Richard Modica:  

Life During my life I have lived in many different places that it's extremely difficult to now call one place home. I was born in MA where I grew up and started college. Then, I moved to CA and liked it so much that I stayed for the next 17 years. During my time in CA I took a year to study and live in southern France. After returning from France, I finished my undergraduate degree and in 1989, I joined the Peace Corps and served as a volunteer in Kankan, Guinea (West Africa). Upon my return to the US from Africa, I received my teaching credential from CSU, Fullerton. Next, I taught various subjects for several more years. During this time I headed back to college in order to complete my Master's degree in Education. In 2000, I packed up and moved briefly to SC. It definitely was brief. I only stayed 1 year before heading to NH for 3 years. In August of 2004, I moved to Muscat, Oman where I lived and worked for five years. This was a great experience and I really enjoyed the opportunity to live in the Middle East. But in 2009, I decided that it was time again for me to move on. So, I packed my bags once more and heading off for a new adventure, job and culture. In August 2009, I began working as the college counselor at an international high school just south of Seoul, South Korea. The 2012-13 academic school year was my 4th year and final year in Korea. In late October of 2012, I interviewed for a HS counseling position in Singapore and fortunately a few weeks later received a phone call offering me the position, which I happily and gladly accepted. Starting in August 2013, I worked at an international school in Singapore, which is very highly regarded on the international circuit; it seems that all international teachers that you talk to have this school on their list of places to work. In 2017, I got the urge to move on from Asia and ended up in Switzerland at a school just outside of Zurich. In late October 2020, I received an email asking to schedule an interview for the Director of University of Advising at a boarding school located in an Alpine resort village in the French-speaking section of Switzerland. After going through the process, I gladly accepted the offer to become the school's new Director of University Advising. So in August 2021, I begin this new and exciting opportunity in Canton Vaud. The 2020-21 school year marked my 30th year as an educator. My career started as a TOEFL teacher in Guinea, West Africa as a Peace Corps volunteer after graduating from CSU, Fullerton. Upon my return home, I entered the teaching program at CSU, Fullerton. And in 1992, I started my teaching career in California where I spent 8 years before heading to South Carolina. Unfortunately, I only taught at Easley High School for 1 year. However, I met and worked with some awesome colleagues there. Then in 2001, I returned to New England to be close to family. I moved to New Hampshire where I taught for 3 years; it was nice to return to New England and experience the 4 seasons again. However in 2004, I decided that I needed a new challenge. In additi...Expand for more