Kristen graduated with honors from the University of Pennsylvania, where she double majored in Urban Studies and English and minored in Asian American Studies. She was involved in a literary society and the Pan-Asian American Community House. Kristen values international educational experiences; she studied abroad at Cambridge University, and spent a summer interning in Hong Kong. After Penn, Kristen moved to Beijing to complete a master’s degree at Peking University’s Yenching Academy. Kristen is a proud Philadelphian, and returned to her hometown after living abroad for nearly four years. She has taught English literature to high school students, and enjoys helping students develop their voices as creative and critical writers. She enjoys getting to know ESC students and helping them share their unique stories! Outside of work, Kristen enjoys running, cooking, and hunting for the best milk tea café in every city she visits.