t see it coming to an end any time soon! Michelle has traveled to almost 50 different countries and lived in Ireland for several years – hon the Premier County! A graduate of Boston University, she studied and interned in Paris while completing her B.S. in Journalism and a B.A. in International Relations. Since then, she has worked with international and U.S. students, both in the ESL industry and higher education. She is a library enthusiast, and when she’s not chasing her son around, can be found snuggled down with a good book and a giant mug of coffee.

Julia credits her study abroad experience in Galway, Ireland, for her lifelong appreciation for and commitment to travel. After receiving her master’s in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration from Canisius College, she decided to pursue a career in international education, where she could help students study abroad and see the world! Julia is a firm believer in the life-changing learning experience that international education provides. Julia is grateful for every travel experience, including her latest adventure to Japan, Thailand, and South Korea, visiting CIS Abroad’s wonderful programs in Asia! In her spare time, Julia can be found perusing the local library, running, exploring the local vegetarian cuisine, or hanging out with friends and family!

Hadley is rooted in Western Massachusetts, where she received her B.S. from the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She studied Hospitality & Tourism Management with a focus on Sustainable Community Development. Hadley is a travel advocate who believes in the value of expanding comfort zones as a way to better understand and coexist with neighbors across the globe. An avid explorer herself, Hadley enjoys music, dancing, cuisine, and conversation – wherever life takes her.

Aaron earned both a B.A. and an M.S. in international studies from Central Connecticut State University. Over the years, he has studied and lived in France and Malta and has traveled around Europe, East Asia, and Latin America.

In his career in international education, Aaron has served as a campus-based study abroad advisor, an enrollment coordinator, a university relations representative, a diversity and inclusion strategist, and a custom program coordinator and manager. In the field, he has presented on LGBTQIA+ student support, first-generation college student advising, and inclusive and accessible education abroad programming. He has also previously served as Chair of the First-Generation College Students Task Force for Diversity Abroad.

Aaron is passionate about making international opportunities accessible to today’s diverse student population through capacity building for U.S. university staff and through innovative program development. When Aaron is not working, he’s surely planning his next trip in order to keep his number of countries visited in line with the years of his age!

Jamie, a New England native, somehow managed to complete both her undergrad and graduate studies in California before winding up back in Massachusetts working with CIS Abroad. Jamie holds a B.A. from Pomona College in environmental chemistry (2011), and an M.A. in international education management at the Middlebury Institute for International Studies (MIIS) in Monterey.

She’s been working with custom faculty-led programs at CIS Abroad ever since graduating from MIIS in 2014. In her time with CIS Abroad, she has had the opportunity to work onsite with faculty-led groups in Italy and Southeast Asia, which has helped fuel her passion for the work we do. When not at her desk, Jamie enjoys spending as much time as possible outside with her husband and son!

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!

Jennifer graduated from Dickinson State University in North Dakota with a degree in University Relations (emphasis on Journalism and Writing). Their marketing and communications background includes working in the fields of higher education, non-profit advocacy, B2B marketing in the engineering sector, and member-led, community-based organizations in the Midwest, establishing public education curriculum and outreach for LGBTQIA+ communities.

They’re passionate about customer experience and knowing what’s most important to our Gen Z customers. Jennifer has presented at the Diversity Abroad Conference in 2018, sharing CIS Abroad’s Marketing Audit Tool. Jenn relocated to Western Mass from the Midwest in 2017 – still cold, just in a different way! Outside of work, they love exploring the outdoors with their partner, Aaron, toddler, Hazel, and two dogs, Walter and Wilson. Their hobbies include gardening, cooking/baking, home projects, and learning more about their new home of western Mass.

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 cats Milo & Freya.

After two amazing years with IEP (CISabroad’s on-campus division) as the Campus Coordinator of The University of South Alabama, Jess is staying within the family and transitioning to CISabroad! Born and raised in Mobile, she graduated from South with a degree in Foreign Languages and International Studies. During her time there, she studied abroad in Spain where her passion for international education began. She enjoys spending time with her partner and their pets, cooking, and running to a good K-Pop playlist.

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.

Tyler is coming to the team after spending the last 15 years growing a local tech startup here in the Pioneer Valley. With a background in Computer Science and Finance – he has spent the last 15 years serving in all functions of a rapidly growing business, but has had a very specific focus on the Information Technology Management, Organizational Leadership and Finance (of course!). While Tyler has spent years developing and advancing his skills in all of these areas of business, he is a believer that developing some of the less tangible skill sets is equally important to success in business – cultivating a practical but creative approach to problem solving, maintaining a positive attitude towards your work, and truly caring about the work you are doing and the people you are doing it with. Beyond that, Tyler has always been an advocate for making sure that you’re having fun while you’re working – and has for years shared the mantra “If you’re not having fun – you’re not doing it right.”

Tyler has spent the last 30+ years living (and growing up) in various towns in the Pioneer Valley, and currently lives in Shutesbury, MA with his 3 rescue dogs (Fig, Reba and Dusty) and his beautiful wife Tania. He enjoys hiking, paddle boarding, camping in the White Mountains, and spending time outdoors. He is a Boston sports enthusiast, has a passion for live music, craft beers, and cooking, and enjoys traveling to new regions and exploring the local cuisine.

I grew up in the Midwest and graduated from Case Western Reserve University with degrees in English and Philosophy. I started my professional life working in and then managing a bookstore. I came to the technology industry somewhat by accident, and it has now turned into a twenty-year career. Outside of work, I am a dad, a runner, and I have more fountain pens than is strictly practical. After stints in Ohio, Michigan, and upstate New York, I live in Greenfield, MA, where I am active in local politics.

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.

Jenna Farrell has over five years of experience in executing conferences and events in both the education and financial services industries. In her prior position as Manager of Marketing and Events at CAIA Association, Jenna was responsible for the execution of multiple events as well as contract negotiations and logistics management for the organization’s conference presence across the globe. Jenna has a Bachelor’s degree in Business with a Management major. Outside of work, Jenna enjoys spending time with her son, Bradley, gardening and reading.

I studied at the Community College of Rhode Island and Elizabeth Grady School. I have traveled throughout the US, Dominican Republic, Dubai, Mexico, Thailand and hope to visit many other places abroad. I am a firm believer that traveling abroad and experiencing life in another culture can be transformative and life-changing. My love for travel and years of experience in finance made working in international education the perfect fit.