STAFF
ICADS has a faculty and staff that is dedicated, well-trained, and experienced, from several countries, most of whom are fully bilingual. Our Spanish professors participate in regular in-service teaching workshops that expose them to the latest techniques as well as enabling them to better work with students with special learning needs.
From left to right: Kat Peters, Assistant Director; Gaby Garcia, Spanish Program Coordinator; Kristen Anderson, Administrative Director; Pamela Ceciliano, Reception; Anthony Chamberlain, Director; Emilce Cordero, Internship Coordinator; Machi Chaves, Host Family Coordinator; David Norman, Field Program Professor; Ligia Bogantes, Spanish Professor.
ICADS staff
| Anthony Chamberlain, Director Don Antonio (as he is known in Costa Rica) holds a Ph.D. in Political Economy and Third World Development from the University of Maryland, College Park, and an M.A. in International Relations from the same university. His B.A. is from Messiah College. Prior to his work in Costa Rica, Dr. Chamberlain was a Graduate Fellow/Instructor at the University of Maryland, a Foreign Expert at Beijing University, P.R. China and served as a missions consultant in South America. |
Kristen Anderson, Adminstrative Director Originally from Iowa, Kristen studied Spanish at Bethel University in Minnesota and also spent a semester abroad in Costa Rica. She has lived in Costa Rica for over three years and has worked in various fields, including Spanish-English translations, teaching English, and working on an organic farm with environmental education. Kristen enjoys working with students who are studying abroad and seeing how their perspectives change and broaden through this experience. |
| Machi Chaves, Homestay Coordinator Maria Emilia (Machi) Chaves holds a B.S. in Psychology from Bowling Green State University, and a Licenciatura from the University of Costa Rica. Machi feels privileged to live in Costa Rica, a bird-lover’s paradise, as she tries to observe and read all she can about birds. Machi has worked at ICADS for many years and continues to enjoy opening the eyes of our students in order to achieve a better world. The opportunity to offer work to the ICADS host families is another important contribution that Machi makes toward a better world. |
Emilce Cordero, Program Coordinator Emilce was born in Costa Rica and, after her high school years, left to study English as a second language and Business (Human Resources) at Bunker Hill Community College in Boston. After 10 years of living in the U.S, she returned to Costa Rica and has worked with ICADS for many years. Emilce is currently studying Social Work at Universidad Libre de Costa Rica. Emilce loves working with students in various ICADS programs, and she especially enjoys coordinating internships and volunteer work. Emilce enjoys learning, teaching and dancing. |
| Gabriela García, Spanish Program Coordinator Gaby has been the coordinator of the Spanish team since July of 2007. She has a degree in philology from the University of Costa Rica, where she was enrolled in the Latin American Literature Master’s program, and where she is now finishing her Master’s in Spanish as a Second Language. Gabriela is an official ACTFL evaluator. She has been a professor of Spanish since 1997 and has directed Spanish programs in Costa Rica as well as Panama. One of the things that most motivates her about her work is the possibility of her students improving their Spanish so that they can build bridges between countries and open opportunities for greater intercultural understanding. |
David Norman, Field Course Professor David received his M.A. from the Latin American Studies department at Tulane University. He is a resident of Costa Rica and has been working in Latin America for over 26 years. He did his thesis research on the effects of hunting on Paraguayan reptiles and in the late 1980’s came to Costa Rica to help set up the region’s first wildlife management master’s program. |
| Katherine (Kat) Peters, Assistant Director Kat holds an M.Ed., concentration in International Teaching, from Framingham State University. She received a dual B.A. in Spanish and International Service from Valparaiso University.e. She has traveled throughout Central and South America, and before coming to ICADS worked with Latin American immigrants in the United States and Nicaraguan immigrants in Costa Rica for 7 years, as well as with numerous organizations that focus on international education for US citizens, both in the United States and in Costa Rica. |
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ABOUT US:
testimonials
«I didn't have many expectations before coming to ICADS since I had no idea how it would be, but the experience surpassed any expectations I could have had. I loved my host family and my teachers were unbelievable, as were the other people that work in ICADS. I came to ICADS in preparation for studying abroad in Argentina, and I think I am so much more prepared now - both in terms of my knowledge of Spanish and prepared to experience new cultures and people. All in all, the feeling I get from ICADS and the people here is one of warmth, happiness, and respect, and I couldn't be happier about having picked ICADS.»
-Marni Singer, Brandeis University
Spanish Immersion Program
January 2009
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