David Grove - Manager - Asian Study Abroad Programs Email: dgrove@globalinksabroad.org Phone: 1-800-980-0033 x127 David is an GlobaLinks Learning Abroad Coordinator for Summer, Semester, and Year abroad programs in Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand. A former alumnus of AustraLearn, David studied abroad at Massey University in Palmerston North, New Zealand. He has traveled extensively in New Zealand, Australia, Costa Rica, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic. David holds a B.S. in Psychology from Appalachian State University in North Carolina, and when not in the office is either biking, playing sports, or enjoying the mountains. Krista Lane - Coordinator, Outreach and Student Services  Email: klane@globalinksabroad.org Phone: 1-800-980-0033 x144 Krista holds an M.A. in Political Science with a B.A. in Political Science and Spanish, and a minor in International Relations. She studied abroad her junior year of college in Sevilla, Spain, and having traveled internationally since an early age, seeks every opportunity to go to new destinations. Having previously worked as a university advisor in multiple capacities, Krista has developed a passion for international education and looks forward to helping students discover their own journey. Other travels include: Costa Rica, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Switzerland, Ireland, England, Italy, Austria, Singapore, Laos, and Vietnam. Aimee Dixon - Coordinator, Outreach and Student Services Email: adixon@globalinksabroad.org Phone: 1-800-980-0033 x130 Aimee is the Outreach and Student Services Coordinator for Asian programs. She helps students find a program that will fit their personal and academic goals and does marketing for these programs, as well as other marketing/communications projects. Aimee graduated from Colorado State University with a B.A. in Communications. While at CSU she spent her junior year abroad at the University of Leicester in England. Her senior year she worked as a Study Abroad Peer Advisor in their office of International Education. Upon graduation she lived in Brisbane, Australia working at an Internet cafe. While in Australia she was able to visit Fiji and New Zealand. She has also spent six month teaching English in Thailand where she was able to travel throughout South East Asia as well as China and Japan. She is currently working on her M.S. in Global and International Education through Drexel University. Meet the In-Country Support Team Michelle Pardini, Resident Coordinator - Hong Kong Email: mpardini@globalinksabroad.org Phone: (852) 6491-9803 Nei ho! Greetings from Hong Kong! My name is Michelle Pardini, and I am serving as Resident Coordinator for the AsiaLearn program in Hong Kong. Hong Kong and I go back a long way. My family moved here from California when I was two, and I’ve been here most of my life. I went back to the US for university, and then spent two years teaching English in China before returning home to Hong Kong. I am currently teaching at an international school here. Though I've spent close to 20 years in Hong Kong, there have been no dull moments! There is always something new to try in this exciting city. Just this past year, I joined a choir, played in an ultimate frisbee league, hiked 50 km for charity, and started swing dancing! Hong Kong provides all of the comforts and conveniences of a world-class city, but also affords the opportunity to step outside your comfort zone, learn about a different culture, or attempt something that you never thought you could do! It's also a great base from which to travel anywhere in Asia! As AsiaLearn's resident coordinator in Hong Kong, I am here to help your transition to life in this fast-paced city go a little more smoothly. I will meet with you periodically throughout the semester, and will also be on call to answer questions that come up and to give you ideas of activities that you can be involved in. You’re going to love Hong Kong! AsiaLearn Programs in Hong Kong Michael Chang, Resident Coordinator - Japan  Email: mchang@globalinkabroad.org Phone: +81 (0) 90-9652-8260 Phone (from within Japan): 090-9652-8260 Konnichiwa! Greetings from Japan! My name is Michael Chang and I'm the AsiaLearn Japan Resident Coordinator. Currently, I am pursuing my Ph.D. in Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Japan. Before that, I studied at the University at Buffalo and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. With regards to work experiences, I served in the Singapore Armed Forces as an artillery sergeant and worked in Hewitt Associates, an American HR corporation as a project coordinator. I speak English, Chinese, Cantonese, and Japanese. Actually, I am still picking up Japanese now. So please practice these languages with me! Other than working on my dissertation, I have managed to travel around to most parts of Japan with the exception of Hokkaido. Transportation is pretty expensive in Japan, so I've made use of various cheaper alternatives such as taking a never-ending series of connecting local trains. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone because it's really tiring unless you have a very tight budget. Besides traveling, I took part in many volunteer activities such as children summer camps, and playing sports with the local senior citizens. My job as a Resident Coordinator is to help you to make the most out of your experience in Japan. I will be available any day for you to answer any queries you might have. See you in Japan! AsiaLearn Programs in Japan Amy Smith, Resident Coordinator - Korea Email: asmith@globalinksabroad.org Phone: +010-2450-6114 Ahnyeong! I'm Amy Smith and I'm your new AsiaLearn Resident Adviser in Seoul. Seoul is an amazing mix of young and old, east and west. Ancient palaces, vibrant shopping districts, and top universities. If you are into sports, art, music, nature, traditional culture, or cutting edge technology, Seoul has something for you to do 24 hours a day. I studied Theater at Occidental College in Los Angeles. A semester in London made me want to try living abroad again. I came here four years ago to teach English after a college history course piqued my interest in South Korea. I study Korean and am a tour guide at museums around the city