Kevin & Julie Frederick

I grew up in California, the daughter of a commercial realtor and designer. I attended public schools (K-9) before transferring to an all-girl’s international boarding school. Sacred Heart was a time of firsts – overseas roommates, service learning, religion. Three years there, plus a summer as an exchange student to Brazil, kick started my appreciation for global education.

In university at UC Berkeley, I focused on writing. I won a regional poetry competition and published in local magazines. After earning my BA in English, I supported myself with a variety of odd jobs (assistant to Private Investigator being one). After two years I returned to Los Angeles to spend time with my recently divorced mother. I took steady employment editing a legal newspaper – until NYU accepted me into its prestigious writing program.

New York City dazzled me with its 24-7 buzz. A full-time day job supported me; classes at night consumed me. Allen Ginsberg, Sharon Olds and Seamus Heaney were my teachers in residence. My daily routine was grueling. Work followed by night school followed by studying followed by work. By the time I earned my Master’s, I was ready for a new passion to take root – rock climbing – which led me back to the desert towers and mountain ranges of the West.

It was in Colorado that I met my husband, a software engineer. We forged a climbing bond and then fell in love. For 15 years we’ve been helping each other identify and reach our goals. Our honeymoon was spent rock-climbing through Canada. We saved up enough money – twice – to quit our jobs and travel overseas for extended periods. We climbed in far-flung places (Ethiopia) and storied locales (Thailand). On one of those adventures my husband decided to become an international educator.

We’ve been official ex-pats for more than a decade. The first few years were before children, with both of us working full-time and enjoying new experiences. With well-paying corporate clients back home, my earnings allowed us to save. After having a baby, I relished being a full-time mom. I reduced my workload to occasional projects. By the time our second child arrived, my husband’s career had taken off. Excited by the challenges and rewards of international education, I tried it for myself. I enrolled in an online educator program, TeacherReady, designed specifically for private sector professionals looking to transfer to education, and earned my teaching credential. 

I worked as a student teacher and substitute in Israel (WBAIS), then as a Debate Coach and substitute in Vienna (AISV). Little prepared me for the intensity of full-time teaching in Zambia. A heavy workload and two young children accustomed to having mama at home meant that, as a family, we had to dig deep and find new routines to nourish our close-knit bond. After four years of practice, I have found a balance between home, work and play. We feel happy, healthy and ready for what life throws at us! 

I cherish our family's experience in Zambia -- the bare feet, open homes, weekend camping trips and mountain biking. The friendly, humble disposition of the people and the beauty of Zambia’s open spaces have a special place in my heart. The lessons learned as a family -- as members of a privileged community, and about race and power relations -- cannot be underestimated. Just as all of our posts have done, our time in Africa has made us better people. As we look toward the future, I feel excited about new, undreamed of adventures.

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