FAll 2022 OA

Jennifer Binkley ’92, Special Educator, Department of Defense Schools in Lakenheath, England

“As Saint Mother Theodore said, ‘We cannot do our work if we all stay in our nests,’ travel and cultural immersion have always been an area of interest for me. When the opportunity to teach overseas with the Department of Defense Schools presented itself, I jumped at it. In my 15 years overseas, I have been blessed with the opportunities to live in several countries, including South Korea, Italy, Belgium, Bahrain, Guam and England. Each place I’ve lived has provided me the opportunity to learn the language, meet people, explore cultures, share my culture and most importantly see how we were watching a TV show where investigators were going through an older lady’s home after she had died. All around her living room were mason jars full of sand, dirt and trinkets from all the places she had visited. I told my husband that if I ever got the chance to travel like that, there’s no way I could pass it up. Unbeknownst to me, he had been talking to a professor about teaching English overseas. He convinced me and our plan was to do it for a year and go back to our “normal” life. After the second year, we decided to make it permanent and got our teaching certifications so we can work as teachers in international schools.

are all connected despite our differences. My advice to everyone is to leave your nest! Go out and connect with others from other cultures, languages and religions. Look around for volunteer opportunities, international jobs or travel opportunities.

the world. I’m proud to say that living abroad has opened her little eyes and heart to people around the world. I pray that by leaving my nest, she will be a change maker for the future!”

Start small, the decision to move abroad can be challenging, but it’s well worth it. I told my friends, when my daughter, Gueryn, was born, I just want to give her

Samantha Friedman Fromme ’09, 7th Grade English Teacher, St. Johnsbury Academy in Jeju, South Korea “My husband, Zach, and I

Last year, I moved back! I love the culture, people and relative ease of living. I have met so many people with different backgrounds, cultures, beliefs and opinions. I am continually learning and evolving as a person. Could this happen while living in the U.S.? Yes, of course. But there’s just something about experiencing things in a foreign environment that gives you a different perspective.”

On and off since the end of 2010, I have lived in four countries: South Korea, China, Egypt and Qatar and traveled to a total of 26 countries. South Korea is my favorite country to have lived. It was the first country I moved to, and I was there for three years.