Chris Lindstrom
Christopher is a multilingual program manager. He holds a B.A. in French from Ohio State University, U.S.A. and an M.A. in Peace Studies from International Christian University. Christopher is serving a second term as an International Coordinator with Peace Boat Japan’s GET language teaching team. Between Peace Boat contracts, Christopher served 18 months as the Global Trek Director at buildOn.org, coordinating 100 plus Elementary School building volunteer trips in 5 countries overseas. Chris regularly orchestrates leadership and service-learning curriculum, logistical and safety support, financial reporting, inter-cultural exchanges and more. In Japan, he has contributed to youth programming with english-adventure.org for over nine years, and in California he has facilitated conflict resolution curriculum for over 15 years at The Mosaic Project. In the past, Christopher served in two United States Government humanitarian institutions, the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps, where he recruited and trained volunteers and led large scale events in a full-time residential service program, and the U.S. Peace Corps, where he compiled global environmental education best practices curriculum and served as a former Peace Corps Volunteer to Mali, West Africa in Natural Resources Management while working in cooperation with France’s Volunteers of Progress Association. He is a proud holder of the United States’ Presidential Lifetime of Achievement Award.
Where did you grow up?
Cleveland, Ohio
Where do you call home now?
Chiba, Japan
Year started at Global Works?
2005
What’s your favorite part about leading trips?
Exchanging Ideas with students, faculty and community members in a unique context, inter-cultural exchange!
What’s something you can’t live without while you are traveling?
My sense of humor
Tell us about a favorite memory from a trip you have taken
An evening local event in the Ste. Anne forest of Martinique with resident artist Marie-je and trip participants.
Where is your favorite place you have traveled to?
Djenne, Mali
Fun fact, special talent, or favorite memory
I sometimes pick up my grandfather’s 1952 accordion to play.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I like to dance, run, sing, ski and travel.
What languages do you speak?
Bambara, English, French, Spanish and Japanese to varying degrees.
If you had to give one piece of advice or words of encouragement to someone on their first travel experience, what would it be?
Try and stay open-minded and seize the opportunity to practice the country’s language that you are exploring to the best of your ability at the time, whatever that is!
Tell us why you are excited for this year’s trip!
Going to France is a second home and a joy to share with others.