Hello everyone,

My name is Philip and I am currently a graduate student in applied linguistics and TESOL at Iowa State University. I love to study languages and learn about their histories and roles in the world. I like to meet new and interesting people, and travel when I am able.

I have learned Arabic to a low-advanced level, Russian to a high-intermediate level, and Ancient Hebrew to a low-advanced level. I love to read, speak, and write these languages, and access their rich historical traditions through their literature. Additionally, I like to invent my own scripts for the writing of my native English, and I enjoy writing poems and song lyrics as well.

I have spent time abroad in both Kazakhstan and Israel. While in Israel, I was a graduate student at Tel Aviv University in applied linguistics and TESOL.

As an additional note, I am highly interested in learning the Modern Tibetan of Lhasa. I have some experience already with the language, and a couple good textbooks and audio CDs. If a Tibetan speaker would like to work with me on this language, it would be a wonderful experience! :-)

I have also learned guitar, bass, music theory, and composition. Since 1993, I have practiced the art of music and have written over 200 songs in many diverse genres. I have played over 500 shows within the USA. I also have taught music continuously since 2002, teaching for music stores, studios, and Iowa State University.

Philip