Tetiana holds an M.A. in Japanese Linguistics from the University of Washington, where she worked as a teaching assistant for Japanese language courses. As a MEXT research scholar at Kyoto University, she spent two years living in Kyoto, researching Japanese language learning while immersing herself in both the ancient and modern sides of Japan. Originally from Ukraine, Tetiana has taught Japanese and English to students of all ages and believes that language is one of the most powerful tools for connecting across cultures. She has been actively involved in educational and cultural projects, including mentorship in eco-projects and Erasmus+ international youth programs. As a passionate traveler, Tetiana has explored multiple countries and brings that spirit of curiosity and adventure to everything she does. Outside the classroom and projects, she loves singing and participates in a folk choir to discover and share her culture abroad. She is fluent in Ukrainian, English, and Japanese, and also has some knowledge of German and Korean. Tetiana has previously led Putney’s Exploration Japan program.