Debbie Nelson, MA ’08

Profession: English teacher and business English program co-director, One Mission Society

Location: Kiev, Ukraine

Worked in or travelled professionally to: Russia, Thailand

I love getting to know my students and learning about their lives. I enjoy teaching and seeing students improve in English. I also love being able to openly include a spiritual aspect to lessons.

What have your professional travel experiences been like?

I taught in Russia for 5 years and have been teaching in Ukraine for 13 years. It is challenging to live long-term in a culture that is completely different from your own. However, I love my students and love teaching. The hardest part for me is learning and using a second language, but this gives me more empathy for my students. In addition to my years in Russia and Ukraine, I also traveled to Thailand for courses when I was getting my after you received your TESOL master’s degree at APU. As a result of living in Eastern Europe for almost 20 years, I have been able to do a lot of personal travel, which I greatly enjoy.

What did you enjoy most about your studies at APU?

The program enabled me to earn my master’s degree while serving in the field as an English teacher and missionary. The program combines relevant study and practical experience at an affordable price. I loved the spiritual emphasis taught by professional, caring faculty. As I engaged with my fellow teachers serving abroad, I gained relationships and knowledge that were both challenging and inspiring.