Hi, my name is Yosefa. I am an international educator, a travel lover, an athlete, and a writer. I have lived and worked in nine countries and have wandered the streets and eaten delicious meals in many more. As a child growing up in a rural California farm town, my home was always full of aromas from a far off land. My mom’s homemade stuffed grape leaves, bazella (a Lebanese lamb stew), and falafel were my favorite foods as a child. I was lucky to be introduced to food from communities around the world without ever traveling there myself.
I am passionate about cultural exchange and education and my day job consists of managing international programs for computer science professors and students. When I’m not coordinating international experiences for others, I enjoy exploring the natural world, running, traveling, and cooking homemade dishes for my friends with the spices I’ve collected through my wanderings.
My writing career began in the travel industry when I worked as a fact checker for a travel publishing company. Eventually I moved on and built a career around international education. I returned to writing a few years ago as a Blog Editor for Shoestring Adventures. I wrote articles about the natural world and interviewed inspiring outdoor enthusiasts. This is my first culinary foray and I am excited to blend my love for travel, cultural exchange, spices, and writing.