Who am I?

I want to make the world a little bit better by bringing positive change to the lives of individuals, the poor, the suffering, the little guy. I believe that change, real change, on a global level is possible, and I believe that one person can make a difference. In a modest attempt to be one of those people that can make the world a better place, I am currently working as a long-term expatriate intern for HOPE International. Working to alleviate poverty, HOPE International is a United States based microlending organization with offices is over a dozen lesser developed and economically struggling countries. During my time with the organzation I have been working with HOPE Russia, living in both Volgodonsk, Russia and Zaporozhe, Ukraine.

I graduated summa cum laude from Kent State University in May 2009. Following my passion for all things Russian and my meager dreams to change the world, I moved to Volgodonsk, Russia, aka ‘Middle of nowhere, it’s impossible to get to, Russia,’ in October of 2009. Because of Russian Visa restrictions, I had to leave for 90 days after I had been there for 90 days. This brought me to Zaporozhe, Ukraine. On 12 April 2010, I head back to the fantastic Volgodonsk, where I will remain until mid-July. After wrapping up with HOPE Russia, I will begin pursuing an MA in Slavic and East European Studies at the Ohio State University. I will be focusing on Russian Area Studies, specifically examining develoment and human rights/social justice issues in the Russian Federation today.

Besides all of that, I am a swell kid (at least some people seem to think so). I am rather on the tall side, I have an uncanny ability to injure myself, and I have far too much gray hair for my age. I like good coffee, good beer, good music, good books, and good people. I like to play outside. I like adventure, and above all, I am game.