in my free time. I'll be available to meet with you throughout your visit and would love to help you discover Seoul and make the most of your time here. AsiaLearn Programs in Korea Aaron Clark, Resident Director - Thailand Email: aclark@globalinksabroad.org Phone: +66 (0) 82-205-3813 Phone from within Thailand: 082-205-3813 My educational background is in Asian Studies. I completed my Bachelor of Arts at the University of Hawaii, Manoa with emphasis on the history of mainland Southeast Asia. My undergraduate work focused primarily on Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia and required extended year and a half study abroad at Mahidol University International College (MUIC) to access courses in Southeast Asian art, culture and history, not traditionally offered stateside. My personal experiences as a student abroad offers me insight into the problems faced by students abroad. Professionally, I have worked in an international relations capacity both as liaison for the State Departments International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) supporting visitors from the Kingdom of Thailand in Hawaii, and as a member of the United States Armed forces during annual cooperative training in Thailand. I have over 7 years experience living, working, studying, and traveling within Thailand and around the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). Currently, I am undertaking graduate research on sustainable tourism and poverty alleviation through tourism development. My principal focus is on how responsible tourism development (i.e., study abroad) can improve the livelihoods of poor while mitigating social and environmental effects of development on host communities. In my free time I enjoy traveling (by land), increasing my awareness, and understanding of Southeast Asia peoples and their cultures. I really look forward to utilizing my knowledge, experience, networks and language ability in support of Asialearn students here in Thailand. Hope to see you soon, in the “land of smiles”. AsiaLearn Programs in Thailand Kelly Guo, Resident Coordinator - Chengdu, China Email: kguo@globalinksabroad.org Phone: +86 151 844 81083 Hi, my name is Kelly Guo 果威. I prefer you call me Kelly. I was born and raised in a village in Heilongjiang province Jiamusi City, the eastern most major city in China close to the Russian border. Guo is an extremely rare surname in China, and that's because I am an ethnic Manchurian. I have a BA in Business English from Qiqihaer University in HeilongJiang Province. Currently I am working for Chamber of Tourism Sichuan Federation of Industry and Commerce in Chengdu as an Assistant to Secretary-General, mainly responsible for organizing overseas inspection programs for members and media units, arranging regular meetings for members, coordinating and following up with projects within the Chamber. I have been active in many volunteer projects since I was in college. I regularly volunteered for Crazy English Intensive Training Camp in Harbin, Heilongjiang, and was a volunteer translator for two Interplast and Rotaplast surgery projects. Last year I was also a volunteer manager for an American Latin Music band to organize a rural music camp in Sichuan. This year I also organized a group visiting to an orphanage where we played on cartoon at night and taught them English during the day. I have always been interested in this immersion program. In fact, I have done a few similar programs for the Singapore Polytechnics and the American Mississippi University. Serving foreign students has really enriched my own experiences and meanwhile helped them to rediscover their new lives here in China. I also love traveling and have traveled extensively to Japan, Hong Kong, Yunnan, Xinjiang, Shanghai, Beijing, and the Tibetan areas of Sichuan. Actually being here in Chengdu is because of my travel in the winter of 2009. I immediately fell in love with this cozy, relaxing and interesting city with a dynamic culture. My staying here proves again the popular local saying ”Once you have been to Chengdu, you will be reluctant to leave”. I am really looking forward to meeting all of you and sharing the fantastic culture in Chengdu and helping you make full use of your time here to achieve your goal in China. Sunli, Resident Coordinator - Beijing China Email: sli@globalinksabroad.org Phone:+86 13552358781 Nihao! I am Sunli. I'm serving as Resident Coordinator for the AsiaLearn program in Beijing, China. Please call me Sunny. I was born in Shanghai a coastal city in Eastern China and I graduated from Shanghai International Studies University. I have lived in Beijing for the past 6 years. I have been a tour guide and tour leader for 11 years and have taken lead trips around china, like Beijing, Xian, three Georges, Guilin, Chengdu, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Lijiang, Dali, Kunming, Kaili, and Hong Kong. I have also taken Chinese groups to Thailand and South Africa. Beijing is the capital of china, with 3000 years history, with the largest palace in the world, Tiananmen Square, one of China’s largest gardens, the magnificent great wall, and biggest wood carving Buddha statue in the Lama Temple. Beijing is a city that mixes old with the new. After three months in China you will be able to discover real Chinese culture and enjoy nice scenic spots throughout the city and taste different food such as Peking duck, hot pot, pork barbeque, dumplings and so on. Locals in Beijing live in the small alleys which are called Hutong’s and are a great place to have a cup of tea and enjoy the local life. Outside of Beijing there are numerous mountains and villages that are great for hiking, fishing, skating, and skiing. Minzu University is an excellent place to study Chinese and you will have a chance to practice Chinese language with student from 55 nationalities. Through this language immersion you will begin to understand different cultures within China and learn the different life style of china. I love living in Beijing because it provides me with so many opportunities to learn and to explore. I am so happy to be here to support you while you adjust to life in China and if you need any help or question, just let me know. GlobaLinks Learning Abroad Programs in China Top of Page |