About Me - Cross-Cultural Consultant

Hi, I’m Dr. Key

Intercultural Trainer & Cross-Cultural Consultant

“I was the girl who moved a lot, bouncing between schools and family homes. Little did I know that those experiences would show me how adaptable I could be, prepping me for a career where I’d teach others those adaptability skills!”

Hi, I’m Dr. Key

Intercultural Trainer & Cross-Cultural Consultant

Companies I've Worked With Over the Years

To help people thrive in new environments and achieve success through deeper cultural understanding.

Backstory

I was born in Pennsylvania to teenage parents. Growing up, I moved between different regions of my city, bouncing between schools and family members’ homes. Change and flexibility became second nature.

The first time I really noticed cultural differences was when I moved from the city to the suburbs in middle school. Suddenly, I was one of the few people in town who looked like me, but I adjusted pretty quickly. I became a first-chair clarinet player in the school band, helped break a track record with my relay team, was crowned Prom Queen, and even got nominated for homecoming court. Those experiences showed me how adaptable I could be, and I had no idea that my childhood was prepping me for a career where I’d teach others those adaptability skills!

During my undergrad, I stumbled into my college’s study abroad office, opening my eyes to study abroad and the international education field. I began helping international students adjust to life in the U.S., realizing that thier their struggles to fit in were not so different from my own growing up. I eventually took my passion to Japan, where I studied abroad for a semester; to China, where I taught English and US culture for two years; and eventually completed my doctorate in higher education management with a specialization in international education.

Now, I train others on what sparked my journey and how to successfully engage in multicultural spaces. Through my company, URep Abroad LLC, I promote cross-cultural understanding, design cultural exchange programs, and provide support for global organizations needing affordability.

Backstory

The person behind the speaker

When I’m not working, I’m a wife and a proud cat mom. I love sharing my travel experiences to show others that the world isn’t such a scary place and that each cultural interaction is key to bringing people closer together.

These days, you can find me at home making social media content, binge-watching anime and K-dramas, and inspiring people to get out there and explore the world.

The person behind the speaker

These days, you can find me at home making social media content, binge-watching anime and K-dramas, and inspiring people to get out there and explore the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Dr. Key do?

Dr. Key is an intercultural consultant, cross-cultural trainer, program developer, and content creator. She teaches and develops resources on intercultural communication and cultural competency through her company, URep Abroad.

Where is Dr. Key based?

She is based in Los Angeles, California, where she runs URep Abroad programs and records her content from her home studio.

What is URep Abroad?

URep Abroad (urepabroad.com) is Dr. Key’s company to help leaders, educators, and students prepare for international engagement through training, events, lectures, and collaborations.

How can I follow Dr. Key?

Dr. Key shares free cross-cultural resources on social media. You can find her as @urepdrkey on YouTube, TikTok, and Substack, and as @urepabroad on Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, Threads, and LinkedIn. She has an audience reach of over 10,000 across these platforms.