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Work-Study Student: Krista Irickstudyabroad@park.edu Junior Krista Irick calls Liberty, Missouri home, but has been an aspiring world traveler since the 6th grade. She took a foreign language class that year, and it was the first time she was awakened to the fact not everyone lives their life like she did with a family, plenty of toys, and a back yard. Since then, Krista says she realizes she does not belong in one specific place, but instead her heart is all over the world. These days, she can speak Spanish and Chinese, and a little bit of German. Seems natural then for Krista to tout a personalized major in East Asian Linguistics with a culture studies minor in Geography. She has travelled to China, where she lived for 11 months and taught English as a second language at Nanjing University. She is also involved with several clubs and organizations which allow her to learn more about other cultures, languages, and ways of thought. She is currently a member of Park University's History Club, the Linguistic Society of America, and People to People International. Additionally, she serves as Vice President of Zeta Omicron (a nationwide honors society). Krista is a newcomer to the Office of International Affairs and Education, joining the staff in January 2007. She keeps herself busy helping to reorganize their website, coordinate faculty and student programs, and keep data organized to make sure every student interested in study abroad can be helped as efficiently as possible. When she is not at work on campus or studying, she is a receptionist at a Zona Rosa salon and spa. Travelling internationally is something Krista says changes lives. She wants to make it possible for any student who dreams of studying abroad to make it a reality. "Getting out into the world and meeting other cultures and languages head on opens up so many new thoughts and perspectives," she says. "It gives you a new respect for your own country, as well as the global world in which we live. Everyone needs to feel those feelings and see those sights that prove we're all part of something bigger that what we know from our own lives." --------------------------------- University Resources |