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ILI

The International Language Institute of Massachusetts (ILI) promotes intercultural understanding and diverse communities by providing high-quality language instruction and teacher training.

You are here: Home / News / LISTEN UP: #VoicesOfILI is here!

February 24, 2020

LISTEN UP: #VoicesOfILI is here!

LISTEN UP: #VoicesOfILI is here!

ILI’s FIRST inspiring voice is that of Amy Ben-Ezra!

This new initiative is brought to you by our Social Media Intern, Payton Wright.  Payton is a Business Administration in Marketing major at UMASS Amherst.


Amy Ben-Ezra

Before moving out to the farm covered, home grown countryside that is Northampton, Amy was born and raised in Philadelphia. High school gave her a glimpse of the world as she spent five weeks studying French right in France. She headed off to college in Binghamton, NY and attended the State University of New York where she spent a semester studying at the University of Costa Rica.

At ILI, Amy wears many hats.

She acts as the school’s social worker, volunteer tutor program coordinator, home stay program coordinator, and helps with fundraising whenever needed! What is even more impressive than the extensive list of services she provides? In my opinion, it’s how she landed the job (or jobs). When Amy found herself feeling burnt out from the social work she was doing, her sister-in-law asked her a very existential question: “When were you the happiest?” Amy’s mind took her to all the world experiences she had from small language schools in Mexico, to home stays in France and Costa Rica, some of the happiest times of her life were spent in other countries studying languages. This is when Amy was introduced to ILI.

Amy was offered a six-month 20 hour/week volunteer position at ILI and decided to take the risk. Six months later she was offered a job, that was thirteen years ago! Amy says that her absolute favorite part about working at ILI is the positive environment and stresses that people want to be here, which makes work infinitely more enjoyable! Every day she is exposed to international culture and meets people from all over the world who always have something to share and learn from.

Outside of ILI

Amy enjoys spending free time solving crossword puzzles, interior designing, and listening to all types of music (minus pop and most classical pieces). Although she loves and appreciates all types of world music, some of her favorites are blue-grass, jazz, and folk. She has even attended multiple music festivals including the Newport Jazz Festival, Rhythm & Roots Festival, Green River Festival, Grey Fox Music Festival and more!

Thank you for all you do for ILI Amy, keep rockin’!

Follow this series on Instagram with the tag #VoicesOfILI.

Article by ILI Staff / News

ILI News

  • Marco Bittencourt brings a lifetime of multicultural experience to teaching! April 12, 2023
  • ILI Spotlight: Brian Long, teacher trainer and ILI instructor March 29, 2023
  • Volunteer Spotlight: Emily Soltanoff March 15, 2023
  • 4 Great Reasons Why You Should Learn Spanish in the USA February 22, 2023
  • A guide for beginners on how to learn Spanish February 8, 2023
  • Mayor Honors Past ILI Board President February 1, 2023

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We are honored to be the recipient of the @paradis We are honored to be the recipient of the @paradise_city_arts_festivals silent auction this year during the Memorial Day weekend (May 27-29) at the Hampshire County Fairgrounds. Artists who exhibit and sell their works donate items for the auction. This gives you a chance to take part in the fun of bidding on their great creations while supporting ILI at the same time!

Don’t miss free introductory Spanish classes on Saturday and Sunday, right at the show! We'll be holding three 20-30 minute sessions in the late morning and early afternoon, followed by feedback and suggestions on how to find the ILI language course that’s right for you. Classes are limited to 6-8 people per session, so head to the auction tables when you arrive at the festival and sign up in advance. 

✨Calling all volunteers!
Volunteer with ILI at Paradise City Arts Festival! You get free parking and a free pass into the festival on the day you volunteer. You'll assist ILI staff at the auction tables and booth sit for artists while they take quick lunch and bio-breaks. It's lots of fun, and just think of the wonderful art you'll get to enjoy!

➡️Sign up to volunteer here: https://tinyurl.com/ew76y9ee
Last week the IEP celebrated May Birthdays! We gat Last week the IEP celebrated May Birthdays! We gathered for cake, those being celebrated made wishes, and students sang Happy Birthday in English, Portuguese, Tibetan, Chinese, Turkish, Russian, Arabic, Spanish, Korean, Japanese, & Lao! 🍰

Thanks for creating this video, Jo!

#happybirthday #languagelearning #education #languagelearners #intensiveenglishprogram #northampton #internationallanguageinstitute #massachusetts #ialc
Hurray Aimée! Pictured with her son, CJ, Aimée Hurray Aimée! Pictured with her son, CJ,  Aimée graduated Cum Laude today from @mtholyoke ! Originally from the Congo, it’s been so fun to watch the amazing trajectory of Aimee..from ILI to @gccgreenfield to being selected as a Frances Perkins Scholar and serving on ILI’s Board of Directors and starting @positivelyafricana along the way among numerous other things. We can’t wait to see what she does next! 🎉❤️🎓🚀🌟
Giving Voice 2023 brought together many of the stu Giving Voice 2023 brought together many of the students, staff, alumni, board members, donors, and community of supporters that help make ILI thrive. ⭐️ If you didn’t have a chance to make a donation at the event, but would still like to support ILI, visit ili.edu/donate 💌

Thank you to @artifactcider , @provisionswine , @coopersliquors , and @cafebalagan for providing drinks.

The food at #GivingVoice2023 was from restaurants run by former students or student’s family members! Thank you Pangea Sushi, @_azhar_bakery , @masamexicano , and Mosaic Cafe. 🍱🍰

📸 Photos by Paul Specht
Last night our #GivingVoice2023 student panel feat Last night our #GivingVoice2023 student panel featured Luz Muñoz (Colombia), Canser Bayir (Turkey), and Alina Chirilov (Moldova). The three students are pictured here in the audience before the panel discussion with ILI career and college counselor, Beth Reddish.

Former student Annie Castaño hosted Giving Voice this year and led the panel discussion by asking Luz, Canser, and Alina questions about their experiences. We heard about their backgrounds, what led them to come to the U.S., their experiences since being here, the communities they’ve found and formed, the ways ILI has impacted their lives, and their future goals. We are so grateful to our students for sharing their stories, it was a highlight of the evening! ⭐️

#iligivingvoice2023 #ili #iligivingvoice23 #givingvoice2023 #internationallanguageinstitute #massachusetts #northampton #studentlife #bombyx #studentpanel
A stunning cake made by @_azhar_bakery for #iligiv A stunning cake made by @_azhar_bakery for #iligivingvoice23 🎂
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