She was a staff reporter for The Spokesman-Review (USA) between 1997 - 2000, and for the Lewiston Morning Tribune (USA) between 1993 - 1997. She studied Political Science / German (BA) at the University of Idaho (1989-2003), and previously at the Universitat Regensburg Institut fur Politikwissenschaft (1991-1992).She is the author of 'Bologna Inside(International Women's Forum, 2006), and 'Common Courage' (University of Idaho Press / Caxton Press, 2003). She has been awarded the Fulbright Scholar award for Journalism (2000), and the Arthur F. Burns Fellowship in Germany(1996). Her website can be viewed at www.thefreelancedesk.com