A graduate of Columbia University, Holly studied abroad as part of her college experience in the 60’s and has been in France ever since. Holly has had a varied career, working in the French fashion industry and in television. She went back to school to earn her Transcultural Counselor certificate from the American University of Paris in the 1980s. She worked for Parson’s School of Design in Paris as well as the France Director of another study abroad organization overseeing all aspects of the program in several cities.

Holly has traveled extensively throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East. For fun; she reads, paints, plays with her Maltipoo (Asti), visits museums, attends concerts, sees old friends and works on her potted flower bed on her Parisian balcony. Her most memorable event was being a part of a fundraiser that organized over 200 motorcycle bikers and as many handicapped children who rode from a suburban Paris hospital to the Eiffel Tower. Holly and her colleagues were awarded the “Keys to the City” by then mayor Jacques Chirac, who is currently President of France.

Holly’s favorite part of working with students is exploring new adventures with them, helping them adapt and ensuring they are gaining the most from their experience abroad. She is a firm believer that bridge building and understanding another viewpoint will have a major impact on the world. This is what motivates her to work with study abroad students. Holly says, “And the best part is seeing student 3 or 5 years later who have moved on to their destinies but still recognize that Paris was an important part of their growth.” Also Holly wants students to “understand the pleasures of daydreaming, of the importance to be surrounded by beauty and philosophy and gain a larger vision of the world; be it cultural, sociological or political. Paris is the heart of Europe...we have thought and diversity like no other city.”