FIUTS Staff

Era Schrepfer
Executive Director
era [at] fiuts.org

A former Peace Corps Volunteer from the Dominican Republic, Era has worked and volunteered with many of Seattle’s non-profit organizations. Era is a Minnesota native who was raised in Seattle and graduated from the University of Washington. Era lives with her husband and daughter in South Seattle and loves Latin music, Thai food, dark chocolate, and fiction from around the world.

Other Languages Spoken: Spanish
Favorite Place on Earth: Palenque, Mexico
Next place I’d like to go: India
Favorite international dish: Asopao de Pollo con Guandules
Favorite thing about FIUTS:  Peanut butter sandwiches and being able to learn something new every day!

Andrew Davey
Manager of Education Outreach
andy [at] fiuts.org

Originally from the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio, Andy joined FIUTS in August 2007. In college he helped build medical clinics in the Dominican Republic and Mexico, and studied abroad in Scotland and Spain. After moving to Seattle, he lived and worked at L’Arche in Seattle building community and learning from people with developmental disabilities, and also worked at YES! Magazine, prior to coming to FIUTS.

Other Languages Spoken: Some Spanish and American Sign Language
Favorite Place on Earth: Wherever home is
Next place I’d like to go: Cameroon, Nepal, Vienna or Greece
Favorite international dish: Anything with coconut milk
Favorite thing about FIUTS: Getting to know amazing people from around the world

Nicole Comforto
Manager of Student Programs
nicole [ at ] fiuts.org

A Seattle native, Nicole grew up in the Pacific Northwest and earned a degree in French and Music.  After graduating she worked and traveled abroad in Australia, France and Peru.  She returned to Seattle to work as a Study Abroad advisor in 2006, and joined FIUTS in September 2008.  She enjoys planning Happy Hours, practicing French and Spanish, and playing music with her band.

Other Languages Spoken: French, some Spanish
Favorite Place on Earth: Seattle (of course!)
Next place I’d like to go: India, Thailand, South Africa… do I have to pick just one??
Favorite International Dish: Curry
Favorite thing about FIUTS: All the interesting and enthusiastic people!

Alicia van der Veen
Homestay and Community Relations Coordinator
alicia [at] fiuts.org

With a father in the foreign service, Alicia grew up in Bangladesh, Senegal, and the Philippines as well as the Washington DC area. Alicia earned an honors degree in Comparative History of Ideas from the University of Washington and spent a year in Italy year at the UW Rome Center prior to joining FIUTS in 2005.

Other Languages Spoken: Italian, Spanish, some French
Favorite Place on Earth: Salina, an Aeolian Island off the coast of Sicily
Next place I’d like to go: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Favorite international dish: Swimming Rama
Favorite thing about FIUTS: Helping people make a home away from home.

Nimco Bulale
Office Assistant
info [at] fiuts.org

Nimco is a senior at the University of Washington majoring in International Studies with a focus of Foreign Policy, Diplomacy, Peace and Security. She was born in Mogadishu, Somalia but moved to Uganda shortly after being born due to the civil war, and then moved to Seattle with her family at the age of six. Nimco credits her diverse background with giving her a great appreciation for the many unique cultures in the world, and considers getting involved with FIUTS as one of the best decisions she has made at the UW.

Najla Elgiadi
Office Assistant
info [at] fiuts.org

I am a senior at the University of Washington studying Public Health. I’m interested in the study of populations and their environmental/diet habits correlating with health issues. I am originally from Spokane and moved to the wonderful city of Seattle for my studies. Being involved in FIUTS has been a rich experience for me to learn from others from all corners of the world.

Antonio Reyes
Education Outreach Assistant
outreach [at] fiuts.org

Antonio is a graduate student in the Jackson School of International Studies.   Originally from Texas, his sojourning spirit and interest in Asia led him to study Mandarin Chinese in Beijing, China and then to Temple University where he attained a Bachelor’s degree in Asian Studies.  After graduating from university, he worked in China for two years as a foreign expert in language and culture.  Presently, he continues to fulfill his interest in China through his graduate studies and his interest in world cultures through participating in international organizations.

Matt Thompson
Orientation Assistant (in Bulgaria Fall 2008)

Matt is a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in international studies. Originally from Walla Walla, he earned his undergraduate degree in journalism at the University of Montana. After working as a reporter for three years, he joined the Peace Corps and was sent to Bulgaria for two wonderful, but challenging years. His current focus of study is the Balkans and he continues to keep up Bulgarian language skills here at the UW.

Read Matt's blog about Bulgaria:
Back in the Bulg