I am a student at Dominican University's Graduate School of Social Work (River Forest, Illinois), scheduled to graduate in the Spring of 2012.  My focus is international social work, and I hope to serve the MRDD, elderly, at-risk teens, & refugee / immigrant communities cross-culturally.  My geographical focus is the Middle East / North Africa, India, and sub-Saharan Africa.

I am passionate about Volunteerism, and motivating people to get involved with their diverse community.  Starting in college (BA Sociology with concentration in Middle East Studies, Asbury College 2000), I have worked to lead young adults into engaging with the Muslim community, achieving new multi-cultural friendships and mutual understanding.  In terms of connecting with the immigrant community, I have found Teaching English as a Second Language (CTEFL Via Lingua Int'l - Istanbul, 2005) as an effective means of understanding their needs and building relationships.  My volunteer social work experience abroad includes such locations as the Yucatan, Mexico;  Tenwek, Kenya;  Cairo, Egypt;  and Istanbul, Turkey.  I have numerous State-side volunteer and work experience with the populations I aim to serve abroad.

Through Wiser Earth I am hoping to connect with social workers who are already engaged in my preferred field.  Doing so will not only prepare me, but also enable me make connections that will boost my career.

I have three beautiful daughters, whom I adore:  Leila (6 years old), Gazala, (5), and Nadiya (4).  I'm divorced.

Some of my interests include:  the outdoors / nature, writing poetry, running cross country, lifting weights, playing my instruments (piano, mandolin, harmonica, oud, & tabla), traveling, Eastern Orthodoxy, watching Iranian films, Socialism, eating Indian food, and especially playing with my daughters.