Biography

Kristin Oberheide
Program Associate: Immigration and Operations

Kristin was born in New York City but grew up outside of Detroit, Michigan.

As an undergraduate, she majored in Psychology and German at the University of Michigan and studied abroad for one year in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany. The student exchange experience was the root of her interest in international education.

Kristin was hired at the University of Michigan International Center to do immigration administrative work for foreign nationals and their university stakeholders. She was soon promoted to be an advisor to over 5,000 international students, scholars, and family members. Kristin spent five happy years helping many people reach their professional and personal goals, and learning about cultures and places she'd never been. She was also an active member of NAFSA: Association of International Educators and Michigan Association of International Educators, presenting at workshops and trainings in J-1 and F-1 federal immigration regulations for her colleagues' professional development.

Kristin then returned to school to get a Master of Public Administration degree at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. She was a summer intern at the New York Immigration Coalition in Manhattan, researching immigration policy and working on advocacy campaigns for immigrants in the U.S. Kristin is delighted to now be working at VEF in Arlington, providing immigration and operations support for the international exchanges.