I haven't just studied connection—I've lived it—in my native English and second language, Spanish.

My academic training—Ph.D. in Bilingual Education, B.A. and M.A. in Spanish, and TEFL certification—along with research into human connection established the theoretical foundation for my work as an English conversation coach.

But it was living in the United States, Colombia, and the Czech Republic, in addition to long-term stays in several other countries, that provided the practical wisdom.

Along the way, I taught English and Spanish at American universities and schools, directed a study abroad program in Mexico, prepared current and future English language teachers in New York City, and trained petrochemical managers in cross-cultural communication in Saudi Arabia.

And I connected—with my Hungarian students in Budapest, Latino colleagues in Miami, Cuban host family in La Habana, Georgian friends in Tbilisi—and with people from around the world in Prague.

What this global journey has made clear: