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Bonjour,

My name is Nathan. I have just completed a master’s degree in foreign languages applied to intercultural relations and international cooperation at the Université de Lille in the North of France, but I am from Angoulême, a town in the southwest that Wes Anderson seems to appreciate.

I have always been interested in discovering new places, new cultures, and new languages. Apart from France, I have lived in Finland, Greece, and Tanzania. I look forward to spending a year in the United States.

In my leisure time, I like to play sports, particularly soccer, listen to podcasts to keep me informed about current affairs, attend classical music concerts, watch movies, do film photography, party, wander around on foot or longboard, and uncover nice places, whether it's a quiet spot in nature or a hidden gem in the city.

During my time at ºìÌÒÊÓƵ, I will try to share my knowledge about the French language and culture, and I hope to learn a lot from you. I am really excited about spending this academic year at ºìÌÒÊÓƵ. I look forward to meeting you all and becoming part of this community.

See you soon!

From majoring in physics and chemistry, enrolling in a linguistics program at the department of English Studies, becoming the first female in my family to travel and work abroad then start a PhD, it has been an extensive but compelling journey. I am Khadija Farkad and I am from Marrakech, Morocco.

I am an avid learner. So, naturally, I am an enthusiastic teacher. Language teaching remained my major passion. Helping people and seeing them grow and gain confidence sooth my, what could be at times, crippling empathy.

I am particularly keen on cooking, meaningful conversations and long walks. I look forward to my time at ºìÌÒÊÓƵ to form new friendships, learn and talk about languages, and enjoy some culinary adventures.

¡Buenas!

My name is Santi, and I am from Barcelona. I studied Literary Theory and Comparative Literature at the Universidad de Barcelona. You can tell that I love reading! I am fascinated both by stories and by what stories are made of, which means a little bit of everything… philosophy, anthropology, history… and, of course, Spanish language!

Maybe that explains why I decided to continue my career by taking a master's in Spanish as a foreign language. I have always been attracted to languages, and now I have found a lively way to share the language and culture of where I am from while doing so from a position open (and willing!) to interchange with others the diversity of cultures and experiences that languages and stories bring with them.

Whenever I can I like to take excursions: from walks to hikes, wandering the streets or the Pirineos, maybe simply grabbing my bike… or coming to Portland! I cherish the occasions to discover a new place and find people to connect and share thoughts with; thus, I am grateful for having the opportunity to come to work at ºìÌÒÊÓƵ and get to know the United States. With great curiosity and eagerness to learn, I look forward to joining life at ºìÌÒÊÓƵ, bringing some pieces of my home.

Bonjour!

My name is Ariane, and I come from a town near Paris. I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in English and History.

I became really passionate about language in middle school when I realized how many books I would be able to read if I knew more than one language! Today, I see languages as a way to open up to the world and learn more about different cultures and ways of seeing the world. On a more technical note, I love understanding how languages work and how they are structured, and I’ll be very glad to share that love with you.

I like reading, drawing, hiking, and cooking – I’d love to prepare some French specialties for you!

Spending a year at ºìÌÒÊÓƵ and discovering the United States will no doubt be an unforgettable experience, and I am delighted to have the opportunity to share my love for French culture and language with you. I deeply look forward to learning with and from all of you!

Hallo!

My name is Marie, and I am from Munich, Germany. I study Computer Science and English and plan to become a high school teacher after my studies.

I have always been interested in learning about new cultures—travelling and experiencing life in a different country is something I really enjoy—and the US is a country I’m particularly fond of!

Therefore, I spent a postgraduate year at the Ethel Walker School in Hartford, Connecticut. Through this year, I have had a fair bit of experience with American schools and am now excited to get to know the US education system at the college level!

I love to dance, listen to music, and hang out with my family and friends in my free time.

I can’t wait to meet everyone!

Bis bald, Marie

Privet!

My name is Rokhila, and I’m from Tajikistan. I studied at the American University of Central Asia in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, and Bard College, majoring in Sociology. I am fluent in Russian since it is widely spoken in Central Asian countries, and I am also fluent in Tajik (Farsi) and English. I am a constant learner, so German and French are next on my list!
I think the best way to learn any language is to surround yourself with the language speakers! That’s why I am really interested in traveling, meeting new people, and learning about different cultures. I have enjoyed traveling around the US and exploring American culture. Some states I visited were New York, Massachusetts, and Illinois. Oregon would be my first time, so seeing the West is even more exciting!

Over the past few years, I have taught students of all ages in Russian and English, developing an interest and admiration for these languages. I am excited to coordinate cultural events, including Russian film screenings and culinary events, that allow language learners to fully engage with the diverse flavors and traditions of Russian and Central Asian food. I am thrilled to share my enthusiasm for language and culture with students ready to explore the Russian language and its rich cultural legacy.

Being a Language Scholar in the US is inspiring, and I can’t wait to become a part of this fantastic community during my time at ºìÌÒÊÓƵ. I look forward to meeting and sharing my knowledge and interests in the Russian language and Russian-speaking cultures, such as Central Asia. I am also eager to learn more from all the people I will meet in College.

See you soon!

Hola!

I'm Fran, a Spanish Language Scholar from Argentina. I studied history at the Universidad Torcuato Di Tella and am writing my master's thesis in Latin American Literature. For the past seven years, I've been teaching at high school and university levels, which I combine with research, writing, and digital humanities projects. My work has brought me immense happiness and learning; I enjoy constant exchange and reflection as spaces for connecting.

I come from the north, a region in the Andes where different cultures converge. I find the various ways of seeing the world fascinating and the diverse forms of expression, such as reading, writing, photography, film, and visual arts. I spend a lot of time exploring new things, and I also love nature. I try to make time to be outdoors and enjoy new landscapes.

I hope we can meet during my time at ºìÌÒÊÓƵ. I'm always open to talking and connecting!

Nos vemos!

Nǐ hǎo! 你好！

My name is Deng Xue, but you can call me Rachel. I'm 24 and from Sichuan Province, China. If you've heard of hotpot and pandas, you're already familiar with my hometown. I pursued my bachelor's degree in Tourism Management and am currently working on my master's in English Interpretation at Fujian Normal University.

My love for languages stemmed from my fascination with Taylor Swift's songs in middle school, which greatly sparked my interest. Since then, language learning has become my lifelong passion. Of course, communication and interaction are crucial for language learning and improvement. Therefore, at ºìÌÒÊÓƵ, I'm eager to immerse myself in different cultures while sharing my own. I hope my work at the Chinese Language House will help those interested in Chinese better understand its richness and beauty through activities like making typical Chinese cuisines, brewing tea, etc.

I enjoy traveling, capturing moments through photography, sipping coffee, and singing with the crowd in my free time.

I look forward to embarking on this exciting adventure at ºìÌÒÊÓƵ, making new friends, chatting, sharing delicious food, and bringing vibrant energy to campus life. Let's make unforgettable memories together!