What does it mean to lead across cultures with empathy and integrity? This summer session I at CIEE, I explored that question while teaching Intercultural Communication and Leadership—alongside powerful guest sessions on psychological safety, creative mind mapping, personal leadership, and lived experiences of displacement. Here’s what I learned…

Visiting Paradiso today was more than a simple field trip - it reminded us that music venues are not just buildings; they are vessels of emotion, creativity, and community. Behind every light, every sound check, and every performance is a dedicated team and a rich heritage that keeps the spirit of music alive.

Today in Utrecht, we explored more than a city — we rediscovered wonder, connection, and the quiet magic of learning together. Grateful for the students who showed up with curiosity, for CIEE for making this possible, and for Tuaca’s steady support along the way.

✨ Rewriting the Photojournalism syllabus became a journey of seeing deeper—through powerful guest speakers, we explored photography as story, context, emotion, and time. 📸🖋️

I'm thrilled to announce the release of my book—the STRIVE Cards Methodology Book !

After a long process, this book is here to guide you on your journey of personal and professional growth through the empowering STRIVE Cards.

In the recent Open Campus Block I Intercultural Communication and Leadership class that closed a few weeks ago, I integrate embodied learning, creative approaches, and diverse guest speakers to offer students unique perspectives on leadership and identity. I am very grateful for all the speakers who made time for this class. I share my insights and the key takeaways in this post.

I am excited to share how six diverse guest speakers transformed a classroom into a learning hub, offering unique perspectives on storytelling, design, geopolitics, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Join me as I explore the invaluable impact of diverse viewpoints in intercultural communication and leadership education.

As we approach the BASE conference on October 25th, I am thrilled to share a glimpse of what’s to come. Together with the incredible Veronica Gugugian, who has organized this impactful event, we will be hosting a special workshop that introduces the world to STRIVE Cards—a project born out of my passion for helping people unlock their potential through empathic leadership and self-awareness. [read more…]

The amazing Christina Kefala extended the invitation to be a guest speaker for CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange) students, where I shared my life journey and insights on the transformative power of creativity. The experience was both exhilarating and humbling, as I had the opportunity to connect with bright, inquisitive minds and delve into the fascinating world of creativity. [read more…]

Reflecting on my experience teaching a summer intensive course at CIEE fills me with immense pride and gratitude. Over three intense weeks, I had the privilege of guiding a dedicated group of students through a rigorous curriculum, meeting for four hours every day. What made this journey particularly impactful was our embrace of embodied learning. [read more..]

Recently, I was invited to be a guest lecturer for a group of high school exchange students at the CIEE offices in Amsterdam thanks to the kind invite extended by Bruno Miguel Correia and Daria Zelenukhina. This opportunity was particularly meaningful to me because it allowed me to share insights on a subject that is deeply personal and crucially important: the humanistic approach to understanding and supporting refugees and migrants. [read more..]

Recently, I had the immense privilege of being invited to the National Cultural Forum at Vytautas Magnus University (VDU) in Kaunas organized by the National Association of Creative and Cultural Industries. [read more…]

What a humbling feeling to close another memorable semester teaching and holding space for growth and inspiration. I find myself reflecting on the profound journey that teaching Intercultural Communication and Leadership is and how much it has illuminated the transformative power of genuine connection and the beauty of embracing vulnerability. [read more…]

For almost a year now I have been teaching in an academic setting and, honestly, I have had some moments and hesitations with it. Don’t get me wrong, I love it. But I love education period. I love being able to challenge and question and, hopefully, inspire people.
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Last week I have spent some time together with Nicholas evaluating the MyGen finals of the students at Amsterdam Fashion Institute. It was an experience both interesting, full of vulnerability and inspiration. It also gave me some ideas to speak more about the power of presenting and how you can really get a good glimpse into someone within 7 minutes of presentation and 8 minutes of asking them follow-up questions. So here are my takeaways from the experience that might help anyone with presenting or speaking in public…

One Question Project is there to illuminate amazing women and their experience and to make it accessible to anyone. It’s created to inspire, challenge to take action, create new connections and rediscover things we maybe already know.

This time we dive in to speak about learning with an old friend with whom encounters cover probably most of Europe - Snezana Baclija Knoch.

Exactly a week ago I made my first balloon animal. A dog. A good one. For a first attempt anyways. It felt strange to be in a space so far away from my daily realities of holding space for stories of trauma, fear and running for safety. It was different. And yet so familiar. This space and those people - I have realized I have spent 23 years in youth work, lifelong learning and non formal education. Maybe scary. Maybe inspiring. Maybe a little bit like folding air…

Reflecting on the workshop I held in Rotterdam this week for the lecturers of Hogeschool Rotterdam. Really happy that gender is also a language that we are developing to make the world more inclusive, connected and inspiring.

Sharing my life experiences and achievements with three groups of students at UWC Maastricht this week.

It’s never too late to learn and study. In past year I have studied in two universities - MIT and Open University. Very different experiences and very different insights.