Christina Ottis: Linguist. Traveler. Activist. Writer.
After graduating college in 2007 with a degree in Inter-cultural Studies from Columbia International University, I moved back home to Atlanta, GA to temporarily work and volunteer at two non-profit organizations. As a Case Management Intern at World Relief, I assisted in refugee resettlement work in the Atlanta area. It was an incredible learning experience to interact with people from all over the world on a daily basis as I familiarized myself with the non-profit sector. At Refugee Family Services, a local non-profit organization in Atlanta, I taught in the after-school program for refugee children from the area. It was a challenge and a joy to get to know all of those unique children everyday. It only pushed me further toward my desire to live and work overseas.
In January 2008 I moved to Amman, Jordan to begin an Arabic language program. Along with the desire to work with refugees and victims of war and human rights abuses, I desire to communicate with them in their own language, and additionally learn about the culture through the language. I’ve been here for a year and half, finished my studies, and began working in the area.
I am now the Assistant Director at the Arab American Center in Amman, Jordan. My goal for any employment I take is that I would always be learning. That is surely the case in my current position. The Arab American Center is an Immigration office, additionally serving refugees seeking resettlement in the United States. My work so far has been primarily with Iraqi refugees requesting mediation between themselves and the UNHCR or the US Embassy.
As evidenced by my blogs, writing is often the way I express my intrigue and passion for politically broken places in the world. I am fascinated by politics and the ways ideologies and practices affect peoples’ mentalities, hopes, and expectations. I am thrilled to now write professionally on a daily basis as I tell these refugees’ stories and learn more specifically about the laws and structures that play the vital role in human rights.
Note: The content of this blog is in no way affiliated with the views, opinions or actions of the Arab American Center
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