I was born and raised in Switzerland and have lived there, and for shorter periods in several other countries in Europe (one semester each at universities in England, Germany, Italy and Spain, and three semesters in Paris as well as three summer jobs at a Tourist Information at the Côte d'Azur), till the age of 27. My entire family is still in Switzerland (i.e. my parents, five siblings, and a large extended family). For this reason I spend a minimum of six weeks per summer back "home."
When I came to the United States (recruited, while studying at the Sorbonne, by the University of Cincinnati to teach French there) I was absolutely determined to stay only one year and then head back to Europe. Well, on the plane to Cincinnati I met my future husband (who also came to the U.S. for the first time, from India) and the rest is history! Our son Milan is 16 and our daughter Sarina is 13.

Besides my work and especially the interaction with students, I enjoy traveling (I have been to most countries in Europe, to Asia, the Indian subcontinent several times, to Africa, the Middle East, North and Middle America) and any exposure to different cultures, be it through direct contact with people or trips, or through readings, cooking, films, the web, etc. My hobbies include reading (in all the languages that I speak), cooking (French recipes and food blogs, German, Austrian and Swiss recipes), fitness, skiing, web design, and several more.
I am organizing and leading educational trips abroad for Schoolcraft students. We have been to Europe a couple of times and in May 2010 we went to China. All of these tours have been fabulous experiences!

I am involved with the German and French communities in the Detroit area. I have taught at the Deutsche Sprachschule Bloomfield since its foundation in 1999, until June 2006. This school is for native German-speaking children (K-12) and of course, my children go there as well (once a week, from 4-7pm). I also have many friends in the French community and enjoy wonderful dinners with conversations that last long after midnight. Twice a month I host an Italian conversation group (Tavola Italiana) at the Borders bookstore in Beverly Hills (1st and 3rd Tuesday at 7:30pm).

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I teach all levels of French, German and Italian at Schoolcraft College.

My teaching experience includes:
German language courses at all levels

French language courses at all levels, including:
Advanced Grammar and Composition in French*
Advanced Conversation in French*
Readings and Discussion - Introduction to French Literature*
Contemporary France (taught in English with a trailer in French)

Italian language courses at all levels, including:
Advanced Grammar and Composition in Italian*
Readings and Discussion - Introduction to Italian Literature*
Advanced Conversation in Italian*
*These courses had a “Service-Learning” component (experiential-learning in the community outside the university)

Elementary intensive Spanish (Summer session 1995)

Freshman Seminar

Switzerland has four official languages: Swiss-German, French, Italian, and Romansh. Take a look at a few
words and phrases:

Find out more about Switzerland

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