I’m from a small town in Western Massachusetts, and I’ve lived in Europe for nearly 30 years. I am known as an international expert on migration and, more specifically, on overseas American migration. I have even written the book on the topic: Migrants or Expatriates? Americans in Europe.
I received my undergraduate degree at Harvard and MA and PhD at Georgetown. I directed a master’s program in International Migration at the Brussels School of International Studies (University of Kent) for nearly 20 years. I have been researching, writing and teaching on migration for more than 20 years. I have taught in the US, Austria, Germany, the United Kingdom and Belgium, and am familiar with both North American and European educational systems and student expectations. I have supervised nearly 20 PhD students to successful completion, and been sole supervisor of at least 300 master’s dissertations.
In addition to my academic degrees, I am also a Certified Coach and hold a certificate from Cambridge University’s Judge Business School in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: DEI Strategies for Business Impact.
I hadn’t planned on living in Europe for as long as I have – I went to Berlin, Germany to do research for my PhD in October 1996. I had a fellowship to do my research – and then I extended it. And then… a few weeks before I was going to head back to the US, I was invited to dinner by a German friend, and I met this German man… and I ended up staying in Europe. We recently celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary.
But my story is just one. People move for all kinds of reasons, and I’ve spoken with quite a few, both during the course of my academic research, and in my life as an American living in Europe.
Speaking of my academic research, the Washington Post recognized me as the “leading authority” on overseas Americans and NPR featured me in an hour-long show The new American dream might be living overseas. I’ve also reflected on the difference between a migrant and an “expat”, while USA Today called me an “expert on Americans abroad”. I have been consulted by many organizations who want to draw on my knowledge of overseas Americans, including the White House Office of Public Engagement; I drafted a survey which they administered to overseas Americans in August 2024.
In addition to my research and consulting, I have coached, mentored and advised MA and PhD students for more than 20 years – and many of my students have gone out of their way to tell me that I am approachable, easy to talk to, and have coached and mentored them well.
When my university made financial cuts, closing our campus in Brussels, I decided to start my own business, drawing on my personal and professional experience to support others through coaching and mentoring. I am a native English speaker with near-native German.
I have always loved the outdoors, and have been a scuba diver since my late teens. In recent years, I have developed a love for the Arctic, going trekking in Greenland, working on a sled dog farm in Finnish Lapland for six months and skiing and winter camping through northern Norway.
A skiing trip in Greenland is next!