I love skiing, biking, swimming,
hiking, playing Frisbee, skipping stones, catching a glimpse of a shooting
star, summer camp, having picnics, Gilmore Girls, campfires, mountains,
tea-parties, family vacations, ice blocking, world music, taking pictures, home
videos (mine or a friends),searching for sea glass, spending time in
God’s creation, my hometown of Somerset PA, my joy-filled family,
My parents, two brothers, and sister provided me with a
solid Christian base, confidence in who God made me, and a carefree happy
childhood. I love them so much. From the age of 8 until I was 23 I
spent my summer vacation at Summer’s Best Two Weeks, a Christian sports
camp. Through the amazing counselors and program I came to understand the
importance of a personal relationship with Jesus and grew in my walk with God
every summer. While attending Geneva
College I was challenged to make my
faith my own and get serious about what I believed. I served as a
Resident Assistant and loved planning programs, decorating my hall, and
building relationships with the residents. My junior year of
college I participated in Semester at Sea; my passion for travel and
international culture was set in motion.
After graduation I moved to Florida
for a year to work as a live in nanny for three beautiful girls. This
past fall I decided to try out a position in the social work field before
pursuing a master’s in Psychology. I am working as a Therapeutic
Support Staff also known as a wraparound, which basically means I work with
children in the home, school, and community that have emotional, behavioral, or
family problems. Most of my time is spent with a four year old boy that
has won my heart through his unhindered love for others and desire to
experience life. Although I have learned a lot through the experience, I have
not felt as passionate about my job or any of the jobs in the psychology field
as I expected.
Recently I was hanging out with some international friends I
met as a ski instructor. Through our friendship God revealed to me a possible
direction for my interests and gifts. As I looked back on my friendships
I realized that even as an elementary student I was drawn to the international
students. Some of my best friends have been from foreign countries.
I also looked back at my experiences in jobs and ministries. My favorite
position in which I felt like my gifts were most useful was the position as a
Resident Assistant. I would like to combine my passions for international
students and the higher education setting to work as an International Student
Advisor on a college campus.
I am really looking forward to growing personally during the
world race while collecting experiences and knowledge that will assist me in my
possible future calling as an International Student Advisor. And of
course I can’t wait to meet some really fun people.
