I believe wholeheartedly that travel reveals an unrivaled understanding of oneself and her place in the world. I was blessed with two opportunities to live and study abroad during my undergrad career and taught English abroad in Phrapradaeng, Thailand.
After graduating from University of Hawaii Manoa with my Bachelor's degree, I moved to Phrapradaeng, Samutprakarn, Thailand to teach English. I taught elementary students at a private school, Rajprachasamasai School Under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King. I taught roughly 600 students a week, varying from age 6-12, all beginner students. My primary focus in the classroom was English conversation so there was a lot of miming, acting, and games to get the class talking! My students were all eager to learn and practice with 'Teacher Ann' (Kiersten is a little too difficult to pronounce so they used my middle name) and love to sing Disney and Western pop songs- 'Let it Go' from Disney's Frozen was their favorite. Teachers and students alike were excited to include me in Thai traditions-such as the Loi Krathong Festival, Father's Day and Children's Day activities- as well as Western ones (I donned a Ms Claus costume and taught about Christmas traditions in honor of the Western holiday).
In Florence, Italy, I studied Italian language and culture and intercultural communication. I lived with five other exchange students from other countries in a home stay with a lively, cultured Italian grandmother. As she spoke very little English, we shared many dinners trying to communicate and learn more about each other. She invited us to art openings, private parties, and other social events to introduce us to locals and the rich Florentine culture. It was five months of Renaissance exploration, fresh Tuscan cuisine, and non-stop cultural discovery.
In my junior year of college, I headed to Paris, France to immerse myself in French culture. I spent my days studying the French language and the evenings spending time with my French host family. I lived with a family of four in a small apartment in the twentieth. I loved spending the afternoon playing with the kids (they loved correcting my French!) and helping (read- watching) my host mother, Mina, in the kitchen. I was spoiled with crêpes in the afternoon and homemade bread and yogurt in the morning. I loved going to the market on Sunday mornings for weekly groceries and catching a movie with Mina. I grew close to the kids and helped them with English homework and babysat them often. My six month affair in Paris changed me forever- my view of the world, my appreciation for stinky cheese, and certainly my adoration for Paris!