Katja Seeger:
I hold a masters degree in Intercultural Communication and Cooperation from the University of Applied Sciences in Munich (FH Muenchen). I did various Intercultural Trainings back in Germany for a company that helped migrants from all over the world get settled in Germany. Since 2009 I have been doing Intercultural Trainings for Wetzel Services for German expats coming to the States, as well as for American expats going over to Germany.
We were in Greenville from 2002-2005 and then came back in December 2008 so we are now in our seventh year in the states. Being an expat myself, and having “been through it all,” makes me understand the feelings and fears of going abroad (and coming back) and also helps me to help others to better cope in their new situation.
Debra Spear:
How did a nice Wisconsin English major of liberal leanings and definite Midwestern sensibilities end up in Greenville, South Carolina? I blame Furman University, which hired my husband to teach medieval history for one year, nearly 30 years ago now. He’s still there, and we have been here since 1982, learning to appreciate Southern culture, cooking, language, and manners ever since. After working as a librarian at the Main Library for 16 years and being a volunteer ESL tutor with Greenville Literacy for much of that time, I left the library to work on the Upcountry History Museum as it was being constructed. During those eight years, I received TESOL certification and since then have worked for Wetzel as an English teacher, Intercultural Trainer (culture shock having pretty much defined my life for the first three years of our time here), sometime French tutor, and Culture and Conversation class coordinator.
Languages have always been my favorite thing – studying them, thinking about them, listening to them and of course speaking them! I speak French, but am currently working on Spanish, Italian, and German with varying degrees of success. My husband did his field work in Normandy, I went to language school in San Miguel de Allende, and have taught one English class in Quito, Ecuador. Our daughter currently lives in Milan, so now I can explore Italy and finally get to Munich.
I’m also a big fan of folk culture – storytelling, basket making, spinning – and local history with a particular love of cemeteries. The good thing about working for Wetzel is that there are ways to combine nearly all these interests into classes, and to meet people from all over the world in the process.
Fabrizio Cicconi:
I am an Italian citizen, born and bred in the German speaking part of Switzerland. From early on I was exposed to different cultures and languages (German, Italian, French, English). Nevertheless, I first graduated with an undergrad degree in Food Process Engineering from the Polytechnical University in Zuerich. While working for several years within the food industry in Europe I had the pleasure of acquiring additional knowledge of the Spanish language. After having worked for three more years with a British corporation, I decided to come abroad and further hone my English language skills. Eventually, I acquired a CELTA degree (Teaching English as a Second Language) in Halifax, Canada. In Greenville, SC I first worked as a foreign language instructor (German, Italian, ESL) and later received a Masters Degree in English from Bob Jones University (BJU). Along with language classes I taught intercultural awareness courses for professionals who were getting ready to tackle their first oversea stint.
I am currently finishing up a PhD in New Testament Theology at BJU because I believe that the biblical message is timeless and extremely relevant for peoples of all races, cultures, genders, and ages. I love teaching foreign languages and interacting with people of various cultural backgrounds. Additionally, I enjoy translating and interpreting in the community and professionally.
My precious American wife and I have the joy of raising a toddler, and we both agree that language and culture training knows no age barriers.
Georgine Braun:
I was born in Munich, Germany. After I completed my Business/co-op education at BMW I came to the US with the intention of staying for 2 years – which turned into many more. My working career at XEROX Corporation exposed me to different phases of Information Technology. I took an early retirement as ‘Project Manager’ after having worked there almost 20 years.
My husband and I moved to South Carolina from Rochester, NY about 5 years ago to be closer to two of our three children.
I have worked for Wetzel Inc. about 4 years and have thoroughly enjoyed working with people from Germany and the US, as well as interacting with the friendly Wetzel staff. In addition, I am involved in the SC Volunteer Hospital Auxiliary for which I have held various leadership positions.
In my leisure time I enjoy playing golf, walking, reading, skiing (when we lived in the North), traveling (Germany and many other parts of the world), and last but not least I love spending time with family and friends.
Ying Leach:
Ying Leach has been teaching Chinese in the Foreign Language Department at Bob Jones University since 2001. The information about the three levels of Chinese courses that she teaches with related online resources can be accessed at www.bju.edu and on her wiki space at http://language-connection.wikispaces.com. She has also been serving Billion Publishing as a Translation Editor since 2005. In the summer of 2010 Ying Leach joined Wetzel doing Chinese language and culture training.
Ying Leach came to the States in 2001 and earned a M.A. in English Education from Bob Jones University in 2003. Currently she is working on her PhD in Education Curriculum with Asian Studies as her concentration.
Ying Leach is a Chinese native from Liaoning Province. In 2001 she earned an M.A. in Applied Linguistics at Dalian Maritime University in China, along with a bachelors degree in English Literature and Education from Baohai University. She passed the Standard Mandarin test with the highest level and served as an interpreter in several international conferences such as 2000 World Beach Volleyball Tournament and the World Fish Expo in Dalian, China.
Ying’s specialties include years of practice in competitive badminton and Chinese brush calligraphy. Teaching however, remains her highest interest and passion. She has taught various college level classes as well as in some private and public high schools. Having grown up in Northeastern China (“Dongbei”) with a father who was a super chef, Ying Leach loves Chinese Dongbei cuisine such as world-known dumplings and has taught dumpling-making as an enrichment class at Bob Jones University.
