Christie Bartilucci

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Originally from Long Island, New York, Christie now calls Qatar home. 

Q + A with Christie 

WHERE ARE YOU FROM IN THE USA?
Wantagh, New York (Long Island) 

WHERE  ARE YOU CURRENTLY BASED? WHAT ARE YOU DOING THERE?
I am currently based in a small city called Al Wakrah right outside of Doha, Qatar.  I teach Grade 3 girls at a school called Vision International School that just opened here in 2014. 
 
WHAT BROUGHT YOU OVERSEAS?
After an amazing college experience of studying abroad in 3 different countries, I caught the travel bug.  I knew that I eventually wanted to live or spend extended periods of time outside of the US.  I’ve had a desire to teach abroad ever since I finished my teaching degree.  I previously worked at an international school in New York called the United Nations International School and after hearing all of my coworkers’ stories and experiences of teaching abroad, I knew that was what I ultimately wanted to do. 
 
DID YOU STUDY ABROAD IN THE PAST (OR PRESENT)?
IF SO WHAT PROGRAM AND WHERE?
As previously mentioned, I was fortunate enough to study abroad in 3 different countries during my junior year of college.  I did the Discover The World study abroad program offered at St. John’s University, which was a pilot program the semester I went abroad.  I got to spend 6 weeks in Salamanca, Spain, 6 weeks in Rome, Italy, and 4 weeks in Paris, France. 
 
ANY WORDS OF WISDOM FOR FUTURE YOUNG AMERICANS?
I would just say, travel anywhere and everywhere you can, whenever you can.  Traveling opens your eyes and mind to so many things.  If an opportunity arises to work abroad and you’re thinking about doing it, just try it out and go for it!  You will meet many amazing people and friends, make great connections, and learn so many wonderful things about other cultures while working and traveling abroad.