Hello! My name is Elaina Carsten! I am 23 years old. I grew up in Cottage Grove, Minnesota. I was born in Xi'an, China, and was adopted at 2 years old. I lived in Rhode Island until first grade. My family then moved to Cottage Grove, where I grew up!
I recently graduated from the University of Northwestern - St. Paul. I majored in Music Education and Music Performance. Music has always been a big part of my life. I love that it brings people together across cultures. In my free time, I enjoy playing video games, watching anime, and hanging out with my friends.
I currently live in Taipei, Taiwan, known for its vibrant night markets, towering skyscrapers like Taipei 101, rich cultural heritage, and delicious street food. I am serving as an English Teaching Assistant (ETA) through the U.S. Fulbright Program, teaching 7th-grade students in bilingual classrooms at Jing-Xing Junior High School. The school is well-known for its performing arts program and international pen pal club. I am excited to explore Taiwan's sights, foods, and I look forward to sharing my adventures with you. I hope you enjoy following along on my journey!
Want to learn how you could be a Fulbright Scholar like me? The Fulbright Program is the United States government's flagship international exchange program. Fulbrighters foster mutual understanding between the United States and partner nations, share knowledge across communities, and improve lives around the world. Learn more by clicking here!
