What inspired you to work for Middlebury - C.V. Starr Schools Abroad?
At the Middlebury in Paris Centre, le Centre Madeleine
I have always been a strong supporter of the Fulbright program and deeply believe in the value of educational and cultural exchange. During my years at the Franco-American (Fulbright) Commission, I began developing outreach initiatives with U.S. study abroad programs in Paris, and Middlebury regularly invited me to share information and meet with their students.
These collaborations allowed me to see firsthand how intentional program design can profoundly shape students’ academic and personal growth. Their commitment to linguistic and cultural immersion, and to helping students build meaningful connections within their host communities, consistently impressed me.
When the opportunity arose to join the School in France, I didn’t hesitate; it felt like a natural continuation of the work I care about most.
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
Don’t underestimate yourself and your ability to adapt. You’ll surprise yourself. Say yes to the small moments, the unexpected invitations, the conversations that push you a little outside your comfort zone.
Let yourself be curious, open, and fully present as you discover a new country, a new culture, and new ways of thinking. And remember: it’s normal to feel uncertain at first. You won’t have all the answers, and you don’t need to. Trust that you’ll learn what you need along the way. Give yourself permission to slow down, to observe, to make mistakes, and to grow from them.
The challenges you encounter will become the stories you cherish, and the people you meet will shape your experience in ways you can’t yet imagine.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job is watching students find their place in France, seeing the moment when things begin to click: when a student feels comfortable speaking up in class, understands a cultural nuance, or realizes they’re truly living in French.
Supporting them through that process and seeing their confidence grow day by day is incredibly rewarding!
Summer 2023 fun at the office with colleagues, intern and visiting former student!
Why should someone choose Middlebury - C.V. Starr Schools Abroad over competitors?
Middlebury’s School in France is the right choice for students who want genuine immersion supported by a clear academic structure.
Our students take courses conducted entirely in French, integrate into local universities, and live in environments that encourage daily cultural and linguistic engagement. We help them navigate the academic placement process, connect with local communities through internships or volunteer work, and build confidence as they adapt to French university life.
With a small, attentive team and a program recognized for meeting the Forum on Education Abroad’s Standards of Good Practice, Middlebury offers immersion with real support and real depth.
Students choose us because they know they’ll be challenged, guided, and truly seen throughout their experience.
What is Middlebury - C.V. Starr Schools Abroad's mission and how do you continue to work toward it?
The Middlebury C.V. Starr Schools Abroad mission is to offer an authentic, immersive study abroad experience that helps students engage deeply with French language, culture, and academic life.
For me, this mission resonates on a personal level: my own study abroad experiences in Brazil, France, and the UK, and later my work at the Fulbright Commission, showed me how transformative true immersion can be.
I work toward this mission by helping students find the right academic fit, encouraging them to live and study fully in French, and supporting them as they build connections through internships, volunteer work, and daily life.
Watching students grow more confident, curious, and at home in France is the most meaningful part of carrying that mission forward.
End of term picnic with students at the Parc Monceau, spring 2023
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
I hope students leave our programs with confidence in their ability to live, study, and connect in another culture. Immersion can be challenging, but it’s transformative. If students return with stronger independence, deeper cultural understanding, and the sense that they can truly navigate French academic and daily life in language, then we’ve done our job.
I also hope they carry forward a lasting curiosity that continues to shape how they engage with the world. Ultimately, I want them to recognize how capable they are, and to feel that this experience has expanded not only their skills but also their sense of possibility.
And I hope they leave with the conviction that they can continue seeking out meaningful, immersive experiences wherever life takes them.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
Experiencing another culture matters because it expands perspective and strengthens our ability to navigate difference with confidence. It encourages people to question assumptions, recognize the limits of their own worldview, and appreciate the complexity of how others live and think.
Travel also builds resilience: adapting to unfamiliar systems, languages, and daily rhythms teaches flexibility and patience. Spending time abroad exposes individuals to new academic approaches, social norms, and ways of problem‑solving, all of which broaden their intellectual toolkit.
Catching up with former students, summer 2019
These experiences often stay with people long after they return home, influencing how they interpret global events, collaborate with others, and approach unfamiliar situations. Engaging deeply with another culture helps individuals become more thoughtful, informed global citizens who can respond to an interconnected world with curiosity, nuance, and a willingness to learn.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
To me, meaningful travel is about genuine exchange, approaching another culture with curiosity, humility, and a willingness to learn. It’s not only about what the traveler gains, but about showing respect, engaging thoughtfully, and contributing to the community that welcomes them. It means taking the time to understand local perspectives, acknowledging the history and context that shape daily life, and being attentive to how one’s presence affects others.
Meaningful travel invites people to slow down, listen carefully, and allow themselves to be changed by the experience. Ultimately, it’s about building connections that feel authentic and carrying those insights forward long after the journey abroad ends.
