Congratulations Denise and Bruk!

Over the years, international internships have changed the lives of interns from the Northwest in many ways, but the most life changing experience of all may be falling in love – and marrying – someone from another country. The most recent cross-cultural couple to make it to the altar are Denise Baker (former intern at AAI in Ethiopia) and Bruk Haile. Denise met Bruk in Ethiopia and they tied the knot in Addis Ababa in April. The following is a short update from her about their plans. Congratulations, Denise and Bruk – and best wishes for your move to Portland!

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“We had a really small ring ceremony at the transportation office in Addis, complete with fake peach trees and yards of blue silk hanging from the walls, and then had a fantastic honeymoon that included eleven hour bus rides, chamber pots in Harar, and one bout of Denise “exploding” in Dire Dawa.

I’m headed back to Portland, Oregon on May 13th, where I’ll be in need of a job (also a good wedding present, if anyone knows anyone who needs a nanny, or anything else) and doing prerequisite courses for an 18-month nursing program. Destination Africa continues…

Bruk will be headed to Portland as soon as he gets his visa – should be three to six months. We plan to soak up electricity, hot water, and basketball games, and then head back to Africa, armed with a nursing degree and shared memories involving sushi, the Oregon coast, and a chunk of time where I’m not The Ferenji.”