Summer Program Assistant (April 09- August 09)
Nicole D'Entremont

Program Assistant (Sept 07 - April 09)
Claire Kelly

Hi! My name is Claire Kelly and I'm in my third year at Mount Allison. I am a Psychology major and an English minor, with the intentions of being an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher as soon as I'm done. I love to travel, watch movies, read, play soccer, experience new cultures and foods, meet new people, and have fun. Even though I've only been at Mt. A. for three years, this is my fourth experience with the MASSIE program; I've been a roommate, a conversation partner, a summer monitor for the program, and have loved every minute of it! It looks like we have a awesome group this fall, so I am overjoyed to continue my fun with MASSIE as this fall's program assistant.

Webmaster (Sept 07 - April 09)
Claire Peace

My name is also Claire and I am a third year Psychology major at Mount Allison from Dundas, Ontario. My first two years at MTA were spent living in Hunton House, where I was responsible for the website and video. I am continuing that website responsibility for the MASSIE program this fall, and you'll see me around campus taking pictures of MASSIE events all semester! I've been involved in the MASSIE program as I was a roommate last year, and am involved this year both as the Webmaster and a conversation partner. I love music, sports, movies, and generally just hanging out with friends. Be sure to introduce yourself when you see me on campus or at events, and dont forget to check the website regularly for updates! I'm thrilled to be involved in the program this year!

Former Coordinator, MASSIE Program; Former Coordinator, International Exchange Programs; and Former International Liaison Officer
Anne Semple- asemple@mta.ca

Anne is currently in Sydney, Australia, where she has just submitted her doctoral dissertation in the field of Geography to the University of New South Wales. Inspired by her time as an exchange student at Kwansei Gakuin University, Anne proposed the development of an English language Program with KGU. Further, she played an instrumental role in helping to establish the MASSIE Program and was its Coordinator for the first five groups of students (2000- 2003). Since Anne's departure she has remained a very active member of MASSIE Alumni. In July 2004 during a research term in Japan, Anne began the MASSIE Alumni Conversation Group which provided all MASSIE Alumni interested, the opportunity to speak in English once or twice a week, through conversation groups and social events. Anne continues to organise MASSIE Alumni events in Japan and she looks forward to staying involved as an unofficial alumni convenor in future. MASSIE remains a very important part of Anne's family and alumni are encouraged to contact her at any time.

I am a graduating student, and I have just completed my honours in Biochemistry. Next year I will be starting a Master's program at University of Ottawa in Environmental and Chemical Toxicology. My best times at Mount A have been spent organizing Habitat for Humanity, being a MASSIE conversation partner, participating in school events, hanging out with my friends, and of course, eating Joey's Garlic Fingers!

In her four years at Mt. A, Kathleen has had many MASSIE friends - first in residence, and then as a conversation partner. Yet she always wanted to be a larger part of the experience. Having graduated in May 2006 with a BA in English Literature, she is returning as a part-time student and is very excited to have the opportunity to become friends with all the new MASSIE students! Kathleen was born in Miramichi, NB, and has traveled in England, France, Scotland, Italy, and the US. She loves playing Nintendo and rugby, and is looking forward to many memorable times with the Fall 2006 MASSIE students. Come say hello!

Born in Calgary, Alberta, Emily lived in Western Canada until the age of seven. When her dad had a work transfer to the Maritimes, her family moved to Sackville, NB where she and her mother still live. After graduating from high school and travelling to Germany for a year, Emily decided to attend University at Mount Allison. In her third year, she went on an exchange to Strasbourg, France. Emily has been involved with the MASSIE Program, since 2004, as a Conversation Partner and a Host Family.

Hello all, my name is Charlene and I will be the Program Assistant for the this Fall. I was a MASSIE Tutor last year and loved it and this year I wanted to be more involved so that's why I applied for the job. I am really excited and can not wait to meet everyone. I know that this year will be the best year ever and I am happy to have the opportunity to be a part of that. If you ever need to talk or a good laugh stop into the office or we can have lunch on campus. Just in case you wanted to know, I will be entering my senior year majoring in International Relations with a minor in Spanish. My home is in the Bahamas and I love to laugh...so we will most likely be laughing a lot together.

Hi, my name is Charlotte Danisch, and I'll be your Program Assistant this summer. I worked for the MASSIE Program last summer as a monitor, so I'm really excited to be back! I graduated from Mount Allison last year, and moved to England for 9 months. The program assistant is a full-time job so you'll often find me in the MASSIE Office. When I'm not there, I'll be preparing for teacher's college which starts in the fall, and trying to get to the beach as often as possible! I'm very excited to meet all of the new MASSIE students, and I can't wait for the summer to start!

David ventured to Mount Allison from Canada's most eastern province of Newfoundland and graduated with a B.A. in May, 2004 with a Major in Japanese Studies and a Minor in English. He was lucky enough to study as an exchange student at KGU's Uegahara Campus from September 2002 until July 2003, and had a lot of opportunities to meet some of the MASSIE alumni again. Since he first began his studies at Mt.A in the fall of 2000, he has always been somehow involved with the MASSIE Program as a roommate, tutor, summer monitor, webmaster, and now as the Program Assistant. Dave has made lifelong friends and has had a lot of unforgettable experiences through the MASSIE Program. He feels that he can relate to the MASSIE students, since he too tried to learn a different language in a foreign country. He is thrilled to work with the MASSIE students and staff and hopes that he can both contribute and gain from the Program. His future career goals involve promoting mutual understanding between Canada and Japan.

