Emilee Findley
Housing Manager
Hello, Salut, Hallo, Ciao, Hujambo, Merhaba, Nín hǎo! My name is Emilee Findley; I have been with Green River College's IPEL team since 2013. Before my present position, I worked in the IEP (Intensive English Program) Department.
I have always wanted to work with and for international students. At the age of 12, my family was involved in the international student exchange program by way of my eldest sister and the high school she attended. Through this experience, we were blessed to foster Teegan, an exchange student from Australia. It was this opportunity and life experience that enabled me to understand the blessings that such a person brings in to your life. This appreciation lent itself perfectly when I became a focal for the foreign housing and dormitory integration team while I attended Pacific Lutheran University. While on this team, I was again blessed to foster Oda, an international student from Norway. With these experiences, I have learned that diversity may be summarized by one word, acceptance. Accepting an individual or cultural practice that's not part of your own, requires open mindedness to personal growth, and understanding differences should not be viewed as challenges but opportunities. Regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, physicality, religion, socio-economic status, or age, we all have special talents and deserve acceptance and respect. Regardless of the package we were delivered in, we are all the same gift.
I feel very privileged to be part of the IPEL team, which includes our host families, students and everyone in between!