Language Scholar Program

¡Hola!

My name is Ana, and I’m from Madrid, Spain.

I have just completed my Master’s degree in Spanish linguistics at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, and I’m looking forward to starting my career in the field of Spanish language and literature.

I believe my calling in life is to build connections between people from different places and cultures, and that languages are a valuable tool for this purpose. That’s why I’m here! Sharing my culture and language with all of you is a privilege, and I’m just as excited to learn about yours.

I’m a curious and cheerful person who enjoys meeting new people and embracing new adventures. I find joy and inspiration in the beauty that surrounds me: in nature, art and the people I encounter. I also love singing and can never resist a good karaoke night!

I can’t wait to meet you, Reedies, and to hear your stories!

¡Hasta pronto!

Salem!

My name is Assel, and I’m from Kostanay, Kazakhstan. If you’ve ever heard of the singer Dimash Kudaibergen or the boxing champion Gennady Golovkin (“GGG”), then you’re already familiar with my country!

I completed my Bachelor’s degree in World Languages, Literatures and Cultures at Nazarbayev University and recently finished my Master’s degree in Eurasian Studies. Growing up in a bilingual Kazakh-Russian environment, I have always been fascinated by the way languages shape our identities, connect people, and offer different perspectives on the world. I am also deeply interested in literature and film studies, particularly in how film adaptations reinterpret literary works to reflect contemporary social issues. As a movie enthusiast, I would love to watch famous Russophone films or TV series and discuss them with you!

In my free time, I enjoy traveling, drawing, and creating content on social media. I would also be happy to chat with you about Russian social media trends, from viral TikTok videos and memes to popular slang expressions. I’m really looking forward to meeting new people, exchanging ideas, sharing aspects of both Kazakh and Russian culture, and creating unforgettable memories together at Reed!

My name is Flor, I’m from Argentina. I was born in a coastal city called Mar del Plata, and when I was 19, I moved to Buenos Aires, where I graduated in Social Sciences from Universidad Torcuato Di Tella. I’m deeply passionate about education. I work as a university teacher and also as a tour guide, which means I love sharing knowledge, telling stories, and connecting with people from different backgrounds.

When I was 17, I lived in Tempe, Arizona, where I attended Corona del Sol High School. During that time, I made friends from all over the world and learned so much from their cultures and traditions. At the same time, I got to share Argentine customs with them. That experience taught me that the only way to overcome so many conflicts and differences is to understand that we are all part of the same universe, even if we come from different communities. And that’s exactly what I hope we can do together here at Reed: exchange, learn, and grow from one another.

In my free time, I enjoy cooking, doing sports, drinking mate, reading, and having long conversations (and debates!) about almost anything.

I believe we shouldn’t experience the world only through our phones and screens, but through real, lived experiences with our bodies, minds, and souls. I’m really excited to meet you all and be part of this community!!

Besos,
Flor

Salam!

My name is Khaoula, and I’m from the beautiful city of Marrakech, Morocco. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in English Studies and a Master’s degree in Linguistics and Advanced English Studies. I’m currently a Ph.D. candidate in Applied Linguistics and work as an English/MSA/ Moroccan dialect teacher. I also serve as a Communications Director of the Marrakech English Book Festival. It is here that I get to combine my love for language and literature, while directing new students and managing the media to put our project face forward.

When I’m not teaching or doing research, you’ll probably find me planning my next trip, searching for a cozy café or a new restaurant. I love exploring different cultures, tasting foods from around the world, spending time in nature, and making connections with people sharing their stories and perspectives.

I’m so excited to be part of the Reed community. I can’t wait to share my Moroccan culture and experiences that cannot be learned from a textbook.

I look forward to meeting you all soon.

Nǐ hǎo!你好！

My name is Hu Xinrui. I’m 22 and from China. I grew up in Henan, so I know a thing or two about making dumplings and steamed buns — we can make them together sometime! I lived in Guangdong for ten years, near Hong Kong, where I fell in love with Cantonese food, especially dim sum and beef hot pot. I studied Chinese Language and Literature for my bachelor’s, and I’m now pursuing my master’s in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages at East China Normal University. I love sharing Chinese language and culture, and I’m excited to bring that to Reed. I hope the Language House can be a cozy, welcoming space for everyone to practice Chinese and explore culture together. In my free time, I love traveling, playing badminton, swimming, and grabbing coffee. I also practice calligraphy and Tai Chi sword, and I’d be happy to share these with anyone who’s curious. I’m really looking forward to meeting all of you, exploring new things together, and exchanging our cultures and stories.

See you at Reed!

Bonjour!

My name is Mathilde, and I'm from northern France, where I'm studying to become an elementary school teacher.

I've always believed that learning a language is one of the best excuses to meet amazing people, discover new cultures, and occasionally make funny mistakes along the way. That's exactly why I'm so excited to be a French Language Scholar at Reed!

When I'm not studying, you'll usually find me with a good book. I love getting lost in stories and visiting new worlds without ever leaving my couch. I also love discovering new cafés, exploring new places, and saying yes to new experiences. Above all, the most important thing in my life is my family. They are my biggest support, and I cherish every moment I get to spend with them. My friends are just as special to me (especially my girls ), and I couldn't imagine life without them.

One thing you'll quickly learn about me is that I love talking! So whether you want to practice French, ask a question, or just have a chat, I'm always happy to talk.

I'm really looking forward to sharing a little bit of France with you through conversations, games, events, and (hopefully) some delicious food. I can't wait to meet all of you, discover Reed, survive my first Portland rainy season, and make unforgettable memories together.

So if you ever see me around campus, come say hi! I promise I don't bite... but I might try to convince you that French is actually not as difficult as it seems.

À bientôt!

Hallo ihr Lieben,

My name is Regina and I will be one of your language scholars this year. I´m really looking forward to coming to Reed and helping to share knowledge about the German culture. That will include language, literature, media, as well as a taste of food and everything else that you are interested in.

Right now, I´m studying English and psychology in Munich to become a teacher. I really like the intersection between the two disciplines. I´m also very interested in politics, history and philosophy and love discussing different perspectives on these topics.

Apart from that, I work for the student's radio station, as a board member of a student led support hotline for other students and as a tutor in a school. Learning, teaching and supporting others are vital parts of my life.

Experiencing new things is something I genuinely enjoy, which is also why I´m so excited about coming to Portland. I would love to continue hiking and rowing, pick up skiing again, and experience everything that the Pacific Northwest has to offer. I believe we will have a great time together. Should you ever have any questions about Germany, whether you are a German student or not, do not hesitate to contact me. I know that German can be difficult and frustrating sometimes, but together, we will tackle all the quirks and irks!

Bis Dann
Regina