Jim
Languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese
Jim was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago but had the good fortune to live in Costa Rica in his late teens.
Costa Rica was an eye-opening experience for Jim, not only for bringing him up to native levels of fluency in the language, but also giving him a deep understanding of Latin culture and a fresh perspective of what it means to be outside his homeland, looking in. This experience drove Jim to pursue his undergraduate degree in Spanish Translation and International Business at Northern Illinois University. While at NIU, Jim lived in the Foreign Language Residency Program and was even slated to be a “native speaker.”
Throughout his time at NIU, Jim tutored in both Spanish and Portuguese for both Foreign Languages and Literature and the Athletics Department. Upon graduation, Jim joined the world of Life Sciences / Pharma and worked in several roles requiring deep engagement with Latin America. Travel to Puerto Rico, Mexico, Venezuela, Argentina and his “second home,” Costa Rica were common.
Jim lives with his wife, who is from Guadalajara, Mexico, and his bilingual daughter, who is now a student at Indiana University’s Kelly School of Business. Most importantly, Jim looks forward to sharing his passion for language with his students. Having been a tutor, a TA and having been immersed in warm cultures that encourage language learning, Jim knows what it’s like to start with an empty cup and fill it over days, months and years.
