I work with a native Thai colleague (http://www.proz.com/profile/1540538) who is fluent in Thai, Issan, and Laotian in order to ensure that our translation work is accurately and appropriately translated.

I traveled to Bangkok, Thailand in 2002 to work as a volunteer for 2 years. During this time I gained valuable experience working with Thai and Laotian demographic groups and gained an advanced aptitude with the Thai and Laotian languages. After my stint as a volunteer, I returned to the United States and completed my undergraduate education at Brigham Young University where I earned two bachelor degrees: 1) Asian Studies (Southeast Asian Emphasis) 2) Sociology. During my undergraduate education I completed 19 credits in Thai language study. During this time I worked for three years as the Program Facilitator for BYU's Southeast Asia Development Internship program which included traveling back to Thailand and other Southeast Asia countries during spring and summer semesters and working as a translator and logistics coordinator. My senior year at BYU I began working as a translator for a local school district.

I am currently completing my Master's Degree in Sociology at Brigham Young University. As a Master's student I have received two Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships (FLAS); the first to begin studying Vietnamese and the second to study ancient Thai Literature from the Sukhothai Period. I also spent a year working with Thai and Laotian refugees in the United States in helping them to adjust and gain greater social solidarity in a new environment.