Former Activities Coordinator
Catherine Forsey

Hi, my name is Catherine but everyone calls me Cat. I came to Mount Allison in 2000 not even knowing about the MASSIE Program. Since then it has had a profound effect on my life. I have been a roommate, tutor, and a monitor with the program. It influenced me so much that I took Japanese as my minor with my major of Art History. I understand how difficult it is to communicate in a foreign language and I admire all the MASSIE students for their courage to immerse themselves in English. By the way, the picture is of me with my Yoru-kun. I have another bunny named Hachimitsu but, I just call him Hachi-chan. See, the MASSIE Program has really affected me - even in the way I name my pets.! I am looking forward to spending this summer with the staff and students of MASSIE.

Former Webmaster - Summer & Fall 2003
Samuel Edusa

Hi there, my name is Samuel Edusa and I am a student from Ghana, which is a country on the coast of West Africa. I got involved with the MASSIE Program during the summer of 2003 and have thorougly enjoyed every moment. Even though I did not get the chance to interact directly with any MASSIE students, due to the sudden cancellation of the Program for the summer, my involvement with the MASSIE website showed me the warmness and love that we all associate with the Program. Couple this with an exposure to a rich cultural heritage, that the students bring with them, and a reciprocal learning experience and you get a formula to put a smile on anyone's face. I am very happy to have been a part of such a wonderful learning experience.

Former Program Assistant - Fall 2002 & 2003
Linda Kamhuka

My name is Linda and I am a student from Zimbabwe in Southern Africa. I have had the opportunity to be involved with the MASSIE Program since the summer of 2001. I have so thoroughly enjoyed this program that I been a MASSIE monitor for two summers in a row, a MASSIE tutor and most recently, a student assistant for the program. MASSIE has definetely been one of the most incredible and unforgettable of my experiences at Mount Allison. It is an amazing platform for cultural exchange and for bringing together people of different ages and experiences to learn from each other, enjoy each other’s company and make connections that will last a lifetime. MASSIE has been wonderful learning experience for me through which I have met many incredible people. I will always treasure the opportunity I have had to be part of the MASSIE Program.

Former Webmaster - Summer & Fall 2002
David Pack - dpack@paktopia.com

Being part of the MASSIE program, I got to meet a lot of great students. I'm now teaching English in Japan and I am happy to be able to meet my friends from the MASSIE program again.

Former Program Assistant - Fall 2002
Lungile Tinarwo

Hi, My name is Lungile Tinarwo, known to most as Lulu. I am a third year student and I am currently taking Psychology and Sociology at Mount Allsion. I am originally from Zimbabwe and I have been in Canada for a few years now. My life in Canada has been blessed by something I could not have even imagined in my mind's eye. The MASSIE Program is one of the most amazing things I have the pleasure to be a part of. I started as a tutor in
the summer of 2001 and the fall too and then I was a monitor in the summer of 2002 and now I have the opportunity to grow by being the Assistant to Anne, the Coordinator in the fall of 2002. As rewarding as this is to me nothing compares to the friendships that I have made through the Program. I know this might sound like something everyone says, but I can honestly say that I believe it with all my heart because the Program has been nothing but good to me. I hope that this is as rewarding (or even more) to everyone that becomes involved as it has been for myself. MASSIE all the way!!!!!!

Former Program Assistant - Summer 2002
Karuna Singh

My name is Karuna Singh and I am the MASSIE Program Assistant for May 2002. I have just recently graduated from Mount Allison University with an Arts degree in International Relations. I will be leading your study classes and preparing your Class Activities which I hope you will enjoy. I come from an bi-cultural family and as such enjoy learning about different cultures and people. I love to learn languages and next year I will study French for a year. I am thinking about teaching English abroad in Japan the following year and so cannot wait to learn more about Japan. I cannot wait to get to know everyone and would love if you would all come and talk to me whenever you like!

Former Program Assistant
Masafumi Kawabata

I was born in Nagoya but grew up mostly in Tokyo. I came to Canada in summer of 1996 and studied English for about a year. I started my undergraduate study at Mount Allison University in B. Commerce (major: Finance) in 1997.

As I am an international student, I understand what the MASSIE students must go through during their stay in Sackville and I would be happy to help them in any way I can.

Former Program Assistant - Fall 2000
Jen Stairs

Latest Update : Jen is currently studying her Bachelor of Education Degree at the University of Alberta, Canada. This is the first time Jen has been so far away from home and is enjoying life in Edmonton as she joins numerous clubs and new adventures from kayaking to rock wall climbing! Best of luck Jen!

Former Program Assistant
Sharon Seymour

Latest Update: Sharon is currently living, studying and working in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. She is studying childhood development at a special educational institute. We congratulate her on her marriage to her boyfriend in May, 2002.

Former Program Assistant - Summer 2001
Robin Heffernan

My name is Robin Heffernan and I am a fourth year International Relations student at Mount Allison University. I grew up in Ottawa, where I learned to speak English and French in school. This summer, I am a student assistant for the MASSIE programme and I help coordinate class activities,the MASSIE Radio Show and I teach the Language Labs. I am certified in TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) and after graduation, I plan to travel and teach English. My interests are sports, volunteer work, student government and spending time with my friends. I love to travel and so far have visited the United States, France, England, Cuba, the DominicanRepublic and parts of West Africa.