ADMINISTRATION

 
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  Robert Collins Executive Director

  Rob co-founded Interstudy in 1980. Born in America, Rob has spent most of his life in Britain. He has worked in the field of international education for forty years and through the 70s and 80s taught Art History in the UK. Rob divides his time between the US, South Africa and England where he lives. A collector of antique clocks and barometers, Rob enjoys technology, electronic music and hiking.

  Email Robert
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NORTH AMERICAN OFFICE

 
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  Jane Dickson Director of Programs

  Jane holds a B.A. in Russian Area Studies from Simmons College and spent her junior year at Trinity College Dublin. While completing her M.A. in Slavic Languages and Literatures at the University of Pennsylvania she studied for a year in Moscow. Over the past twenty-five years Jane's work in the field of international education has taken her to Africa, Europe, Latin America, Canada, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.  Her particular areas of expertise include program development, risk management, staff training, and institutional outreach.  Most recently, Jane joined the ranks of study abroad parents when her eldest son spent his junior year abroad in Argentina and Spain and her younger son spent a semester in England.  Jane enjoys novels with a cross-cultural element, walking on the beach, skiing and snorkeling.

  Email Jane
  
  
  
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  Emily Whalen Assistant Director of Student Services

  Originally from Cleveland, Emily holds a B.A. in English Literature from Kenyon College. Emily brings with her a study abroad experience as an Interstudy student in Stellenbosch, South Africa and multiple travel experiences through Africa and Europe. Emily has a myriad of roles at Interstudy assisting students (and parents) through the pre-departure process. Emily enjoys keeping up to date on African politics, attending dance parties and urban cycling through the mean streets of Boston.

  Email Emily 
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  Erin Koontz Assistant Director of Internet Marketing and Communications

  Erin holds a B.A. in French and Education from Muhlenberg College and a Master's degree in International Education from Drexel University. Erin's professional focus has always been on learning through travel. During her junior year abroad, Erin lived in Aix-en-Provence, France. It was through this experience that her love for international travel grew into a full fledged passion. Today, Erin has continued to travel whenever the chance arrives.

  Email Erin
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  Krista Moore Accounts Manager

  Locally grown in Boston, Krista is primarily responsible for managing the financial systems at Interstudy for the United States, Southern Africa, the UK, and Ireland. She works closely with her colleagues at home and abroad to facilitate all manner of payments for students, parents, and institutions. She holds a B.A. in English from Merrimack College. Krista enjoys eating candy of the sour variety, road tripping, and collecting awful postcards.

  Email Krista 
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EUROPEAN OFFICE

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  Nick Humpston Director of Finance

  Nick was born in Buckingamshire, near London, and completed professional finance and accounting studies at the University of Westminster in Central London. He joined Interstudy in 1986 and is responsible for its financial systems and information technology. An avid tennis player and guitar enthusiast, Nick is married to Sally, has a son and daughter and lives in a village south of Bath, England.

  Email Nick 
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  Dr. Coleman Dennehy Resident Director, Britain & Ireland

  Coley lives in Dublin and is the primary contact for students in Ireland & Britain. He's been working in the field of international education for more than a decade. His most recent degrees include a research masters in restoration parliamentary politics and procedures, and his Ph.D. was an administrative and legal history of the Irish parliament in the seventeenth century. In recent years he's taught history at Maynooth and UCD. He's published an edited collection on Restoration Ireland and is currently preparing a monograph on the Irish parliament. He's contributed to several history and legal journals as well as chapters in collaborative collections. A bon viveur, Coleman also enjoys travel and writes in his spare time.

  Email Coleman

   

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AFRICAN OFFICE

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  Ouma Mpela Resident Director, South Africa & Botswana

  Ouma was born in a small town called Litchenburg in the North Province of South Africa. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Potchefstroom, and in 1998 she began her postgraduate studies in Human Resources Management at the University of Cape Town. In 2000 Ouma joined the staff of the International Academic Programmes Office (IAPO) at the University of Cape Town. Ouma is member of NAFSA in the US, as well as the International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA). Ouma is married and enjoys spending her free time with her two children.

  Email Ouma
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  Nj Sithole Assistant Resident Director, South Africa & Botswana

  Nj was born in New York City. His parents returned to their homeland The Republic of South Africa in 1995, with Nj and his little brother in tow. Upon completing his high school education, Nj enrolled at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and graduated with his a BA in social science. He completed his honours degree in Cultural Communication and Media Studies as well as in Drama. Throughout Nj's university career he has been employed by UKZN's international office and now works exclusively with Interstudy.

