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English Language Institute
PO Box 117051
315 Norman Hall
Gainesville, FL 32611-7051
Phone: (352) 392-2070
Fax: (352) 392-3744
studyenglish@eli.ufl.edu
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Language Assistants
Heeral Chhibber
Hi! My name is Heeral Chhibber, and I'm a second year Political Science and soon-to-be Asian Studies Major. I'm a language assistant at the English Language Institute, or to be
"colloquial", I'm an LA at the ELI. I love languages and their dual nature of bluntly communicating ideas as well as subtly conveying volumes of culture and history. I also know that trying to learn a new language can be extraordinarily difficult, so I wanted to help those who are brave enough to attempt it, and this is why I applied to be an LA in the first place. Onward, march!
Max Diaz
I am from Davie, Florida. I am studying Anthropology and Linguistics at the University of Florida with a minor in TESL. I enjoy playing computer games, watching movies, listening to music, and collecting coins. As an Anthropology and Linguistics major the ELI provides me with the mixture of cultures and languages I like. The students that I have met are all great and fun to be around. I like being involved with them in and out of class.
Austin Eklund
My name is Austin Eklund and I am a first-year student at the University of Florida. Born into a family of New Yorkers, but raised in Saint Augustine, Florida, I am majoring in linguistics and hope to foray that focus into a career as an interpreter for the United Nations. In addition to my work at the ELI, I have also been a staff writer for four newspapers in North Florida, focusing on op-ed pieces and movie reviews. As a first-generation American, it is important to me that individuals of different nationalities arrive at a mutual understanding and respect, and what better way to promote a global bond than to help students of different nationalities become fully assimilated into American culture? It is a privilege to take part in such a wonderful endeavor!
Heather Goode
I’m a third year English major with a minor in TESL. My hobbies are reading, writing, and sleeping. I enjoy working at the ELI because I love meeting students from other cultures. I want to visit Japan, Korea, and Turkey.
Andrew Hesler
I am from Hollywood, Florida. I am studying Economics and Political Science at the University of Florida. I love working with students from around the world. I hope to eventually teach overseas, so this is a great opportunity to practice and enjoy myself.
Rebekah Jackson
My name is Rebekah Jackson. I’m a Senior in Linguistics from Port Orange, FL. I enjoy being an LA because the students are so friendly and excited to learn. I enjoy saying “Hey!” to them in the hallways. I like helping them feel confident when speaking English. And I want everyone to play ultimate Frisbee with me!
Amy Joseph
My name is Amy Joseph. I am from South Florida, and right now, at UF I am a Biology and Spanish major. I love working with international students because they are so much fun and so interesting to talk to. I love hearing their perspective on the U.S. and their own countries. I myself am trying to learn several languages: Malayalam (my parents' mother tongue), Spanish and Hindi. I definitely respect all the ELI students who are
progressing so well in English.
Michelle Keba
I am about to begin my senior year at the University of Florida, and I am majoring in Anthropology and minoring in Spanish and Family, Youth, and Community Sciences. I love to travel, read, and do things outdoors.
Lara Lookabaugh
I am from Pensacola, Florida. I moved to Gainesville in 2005 to study Anthropology at UF. I am also working towards minors in Latin American Studies and Spanish. I studied abroad in Merida, Mexico for six weeks last summer and enjoy learning about and meeting people from other cultures.
Jon MacCahill
I was born in Washington, D.C. and have since lived in North Carolina, California, Maryland, Texas and multiple cities in Florida. I also lived in southern Spain in the spring of 2007 while studying Spanish. I am a Political Science and Spanish major at the University of Florida, and will graduate in the spring of 2008. After college, I plan to volunteer abroad in social and humanitarian developmental programs throughout the developing world, and eventually attend graduate school to further study International Relations. I hope to eventually work in the field of international diplomacy. I love to travel and meet different people, and the E.L.I. is a wonderful place to connect with interesting people from all over the world.
Forest Myers
I am a lifelong resident of Gainesville and I study Linguistics at the University of Florida. My minor is Teaching English as a Second Language. I love being an LA because I enjoy learning about other cultures and making new friends. I plan on teaching English when I graduate. I enjoy playing sports, especially basketball and football. I like going to ELI events and spending time outdoors. Go Gators!
Joshua Nantz
I was born in Taiwan but grew up throughout Asia and the United States. I am a junior at the University of Florida studying Marketing and Chinese. I am a big fan of football and I love to travel. The best part of the ELI is the opportunity to get to know and help improve the English of students from around the world.
Anisha Patel
My name is Anisha Patel. I am from Cocoa Beach, Florida. I am an Advertising major at UF and want to work overseas after I graduate. I love being an LA because I get to be friends with students from all over the world and I love learning about other cultures. In my free time I like to read, draw, or play sports with friends.
Katherine Rodriquez
My name is Katherine Rodriquez. I am from Miami, Florida. My major is linguistics and East Asian Studies. I love being an LA. This job allows me to meet so many different people from different backgrounds and cultures. Although I try to help the ELI students, in reality they help me learn more about the world through friendship and conversation.
Bethany Rowlings
I am a senior at UF from Lake Mary, Florida. I am majoring in Linguistics with minors in Computer Science and Music Performance. I enjoy working with international students because I love learning about different languages and cultures. I like working at the ELI because it is a great opportunity to make friends and learn about people from around the world.
Sonia Siegel
I am 20 years old and am in my junior year at the University of Florida. I am majoring in telecommunications with an outside concentration in Education. This is my first year working with the ELI. I enjoy music, outdoor activities, making new friends, and of course, being a Gator!
David Stephen
My name is David Stephen and I’m a second year Advertising major at the University of Florida. I have lived all over the state of Florida, but have spent most of my life in Tamps. I’ve always been interested in other cultures and languages. This and my love of education has brought me to the ELI.
Joshua Villanueva
Hey everyone! My name is Joshua Villanueva. I am an 18 year old freshman focusing on International Studies here at UF. I am from Coral Springs, Florida which is a great place to enjoy the outdoors. I love to run, play soccer, and dance salsa. My academic interests include learning languages (Spanish and French) and studying human cultural behavior. I eventually hope to work in the field of diplomacy. I like being an LA at the ELI because it puts me in contact with enthusiastic people who carry a unique perspective. I also like the position because I can show students the fusion of cultural elements that make our country great!
Danijela Zekanovic
Hello! My name is Danijela Zekanovic and I am 19 years old. My majors include Russian language and political science. After graduating from University of Florida I plan to attend law school. While in high school I volunteered at a middle school and I worked with the ESOL students. When I came to the University of Florida I was very excited to learn about the ELI program. Today I am very fortunate to be working with a wonderful group of students who are very diverse. I love meeting individuals from different cultures because I learn a lot about the other parts of the world. I am looking forward to a great semester.
