Having qualified as a mental health support worker and gaining a BSc degree in Sociology and Psychology, Kirsten specialised in learning difficulties and early interventions in mental health, specifically, schizophrenia.
She later moved her attention to teaching English as a foreign language where she lived and worked as a language teacher in Geneva, following her completion of the internationally recognised CELTA qualification.
After two and a half years she moved to Southeast Asia where she continued working part time as a language teacher and swim teacher on the island of Koh Rong Samloem. It is also here that she built and ran her own guesthouse, whilst contributing to the local school, medical centre, animal welfare and extended Khmer community.
Kirsten enjoys swimming, cycling and photography in her free time and when she's not teaching swim lessons. She also continues to seek opportunities to help improve the support networks available in Cambodia for learning difficulties and mental health needs.