Azzah Albakri
Arabic Language Director
moc/atcfou//cibara
I am Azzah Albakri. I am from Saudi Arabia. I have a bachelors in English Linguistics from Saudi University. Then I received a diploma in Education from the same University. I have been in Canada since September 2010. Before moving to Calgary, I lived in Victoria, BC for seven months. At that time I went to the University of Victoria where I received a certificate in business administration (fast track option).
I am interested in learning languages. I am trying to learn French these days. I also love meeting new people and learning new cultures, languages, or accents. I like cooking but only sometimes 
I love going bowling.
The most interesting thing about me is that I am pregnant and expecting my first baby (girl) in march 2013.
Tina Schuessler
German Language Director
Hallo!
My name is Tina Schuessler, and I am very happy to have become the language director for German! I was born in a tiny German town called Rochlitz which by that time was part of former Eastern Germany (GDR). I obtained my Master’s degree in History, Politics and Cultural Studies in 2009, having studied at the University of Jena, Germany, and the NTNU Trondheim, Norway. My experience as an international student in Norway pretty much set the tone for my future “activities”. Not only fell I in love with the Norwegian language (which I taught at an evening education school after my return to Germany), I also developed an indomitable passion for exploring other cultures.
I volunteered as a teacher in Ghana, Hohoe, and I worked one year as a facilitator at the Los Angeles Museum of Tolerance, which deals with the history of the Holocaust as well as human rights issues, immigration and bullying. During that time I finally figured out what I really wanted to do with my life: teaching! So I am back in school to obtain my teacher credentials for English, History, German as a Second Language (!) and Norwegian at the University of Greifswald, Germany. Luckily, only ten months after my return to Germany there was the next chance to go abroad: Calgary! I arrived three months ago, and since then I have spent my time either in classes on English and Linguistics, or hiking in the Canadian Rockies – a perfect combination!
So, if you feel a passion for German, and/or you like German cakes, Bratwurst and Glühwein, join my language group!
Hoffentlich bis bald,
Tina
Ami Burns
Japanese Language Director
Hey all! My name’s Ami (亜美)
Aaaannndddd I am your Japanese Language Director
Let’s see.. a bit about myself?
I’m currently in my last few years at U of C as an undergrad, finishing up my BA in Linguistics and Languages (with a concentration in Mandarin Chinese). I speak three languages fluently: Japanese, English and French. And my fluency in Chinese is so-so.
I enjoy gaming as a hobby. If I’m not home studying or out working, then I’m probably gaming. I also enjoy cooking and eating. Big foodie
I am honored to be your Japanese Language Director, as I believe this will be both an educational and crucial experience for both myself, and the members of my language group!
I’m overall a pretty approachable and out-going sort of gal so if you’re ever interested in my workshops or just making a new friend, don’t hesitate to give me a shout!
Yoonju Na
Korean Language Director
Hello everyone!
My name is Yoonju Na, and I’m completing my Master degree of biomedical technology in University of Calgary.
I was born in Seoul, South Korea. In 2011, I was an exchange student in U of C from Korea University and I found out I want to study more in Calgary so I applied for Graduate school in 2012.
I’m so excited to work as a Language director. I think it is truly a blessing to be a bilingual. I volunteered in Korea Charity Organization; usually we send books for children in East Africa country. I hope I can do more work in UCTA with awesome Korean-speaking members!
Nice to meet you guys. You can always contact me if you join this!
Colleen Slofstra
Mandarin Language Director
In 2006 I went to northeast China to teach English. I enjoyed the experience immensely but realized that if I ever intended to learn Mandarin, I’d have to make a concerted effort to study the language. After two years of teaching, I decided to become a Mandarin language student at Harbin Normal University. Following hours of tedious memorization, which my Chinese teachers relied on heavily, I saw my knowledge of Mandarin gradually grow until I was able to pass HSK level 5. Now that I’m back in Canada though, my Mandarin is deteriorating at an astonishing rate! I’d love to work with a group of people who I could practice Mandarin with, challenge each other in our language abilities and develop our translation skills together. I hope that if you speak Mandarin or are learning the language, you’ll join our group.
When I’m not at work, I enjoy skiing and skating in the winter and riding my bicycle along the paths in the summer. I’m involved with my church and every week I look forward to volunteering at Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association. I enjoy going to new places, trying new things and meeting new people. The days are never long enough for me to do everything that I’d like. Despite being busy, I relish the rare days that I can make a pot of tea and sit down with a craft or art project with music in the background.
Maxim Ratnikov
Russian Language Director
Hello Everyone,
I welcome everyone to University of Calgary Translation Association. (=
My name is Maxim Ratnikov, and I am very proud, happy and very excited to become a new language director for Russian! I was born in Russia, and the city I was born, and raised in is Moscow. I am currently not in school (went to SAIT, going to UofC next fall). I have lots of passions to follow up with, and as you can tell culture, languages, and countries is one of them. I do have passion for playing lots of sports, but mainly I play rugby, and of course hockey. My other passions include: LIFE. Yes, that’s right I said LIFE. Life is too short to not enjoy it – might as well enjoy while we are still alive eh? 
(=
I currently work for The Fairmont Palliser hotel in Downtown Calgary, right in the heart of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, the Calgary Stampede!!! Yeee-haw!
I do lots of volunteering on the side of the things I am currently doing. I have been volunteering for Hockey Canada for two years already, and looking forward to volunteer more for Hockey Canada in the future.
Any other questions, please don’t hesitate to ask me, e-mail, text, and finally call me. I will be glad to answer all the questions I can.
Looking forward to meet you all,
To your bright future,
Maxim Ratnikov
Maria-Luisa Quiroga
Spanish Language Director
Hello everyone!
I’m currently a student at the University of Calgary, majoring in Sociology and minoring in Psychology. I was born in Colombia and moved to Calgary in 2001. I love dancing, traveling and learning about other cultures. I’m very excited to be a language director at UCTA! In my experience I have had the wonderful opportunity of working with people from different cultures and backgrounds, and I believe UCTA will open the doors for people like you and me who are interested in helping those with language barriers. I look forward to working with you!
