MEET the TEAM

Tim & Lyn Newbrander

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Tim leads ISI Philly.  Tim loves sports, exploring new places, travel, Coca Cola, ice cream, and learning about new cultures.  Lyn likes cooking international foods and hanging out with friends from many cultures.  They have lived in Japan (Lyn), The Netherlands, and Germany, where they raised three kids.  ​They live in "The House for All Nations" where they welcome everyone.

Pranoy 

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Pranoy met the Newbranders at New Student Orientation, his first day at Penn in the fall of 2017. He is now known for his love of all things ISI, good discussions, willingness to give a helping hand, and being a cutthroat player of Siedlers of Catan. (Don't say you weren't warned.)  

Andrew, Heather, Sim & Micah

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ANDREW, HEATHER, SIMEON and MICAH are world travelers who have settled in the Philly area. They have a house just a few blocks away from Tim and Lyn, and love hosting events as well! They love to play games, eat good food and make new friends. Andrew is involved in ESL, and Heather loves to have people in her home!  Ask Sim and Micah to play a game with you! ​

Samagata

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 Samagata came with her friend to a graduation party in 2017 and only has one regret--"Why didn't I come hang out earlier?"   She loves cooking and hanging out, and when she has time, she shares some of those cooking skills with us! Meanwhile, she's on the hunt for a job, now that she graduated in 2018! She is proof that you WILL make it to the end of your studies!
Tom & Janet
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Tom and Janet love hanging out with students and usually come to our First Friday events.  Tom teaches ESL at Penn and Janet is a counselor.  They've also lived abroad--Tom grew up in SE Asia . Tom and Janet lived in Malaysia for a while where Tom taught ESL.  

Jose & Christy

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​Jose, Christy, Noel, Rachel & Kylie come down from the suburbs every Friday night to hang out with students. Jose, Christy and the girls lived in Peru for two years. They enjoy interacting with different cultures and are a bilingual family. Jose's hobby is boxing! Get to know them, amigos!
Stephanie
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Stephanie is from China and is in her final semester at Penn. She has been part of ISI for over a year and enjoys hanging out and cooking together. She is skilled in the "The Art of the Deal," and if you're not careful, you'll be giving her 2 cards for 1 in Catan...
Ernie and Cindy
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Ernie and Cindy get the prize for the longest commute.  They came once to interview Samagata, and have been coming ever since to hang out with students and help them any way they can.  They make a really great goodie bag! Ernie loves baseball and Cindy asks terrific questions!
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In addition to the people pictured here, lots of our friends are waiting to befriend you!  This is 
definitely the way to CONNECT!

For some of our activities, we partner with Global Connect: U City.  Check us out over there as well!