I help international students prepare now, save money later, and thrive in America.
The reason? Oh so many…
I grew up in a small mid-western town in America, and I never felt like I understood any of the world around me. I dreamed about going to university, traveling, and making all my dreams come true.
I graduated from university with about $60,000 USD in student debt. My Master’s degree added another $15,000 USD in debt.
It’s true that the opportunity for education is America is available to all. Unfortunately, it IS NOT always available fairly to all. I stand strong on the premise of advising students with the truth, not a fantasy and not with empty promises.
Do I regret my education? Not. For. A. Single. Second.
I have a 150 hour TESOL certification, a BA English, and a MA International Relations with specializations in Spanish and Communications. I am grateful for every single course that got me to where I am today.
But do I regret the lack of information and resources I had when making the university decision? YES.
I wish someone had told me about financial aid, out of pocket costs, searching for the right school not just the most highly ranked school, or just navigating the whole college experience.
It all began with a few international studies classes in university. I became obsessed with learning about the way the world works. In my last year of undergrad studies, I lived in Costa Rica for half of the year taking intensive language courses. Leaving the country blasted my eyes open to everything I had been so removed from up until that point.
Over the next eight years, I studied in Costa Rica, backpacked my way through South America, taught English as a Second language classes, and dove headfirst into international education.
I’ve counseled thousands of international students their parents about the processes to study in the USA. I’ve signed thousands of acceptance letters. I’ve issued hundreds of international student visa documents. I’ve run an international student support department for a large state university, managed international admissions for a small, private university in America, and directly collaborated with students, parents, educational consultants, high school counselors, university representatives, and international schools around the world.
I’ve traveled to over 50 countries learning about secondary and higher education.
And after 10 years, I couldn’t believe how often I still found myself explaining the most general processes to study in America as an international student.
I found the biggest gap in the process to get to
America wasn’t the distance, but the sheer lack
of easily accessible information for parents.
Why was financial information so hard to find? Why was the online space so full of promises for full rides and easy access to Ivy League universities, and just so much WRONG information?
What did I become an expert on in 10 years of working in international education?
- English language learning
- Student advising
- International admissions
- F1 visa processes
- International health insurance
- Secondary school counseling
- Secondary school coursework
- Transcript evaluations
- School selection processes
- Financial aid
- Scholarships
- Post study work experiences
- Programming
- On campus employment
I can offer the best preparation for parents and students to navigate this process on their own.
I have been so lucky to have the opportunity to study in the United States of America. To earn not just an undergraduate degree, but to study abroad, have internship experiences, lead on campus organizations, and build a successful career within a field I am so unabashedly passionate about – international education.
Education + travel + culture change the world. Every time. Without hesitation.
Helping families navigate study abroad processes is my passion.