Kristen was awarded a scholastic grant and became the first Westerner to live in Sauri, Kenya. Her other adventures include hiking the Himalayas in Nepal and canoeing along the Mekong River in Cambodia on Where There Be Dragons educator program scholarships. She has also enjoyed traveling throughout Europe and the United States. Kristen ran the New York City Marathon, bicycled the Boston to New York AIDS Ride, and completed the Alcatraz Sharkfest Swim. With experience in educational publishing, nonprofit organizations, and schools, Kristen’s most recent role as an educator has been teaching middle school and tutoring children of all ages. Kristen lives and works in her home state Connecticut.