My name is Kareem Djerdjouri. In September 2023, I relocated to Portland, Maine, where I started working as an ESL instructor at the Intercultural Community Center, teaching English as a second language to immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in Southern Maine and helping to equip them with the skills and support they need to thrive in Maine. I was born in Ontario, Canada, but at the age of two, my parents relocated to Plattsburgh, New York. Following my graduation from Plattsburgh High School, I completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Ottawa in Canada, specializing in French as a second language and Spanish. In addition, I earned a Certificate in TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) from the University of the Fraser Valley in British Columbia, Canada. I enjoy learning new languages, traveling, and exploring different cultures around the world. I have lived in Canada, the USA, the UAE and the Fiji Islands. I speak English, Arabic, French, Spanish, and I am now learning Portuguese. My personal goal is to become a polyglot.
My spoken French has significantly improved as a result of volunteering at the Alliance Française and participating in our monthly discussion at Café Burundi. The mission of the Alliance Française to promote the French language and francophone cultures aligns perfectly with my passion and love for language-learning and my desire to explore different cultures and make a difference at the non-profit cultural organization. I currently reside in Portland, Maine and my hobbies are traveling, reading, coaching and playing baseball. I am also an avid sports fan who loves watching baseball, football, basketball, and hockey games.