On Easter Island, at the closing ceremony of her English Language Specialist project, Alumni Ambassador Robbieana Leung had a moment to savor with her participants and counterparts. The Chargé d’Affaires from the U.S. Embassy in Chile came to present certificates and personally congratulate the park rangers who had successfully completed Leung’s English for Tourism course. The pilot project, conceived by the embassy, was designed for park rangers who manage Rapa Nui National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home of the ancient Moai. “It was an honor to join this project, and to see such strong support for cultural preservation,” Leung said. “As someone who grew up in Hawaii with family in the hospitality and tourism industry, the parallels were powerful—bridging language, heritage, and identity across Pacific island cultures.” By building rangers’ English proficiency, Robbieana and the embassy were able to support more effective communication with tourists while fostering sustainable economic opportunities that benefit both Chile and the United States.
Bridging American culture and values with those of her various host countries has inspired Leung’s career. Each of her three projects for English Language Programs have deepened her work as an international educator, project coordinator, resource designer, and American cultural ambassador. “Working with English Language Programs has been the catalyst for advancement in my career,” Leung said. “Each assignment has propelled me in new directions and opened up a whole new chapter of opportunities.”
As she continues sharing her work at conferences, universities, and international forums—presenting to audiences ranging from pre-service teachers and international students to policymakers, community members, and seasoned educators—Leung is also collaborating with Ma’u Henua, the local organization that manages Rapa Nui National Park, to develop a trilingual English for Tourism phrasebook. This resource will serve as a companion to the course she previously taught for the park rangers.
As an English Language Specialist on Easter Island, Leung led an English for Tourism course for park rangers and facilitated English conversation clubs for healthcare workers who serve over 100 thousand tourists annually.
Leung’s projects have enabled her to develop a multifaceted professional skillset. As a Virtual Educator in Algeria in 2021-2022, she taught academic writing and led Conversation Clubs at the American Corner in partnership with World Learning and the U.S. Embassy Algiers. She also worked with Access students on English for Specific Purposes, integrating Hawaiian culture through songs, ukulele, and discussions to strengthen language skills and broaden global perspectives.
As an English Language Fellow in Thailand in 2023-2024, Leung taught World Culture and Intercultural Communication at her host institution, Chiang Rai Rajabhat University. Her secondary duties were vast. For example, she organized a celebration event that highlighted different American regions and traditions—from the birthplace of jazz in New Orleans and country music in Nashville to the Midwest’s heartland with its county fairs and football traditions. In addition, she conducted teacher-training workshops across Thailand, presented at Thai TESOL, and coordinated community activities with children and university students. These included English camps, spelling bees, speech competitions, a 21st-century skills camp, and holiday events.
Along the way, Thailand’s vibrant culture enchanted her with “golden Buddhas and ornate temples; glowing lanterns floating through the night sky and drifting down rivers during the Loi Krathong festival; the exuberant water fights of the Songkran New Year’s celebration; and food that ignites the taste buds.”
Among her most impactful initiatives in Thailand was launching ‘Film Pals,’ a global video exchange that connected 275 students across nine countries. Guiding her students in creating short cultural films, Leung wove in partnerships from previous assignments. For example, she inspired her Algerian students to share their culture with her Thai students. She invited Ukrainian teachers from her past workshops and their student-cadets to exchange cultural films with her Thai students. She then connected the Ukrainian cadets with peers in Türkiye, and they presented their videos at TESOL Kyiv and an education summit. “With Film Pals, friendships grew across five continents, from hula dancers in Hawaii to cadets in Ukraine,” Leung said. “Everyone drew inspiration from each other. When the war in Ukraine began or the earthquake struck Türkiye, those events no longer felt abstract—they carried the names and stories of people my students now called friends.”
Reflecting on her projects, Leung rhapsodized about the holistic benefits she’s gained as a global educator. “These journeys did more than strengthen my resilience, humility, and creativity; they reminded me that I am always a learner, too,” Leung said. “Each experience invited me to grow, to see the world with new eyes, and to understand more deeply the shared humanity we carry across cultures. They affirmed that English teaching isn’t just about language—it’s about opening doors and sharing stories that celebrate and connect cultures.”
Stay tuned for our next featured Alumni Ambassador story with Christina Cavage.