Travel as a Cultural Gateway: Meet Kendra Elie, Bilingual Financial Aid Advisor

(MANHATTAN, NY — July 24, 2025) Kendra Elie’s trajectory differs from that of many Spanish Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) staff members, with English being her first language and gaining fluency in Spanish as an adult. As the university’s bilingual financial aid advisor, Elie assists incoming Empire State University Spanish BBA students in financing their education sustainably and navigating university resources.

Born in Leeds, Maine, Elie describes the setting of her childhood as remote and rich in nature. “It was just me and my brother outside, playing,” she says. Her early years centered around family, with group activities like skiing and school extracurriculars like marching band. She reflects on the lack of diversity, noting that it wasn’t until her university years at Colby College that she gained exposure to the Spanish language to fulfill an academic requirement—and it stuck. Elie ended up taking Spanish classes for the duration of her degree, working towards fluency. “I ended up really liking it. I had fun in my classes, and great professors. I went to Spain my junior year, and I was still really bad at Spanish at that time,” she recalls.

In 2022, there was a turning point. A solo trip to Mexico meant immersion into culture and language for Elie, who took opportunities to sharpen her Spanish skills by connecting with locals. “The whole course of my life changed at that point. That’s how I really became fluent,” she says. Following that trip, Elie drove from Maine to Tabasco, Mexico, to live with her partner, whom she met during her travels. She brought along her two chihuahua dogs: Gorda and Teacup. Her love of travel has led her to experience different facets of the Spanish language and Latin culture, which informs the way she approaches each student she helps at Empire State University.

Elie finds fulfillment in working alongside the bilingual support team for the Spanish BBA, with frequent, dynamic exchanges of music, culture, and recipes that enrich the group’s understanding of the Hispanic identity and the diversity of cultures it links to. “Even my mom loves the Spanish music I play,” comments Elie regarding the weekly song-sharing tradition of the group. The sense of community strengthened by each member opens opportunities for sharing meaningful ways to engage with the cultures represented under the Spanish language umbrella—Elie herself cooks salsa macha, a spicy, Mexican sauce, and eats it with just about everything. “I make a lot because I eat a lot of it. Selling it is just kind of to fund my habit,” she laughs.

Traveling has solidified Elie’s understanding of the Spanish language, which has facilitated genuine connection and friendships, as well as deep cultural understanding. While visiting Oaxaca, Mexico, Elie was able to converse in Spanish with the person sitting next to her on the bus, who kindly helped her navigate the trip. This anecdote, to her, illustrates the community values of Hispanic cultures—she hopes that same sense of unity permeates the United States more and more. “Someone on the bus helped me get my bag off. That kindness and connection, I just never have that happen in the U.S.,” she comments about the individualistic culture of the country and her desire for a culture of connection and support.

Elie wishes to continue learning through the lens of travel, and hopes that her connection to Spanish-speaking cultures only deepens with time. Eager to welcome more students into the university’s Spanish BBA program, Elie will provide informed guidance by using all that she has learned and strives to help foster connection and inclusion for bilingual individuals. Whether it’s making salsa macha, or sharing financial aid tips, Elie is always willing to help.