Meet the instructors !

Hi everyone!

With orientation fast approaching, I thought it would be a good idea to get the ball rolling and give you a little insight into who the stagiaires will be spending their summer with. Below you'll see both a picture and brief description of each instructor.

Ryan Hendrickson

Hello parents of future stagiaires!  My name is Ryan Hendrickson and I am the Student Coordinator for St Brieuc this summer.  This means that I am the main point of contact for students and families onsite.  This is my third year teaching for the program as well as my third year in this position.  I also teach the course on French Phonetics and Linguistics.  I am currently in my 5th year of Graduate studies in French Linguistics at Indiana University where I study a minority language in northern France.  I am originally from northern Kentucky and I did my Undergraduate degree in French at the University of Kentucky.  I tend to avoid talking about sports as it can get uncomfortable, especially during basketball season!  I have spent one summer living in Paris as well as an academic year in Rennes (which is the capital of Brittany, France) on exchange programs.  Outside of school, I enjoy cooking, watching TV and movies, and any occasion to get together with friends.  I look forward to meeting you and your students at orientation and anticipate another excellent summer! 

Larry Komrower

My name is Larry Komrower and I am beyond excited to be returning to St. Brieuc for a second year as the logistics coordinator/grammar instructor!  Since beginning studying French at the age of 12, I've been obsessed with anything involving France or its language, and I am looking forward to sharing my love for all things French with our wonderful group of students.

After graduating in 2009 from Ithaca College with my BA in French and theater, I worked in Europe for two academic years as an English language assistant, first in Annecy, France and then in Almansa, Spain.  I am currently wrapping up my MA in French Linguistics at Indiana University, after which I will be looking to break into the field of International Education and Study Abroad.

I love traveling, meeting new people, exploring new places and learning new languages.  In my free time, you'll find me either cooking, baking, singing, dancing or exercising (or some combination thereof).  I also love discovering new foods, watching movies and laughing with my friends.

Amber Panwitz

Bonjour tout le monde !

My name is Amber Panwitz and I’ll be the culture instructor for this summer’s program. I am originally from a farm in Nebraska, and I am currently a PhD student in French Linguistics. In my years studying French, I have been able to live, work, and study in France for over three years. I love being able to teach and share all of the things I’ve learned about the culture that are strangely different or surprisingly similar. As you can see from my picture, I am in the process of taking a bite (of some very stinky cheese). Eating and trying new foods are one of my favorite pastimes, so I might be the one encouraging your students to eat snails. I’m very excited to get to know all of you, and to start our adventure this summer!

À bientôt,

Amber

Jamie Root

Bonjour à tous! My name is Jamie Root and I am currently a PhD student in French Linguistics at Indiana University. Although I live in Indiana now, I am originally from (well, from nearby…) Buffalo, New York and earned my BA at the University at Buffalo with a double major in French and Linguistics and a minor in Theatre in 2011. Outside of the academic scene, I really enjoy spending time with friends, playing card/board games, reading, watching various television series, seeing shows, crocheting, and traveling (among other things).

This upcoming summer will be my second summer teaching in Saint-Brieuc, where I will be reprising my role as both the Communication instructor and the Public Relations coordinator. (This means that I am the one in charge of updating this blog and moderating the two facebook groups, among other duties!)

I'm really excited to be returning to Saint-Brieuc with the same amazing team of instructors and cannot wait to meet everyone!

-Team Saint-Brieuc

p.s. If you have a Facebook account, don't forget to join one of the designated groups:
Click here for the stagiaire group!
Click here for the parent group!