Born and raised in northern New Jersey, just outside New York City. Attended the University of Maryland, College Park where I studied Spanish, Russian and Astronomy. During my undergraduate career I studied abroad in Spain (Salamanca and Barcelona) as well as in St. Petersburg, Russia to supplement my state-side language studies.
During my last two years of study, I also worked at the university clinic where I interpreted for the spanish-speaking patients on campus (I know what you're thinking, but you'd be surprised!) as well as translated insurance documents, symptom sheets and so forth for our patients.
After graduating, I immediatley worked in Moscow, Russia as a Resident Director for a group of American students studying abroad. This primarily involved preparing excursions, sitting in on classes and ensuring their survival, however the job put me in an interesting position of interpreting for students' medical appointments, museum tours and student-teacher meeings.

On an unrelated note:
I enjoy playing trombone as well as juggling!