My name is Allyson and I am a New York City based international education professional for university scholars, immigrants and refugees, adult learners, and young people from around the globe. With over 10 years of experience in advising and developing educational programs, I empower students from diverse and marginalized populations with communication skills to help them advance their education goals. In addition to developing and advising in educational programs, I have taught Italian and English in classrooms to over 50 nationalities.
I thrive on facilitating conversations and an exchange of ideas across cultures and nationalities. Art, literature, music, food, philosophy, and mindfulness are essential tools in my work to create welcoming learning environments that connect individuals and communities. My mission is to serve as a liaison for my students and clients to educational and social advancement, contributing to a more inclusive and equitable society.
My background is in the study and instruction of the Italian language and Renaissance literature and art, a passion I developed through extensive stays in Tuscany and Rome while earning my bachelor’s degree in art history. I earned a master’s degree in Romance languages (Italian & Spanish) and taught Italian to undergraduate students at the University of Georgia for two years. After expatriating to the Dutch capital city of Amsterdam with my husband (and two cats), I received a master certification in ESL instruction, registering my own freelance business teaching English in addition to working for a private language school. As an English instructor in Amsterdam, I designed and facilitated language-focused tours of the city and its major museums, giving special emphasis to history, art, and culture.
During the pandemic, I worked remotely as an educator and curriculum developer for a private middle school based in Atlanta, Georgia, and relocated to Portland, Oregon. There I entered the nonprofit field and dedicated my services to the education and welfare of immigrants and refugees fleeing international conflict and socio- and economic strife. This experience instilled a deep understanding of the privilege from which my personal and professional experiences grew and has strengthened my ambition to create accessible avenues to education for all, especially those from marginalized and international backgrounds.
I reside in Brooklyn with my UX researcher husband (and two well-travelled cats) and work in Manhattan as an advisor to international Fulbright scholars. You can view more about my current work role and previous experience here on my LinkedIn page.
Allyson Abroad 