I just finished my Masters of Education program at Southern Methodist University and I'm teaching writing, literature and cultural issues in the American Studies Department at the University of Bucharest. I play guitar and saxophone and love everything music-related. I enjoy the outdoors and challenging myself to get out of my comfort zone. The first time that I learned anything about Romania was while I was studying music in college. Romania has amazing 10-15-piece bands that play high-energy gypsy jazz. Tarouf de Haidouks and Fanfare Ciocarlia are two of the most famous musicians. I had no idea when I was 18 that I would be living in the country that music came from all these years later.
Kelly is a pharmacist. She loves biology, art and funny Netflix shows, but most of all, travel! She had been planning on taking a few months off work to travel, but when I received the scholarship to work in Romania, she was overjoyed that she could join me on the adventure for the whole year. Ever since she went to high school she’s traveled all over the world from ziplining in Belize to white water rafting in Thailand. Without meeting Kelly, I would have never thought it possible to visit so many beautiful places in the world.
In Romania, I work at the university. I've also been having a wonderful time working with the American Embassy and Fulbright Commission to help students travel to the United States to study and research. We get to run a group focused on helping students strengthen their English through creative writing and performance as well. In class, we write and perform poetry, music, stories and improvisational comedy.
