Jill's Story

As an undergraduate student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Jill Bodnar had a desire to study abroad, but couldn’t fit it in her schedule. Once she graduated, she began working, saved her money, and followed her dream to go to Europe. Returning to American shores, Jill worked with the University of Massachusetts Amherst International Programs Office and secured a position in China. From that point on, the world became her home.

Today, Jill is the Director of International Admissions and Student Support. She is able to satisfy her fascination with other cultures by helping Bay Path international students through the entire admissions process, from completing the application to adjusting to life in America. She considers herself lucky, as she truly loves what she does. Her door is always open at the international house on campus and, in her student’s words, “…it is a place where the teapot is always warm.”

“It was a case of wanderlust. After graduating from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, I decided to go to China. I was a health science major and I was very interested in Chinese alternative medicine. Luckily, I found the perfect position—I lived at a medical school and in return, I helped the teachers with their medical English, so I was able to the Chinese language and medicine at the same time. Back then, there were few westerners in China, so it was a very unique experience allowing me to make some incredible connections. I was sad to leave China. While back in the States, I received a call from a Chinese company asking if I would like to come back and work for them setting up health clubs throughout China.

I jumped at the chance. For the next 10 years, I traveled throughout China setting up health clubs for women. Now, this was a new concept, in fact, a Western concept, that was quickly adopted in China. Besides the workout areas, these health clubs had showers, saunas, and steam rooms. At the time, people still went to the public showers to bathe. Women were enthralled. It was like an awakening. The business took off.

In my position at the company, I trained staff. It forced me to get a quick grasp of the language. Most times I would have a notebook with me and I would jot down words I didn’t know. In the beginning, I was what people call street fluent. Eventually, I took a formal course to work on my grammar.

Over time my life changed, including marriage and having a son. Yet, it was always in the plans to return to America. Once I was back, I looked for jobs that would draw upon my experiences in China and living abroad. The higher education market turned out to be the perfect fit. Many families and students would love to come to American colleges and universities to study. I am the facilitator for that dream. Today, I may not have the opportunity to travel as much as I would like to, but now I see the world through my international students.”