Williamson, Wendy 1971–

(Wendy S. Williamson)

PERSONAL: Born August 10, 1971, in Muskegon, MI; daughter of James (an environmental scientist) and Susan (an artist; maiden name, Bucholtz) Williamson; married Francisco Jaramillo (a computer technician), August 15, 1997. Education: Indiana University, B.A., 1993; Western Michigan University, M.A., 2000.

ADDRESSES: Office—Office of Study Abroad, Western Michigan University, B200 Ellsworth Hall, Kalamazoo, MI 49008. E-mail—wendy.williamson@wmich.edu.

CAREER: Publisher and administrator. Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, study abroad adviser, 2000–. Owner of Agapy Publishing. Served in Peace Corps in Cameroon, 1994–96, and Ecuador, 1996–98.

WRITINGS:

Martial Arts: The Christian Way, Agapy (Kalamazoo, MI), 2002.

Study Abroad 101, Agapy (Kalamazoo, MI), 2004.

SIDELIGHTS: Wendy Williamson grew up and attended college in Michigan, then joined the Peace Corps, where she served in Cameroon, West Africa, and Ecuador, South America. After returning the United States and earning her master's degree in counselor education from Western Michigan University, Williamson joined the staff of the university as a study abroad adviser. She also is the founder of Agapy Publishing, a company that specializes in Spanish-English translations.

In 2004, Williamson published Study Abroad 101, a book designed to help students interested in studying abroad. The author discusses how to decide if studying abroad is a viable option, how to narrow down choices, and how to plan the trip. The book also covers issues such as managing money, dealing with culture shock, keeping in touch with family, and life after study abroad.

Reviews of Study Abroad 101 were positive overall. Some critics found Williamson's book to be an easy-to-read and straightforward guide. The book is "a brilliantly conceived and expertly presented introduction providing specific, concise, informed and informative answers," wrote a Small Press Bookwatch contributor. Others found the work to be a good, brief overview of the study-abroad experience. Study Abroad 101 gives "a quick introduction to the issues," stated Alan Boyd in a review for Peace Corps Writers.

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Small Press Bookwatch, September, 2004, review of Study Abroad 101.

ONLINE

Peace Corps Writers Web site, http://www.peacecorpswriters.org/ (September 27, 2005), Alan Boyd, review of Study Abroad 101.

Western Michigan University Web site, http://homepages.wmich.edu/ (October 7, 2005), information about Wendy Williamson.