What position do you hold at API? What has been your career path so far?
Anna: I’m a Resident Director in Grenoble, France for the language and business programs that we offer for American students studying abroad. I first came to Grenoble in 2003 during the summer of my senior year to study French at the CUEF. I immediately fell in love with Grenoble and France in general so I decided to make a long-term move to France after finishing up my last year at the University of Iowa.
The first year that I lived in France, I was a Teacher Assistant in two middle schools and a high school. At the same time, I was hanging out a lot at the API office so when my teaching assistant job finished I happened to be at the right spot at the right time because API was looking to hire a new RD. I started working full-time as an API RD in 2005 and have been here ever since!
Did YOU study abroad?! If so, where and what inspired you to go?
Anna: I studied in Grenoble during the summer of 2003. I would have wanted to do a longer program but I was graduating soon. Though my time would be short in France, I would still learn so much more about the culture and language than if I was to take a regular French course at my university in Iowa.
What country have you always wanted to visit?
Anna: There’s so many places and countries I want to visit! I’ve never been to Asia. I would LOVE to visit Japan during the cherry blossoms in May. That’s my dream vacation at the moment.
Why is language learning and cultural immersion important to you?
Anna: In order to really learn a culture and to integrate, you must speak the language. France is my home and in order to feel comfortable with my surroundings and perform day to day tasks, I have to be able to communicate with every person I encounter.