We had the good fortune of connecting with Kathy Ellis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kathy, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I am inspired by helping others, especially in the complex fields of cross-cultural and language communication. I am a sociologist, curious, a deep thinker, and adventurous by nature. Because I have always worked with internationals all my career life, spent ten years residing in six countries and then traveled to many more countries, I add these experiences and insights to help our internationals in the USA and to help Americans live abroad or work more effectivity in cross-cultural teams. I know the overwhelming but exciting feeling of living in another country so my empathy is real for others. We learn so much about ourselves and about people across the globe. I was born in small town, USA with little diversity. I was a high school exchange student to The Netherlands and through this awesome experience and a steep learning curve, I was smitten when I learned that there was a whole world out there to explore. There are other ways of doing things. There are other ways of thinking. How do we build bridges for connecting, learning about other cultures, productivity, and ultimately creating more peace in the world? The possibilities inspire me.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have worn many hats but always in the field of education. I have been an elementary teacher, tutor, English as a Second Language Program Director, International Student Advisor, International Student Recruiter, Undergraduate Professor, curriculum designer, and now working for myself. Presently, I teach American-style communication in the global workplace, job search skills, and ESL to advance speakers. The second area is providing USA orientation for newly-arrived international corporate employees and their families. This training includes practical daily living, cultural dimensions at work and socially, and USA background. I am also a resource and trainer for employees moving to Brazil. The third realm is that I am a licensed administrator of the “Intercultural Development Inventory” (IDI), which is a tool to assess one’s skill when engaging in differences. This assessment is excellent for Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity sector (D.I.E). I am also qualified to use “Cultural Detective”, which is tool for building bridges with others. My education, vast overseas, life and work experiences, and personality traits allow me to tune in to others, to their concerns, and to put the clients at ease. I quickly adapt and, for the most part, I am quite flexible without compromising my values and myself. To give you an idea of the diversity of assignments, I have worked with: Olympic/professional athletes, a CEO of a major German automobile corporation, Korean English teachers, one of the “lost Boys of Sudan”, IT outsource professionals, Indian engineers in Brazil, a major cultural training firm as a script writer and trainer, and Russian refugees to name a few. I have learned to judge less, listen closely, trust in my skill and intuition, and to be prepared for plans B and C because A seldom works. It’s worth every second and every penny to learn another language. Traveling is one way to learn about how others think and live. Travel. Travel. Travel. Live in other countries. The journey to learn (and appreciate!) about other cultures is really a journey about ourselves. What makes us feel uncomfortable, to understand why, and let go of what we think is always the right (the only) way. I am a bridge engineer. I find out what is the purpose of the bridge, what are the appropriate materials and design, and what needs to be done… or not. Depending on the continuum, we apply various methodologies and practices to sustain the bridges of awareness, understanding, accepting, and adapting. Maybe even adopt some customs as our own!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to the green space of Chattahoochee National Park, around St. Mountain, Beltline, Sweetwater Creek, Piedmont Park and Comet Trail. For museums, my choices would be Fernbank on Friday nights with special exhibits, Carlos Museum at Emory, Atlanta History Museum, Botanical Gardens, and the Booth Museum in Cartersville. There would need to be a day of visiting the many diverse communities. Decatur’s Farmers Market, Buford Hwy Farmers Market, H-Mart, Brazilian Bakery, Ethiopian places, Food court in Chinatown, Clarksville, Marietta on the square, and Buford Hwy. The Goat Farm in west Atlanta. There are many places of worship that have interesting buildings like BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir and monastery in Conyers. Restaurants include many on Buford Hwy, Rumi in Sandy Springs, Buckhead City Diner, Mary Mac’s Tea Room, Casi Cielo in Sandy Springs, Rays on the River, The Varsity (for history), and dozens more. As far as coffee places, White Windmill and Cafe Intermezzo. Wine bars are Barcelona Vino Teca and Vino Venue, Catch shows at Plaza Theater, Fox Theater, Civil and Human Rights Museum, Woodruff Arts Theater, and the place in Little Five Points. Catch an Atlanta United game at Mercedes Stadium or a movie at Cine Bistro in Brookhaven. That’s a start! The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are a many people for whom I am grateful. They bring such light to these endeavors. About a year ago, I had met Carrie McKinnon, a creator of a language coaching organization, and she referred me to your newspaper, “Shoutout Atlanta”. My first venture overseas, at the tender age of 17, started my journey of cultural explorations. The interest that I had as a potential high school exchange student was supported by my parents, a high school scholarship for exchange students, and an exchange organization, “Youth for Understanding.” I also appreciate my work referral system from Rita Wuebbeler and Vicki Flier Hudson, fellow interculturalists in Atlanta. On my poetry side, I am deeply supported by the memories of my mother’s enjoyment of language, reading and dreaming. I am also indebted to Johns Creek Poets, Georgia Poetry Society, and David Hutto, who is an amazing writer, editor, and my boyfriend. I have one book of poetry out, “Primero” at: https://www.amazon.com/Primero-Kathy-J-Ellis. Poetry book two, “Wings from Roots” will be published via Amazon by April. Book three is an illustrated epic poetry story via publisher, Booklogix, which will be out the early part of 2022.

Website: www.interculturalenglishservices.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-ellis-9b79191/

Other: One of these days, I’ll post some videos. I am also working on a separate place for my poetry life.

Image Credits
I put in all the images into the first request for photos. If you wish for different ones or more, let me know know. No need for credit.

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