Julia Styles

Hometown: Places I’ve called Home: Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin; Ciudad Juarez de Mexico; Santiago de Chile; Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Chicago, Illinois

Education: I think I will be a college student for life. It’s been ten years so far, and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. In 2004 I received a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in Spanish, Latin American Studies and a certificate in Business from University of Wisconsin, Madison. In 2005, I achieved a Masters in International Public Affairs with a concentration in International Development from the La Follette School of Public Affairs at UW-Madison. In 2006 I attended the Nations 2 Nations Discipleship Training School with Youth with a Mission in Amsterdam. I am currently studying for a Masters in Christian Formation from North Park Theological Seminary.

About Me: I am an extrovert! I love meeting new people, traveling to new places, and learning new things! I love big cities, but living in them makes me appreciate the beauty of nature. I am passionate about education, and I believe that traveling and volunteering are very effective ways of learning about one’s self, others and the world. I fell in love with Jesus when I was 15 and I continue to be awed by the provision, power, compassion, and complexity of God. I enjoy walking the journey of faith alongside others, and I think University Ministries provides us with opportunities to do just that—Dream Big and Travel Together.

Interests: Traveling, theology and missions, international development, fashion, world music, local and organic food, reading novels, painting, photography and other art projects

Favorite Music: Adele, Jaimie Lidell, The Swell Season, Phoenix, Cougar, Spoon, John Legend, Vampire Weekend, and North Park’s Worship Bands with Steve Kelly

Favorite Movies:Thought provoking Movies and Documentaries: Crash, L'Auberge Espangole, Whale Rider, Frida, Slumdog Millionaire, Babel, The Visitor, Blood Diamond, Charlie Wilson’s War, The Motorcycle Diaries, Born into Brothels, Who Killed the Electric Car, For the Bible Tells Me So, No Impact Man, Trouble the Water, and Food Inc.

Favorite TV: TV can be a fun escape from daily reality, so right now I like Glee, Ugly Betty, and Gossip Girl.

Favorite Books:Here and Now by Henri Nouwen, Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri, When Helping Hurts-How to Alleviate Poverty without Hurting the Poor and Yourself by Corbett and Fikkert, Foreign to Familiar by Sarah Lanier Warrior Princess by Princess Kasune Zulu, Love is an Orientation by Andrew Marin, Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller.

Favorite Childhood Memory: Playing “Kick the Can” with my neighbors, putting on plays with my brother, playing soccer from age 6 to 14, road trips to Colorado and Florida with my family, and birthday parties

I'd Like to Meet: Barak Obama and Nelson Mandela are great leaders and I would love to meet them. I am also interested in meeting other leaders who are not so famous but are passionate about improving their community and the world.

Favorite Superhero Power: Teleportation and the ability to speak every language.