Welcome to the EHC 2019 team!
May 27, 2019
Welcome & Introductions
Greetings from VIA!
I want to take this opportunity to warmly welcome each of you to the VIA EHC summer 2019 team and briefly introduce you to one another. I’m excited to work with all of you together to create amazing learning experiences for the participants and for ourselves.
Warmly,
Lina
PS: Here is a bit about me if you're interested.
Dr. Tom Babayev, Faculty in Residence
Dr. Tamerlan Babayev is an Assistant Professor of the International University of Health and Welfare (IUHW) School of Medicine in Narita. He graduated from Imperial College London and undertook clinical training in general surgery in the United Kingdom. He moved to Japan in April 2017 to contribute to the unique medical English education program at IUHW where he teaches medical English, clinical history taking and examination skills. His sessions will cover clinical English, medical history taking and wider issues in medical professionalism through a series of interactive and collaborative exercises. His interests include medical education, language learning, philosophy and spicy food.
“Becoming a doctor takes effort, passion, determination and of course a long time. Imagine how much better it can be if you enjoy the journey…”
Email: babayev@iuhw.ac.jp
Nicole Ludwig-Rodriguez, Assistant Director
Nicole holds a doctorate in Human Rights Education from the University of San Francisco. Her dissertation research focused on female refugee experiences in the US. Previously she attended Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California and completed a MA in International Policy Studies. Nicole worked for several non profits over the years in the San Francisco Bay Area, such as the Commonwealth Club of California, where she managed programs for the Marin chapter. Nicole currently also works for Education First in Marin county, where she works with cultural exchange students and au pairs from Latin America, Europe and Asia.
In Nicole's free time she loves to spend her weekends with her two dogs Andrew and Benji and her husband, travel to different countries, and ski in the California sierras.
Email: nicole@viaprograms.org
Nora Kirsch, Fellow
Hey everyone! I’m Nora Kirsch, a recent graduate from Willamette University with a major in Spanish and minor in Asian Studies. I’m currently looking to develop a career incorporating my passion for international education and exchange of language and culture. As a freshman, I earned a research grant to study Romanesque churches in the north of Spain. I have studied and volunteered abroad in Quito, Ecuador and have worked as a Spanish and writing tutor. I am currently a translator for the HealthStart Foundation in Austin, Texas, which focuses on children’s health education. In my free time, I love taking and editing photos, learning languages, and hanging out with my dog. I am so excited to be a part of the EHC team and get to know and support all of the participants!
Email: nkirsch@willamette.edu
Kishori Koppu, Fellow
Email: kishori.koppu@gmail.com
Hajime Sakuma, Fellow
Hajime is a 4th year medical student at the Kobe University School of Medicine. He was raised in Tokyo before moving to Kobe to begin medical school. He participated in VIA’s EHC program in 2018, and is excited about working to enrich the experience of participants as a fellow and an alum as well. His aspiration is to be a comprehensive physician being capable of working globally. Besides what he is studying at the university, his interests include medical education, cross-cultural communication, nutrition, jogging, hiking and reading books.
Email: fmv.hajime1005@gmail.com
Krystal Smith, Fellow
Email: krysmith16@gmail.com
EHC 2019 Team Meeting #1!
Program Updates
- We have received 36 applications.
- So far, 20 students have committed to participating in the program.
- I will be sending out another batch of acceptance letters in the next few days.