  Email Nj
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  Chris Kotze Program Administrator

  Chris was born and raised in Cape Town. In 2002, he left South Africa for the United States to attend University thanks to a swimming scholarship. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy and Business from Texas Christian University. After graduating, he worked for a large student travel agency in Dallas where he enjoyed working closely with students and Universities in the study abroad arena. Having been fortunate enough to travel around much of the US and the globe, he believes Cape Town to be the most beautiful and vibrant city on earth and is passionate about introducing new people to his hometown and to South Africa.

  Email Chris
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  Anita van Soelen Program Coordinator, KwaZulu-Natal

  Anita has been working with the Interstudy team since the early days of developing the program at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She is based on the Howard College (Durban) campus and has joint duties with Interstudy and the University. For the past twenty-five years, Anita has been working for the University Head Applications and Information Office, along with being the Interstudy coordinator for the campus. Anita will be available to Interstudy students on a daily basis on the Durban campus.

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  Sandra Naidoo Program Coordinator, Pietermartizburg

  Sandra has been associated with international students since 1982 in the Faculty of Agriculture. She has been involved with Interstudy since 1994 and is based on the Pietermaritzburg Campus of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, situated near the Midlands Meander and the Drakensberg. Presently she heads the Examinations, Graduation, and Timetabling office and is the Interstudy program advisor on this campus.

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  Gillian McGregor Program Coordinator, Eastern Cape

  Gillian joined the Interstudy team in 2011 and is based on the Rhodes University campus where she is a Lecturer in the Department of Geography. She teaches Physical Geography and Geographic and Information Systems to undergraduates and postgraduates. Her research interests include: mountain environments, coastal environments, land-use change, and the biogeography of Southern Africa. Gillian is involved with student life on the Rhodes campus as a sports coach and as a member of various sports teams. Gillian is also the advisor for Interstudy students on the Rhodes campus and coordinates the orientations and excursions for both the Rhodes and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University students.  

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  Monalisa Ndwayana Interstudy Campus Contact, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

  Monalisa handles all administrative activities associated with study abroad and exchange students from the United States and is the designated contact for Interstudy students at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Office of International Education.  

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  Charles Foya Resident Mentor, University of Cape Town

  Charles is a fourth year Bachelor of Science student at the University of Cape Town. He volunteers on campus as a class representative, tutor, and also participates in the SHAWCO Step Program. Charles strives to be a better person everyday and believes in having a balance of work and play in life. His hobbies include socializing with friends, meeting new people, and watching soccer and rugby matches. Charles lives at the Interstudy residences and is responsible for organizing social and cultural events for Interstudy students.  

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  Gudani Bvumbi Resident Mentor, University of Cape Town

  Gudani is in his final year at the University of Cape Town, receiving his Business Science degree in Finance. On campus he is a residence librarian, a researcher for Inkanyezi, and a member of SHAWCO and the Rural Support Network. Gudani enjoys playing chess, acoustic guitar, and playing cricket and soccer. He speaks a number of languages including Venda, Tsonga, Zulu and Afrikaans. Gudani lives at the Interstudy residences and is responsible for organizing social and cultural events for Interstudy students.  

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  Florence Akara Resident Mentor, University of Botswana

  Florence is finishing her final year at UB where she is studying Law. Outside of the classroom, Florence does volunteer work in Gaborone as she feels very strongly about Environmental and Human Rights issues. Her law background comes in very handy when she advocates for these social issues. Florence is a member of the UB Athletics Club and also has a myriad of interests which include arts & crafts, music, photography, painting, travel, socializing, and jogging. She enjoys working with Interstudy’s UB students and helps them adjust to their new cultural and academic life in Botswana. Florence also organizes activities and helps with Interstudy’s excursions.  

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  Orientation Mentors

  Orientation mentors are an integral part of the Interstudy Orientation Program in Southern Africa. Mentors are carefully selected by the Interstudy staff to offer a local student perspective for our students. Mentors are usually in their second or third year of university and are able to offer advice to students on campus life, local culture, and general orientation questions. For a list of this semester’s Interstudy Orientation Mentors, click here: Interstudy Orientation Mentors.