About Language & Friendship

Language & Friendship, Inc. has a staff with more than 100 years of combined experience in intercultural and educational programs. The benefits of this expertise are reflected in the high-quality service provided.

Meet the L&F Staff

Naomi Thomsen, Founder of Language & Friendship

Educational travel abroad was a passion for Naomi, who created Language & Friendship, Inc. The daughter of missionaries, she grew up in Madagascar. She received her teaching degree and her Master's in French, worked at Concordia’s Language Villages, led for the Experiment in International Living, and taught in St. Paul, MN before getting into student travel. After 16 years of directing French programs for other organizations, she created L&F in 1988. In May 2004, the French government awarded Naomi the prestigious honor of Chevalier dans l’ordre des Palmes Académiques in recognition of her work. Naomi passed away in 2004, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Her spirit of optimism and determination will always be the inspiration and driving force behind Language & Friendship.

Liane Mattson, Director & Coordinator of Programs to France & Québec

After her first program abroad through Concordia College, she knew she wanted to share the excitement of experiencing another language and culture. She has a double major in French and biology, worked at Concordia’s Language Villages several summers and weekends, and during her years of teaching led students abroad several times. Before joining Language & Friendship, she was the National Director of Nacel Cultural Exchanges, organizing programs in France, Germany and Spain. She is passionate about encouraging families to be involved in language education and about promoting opportunities for people to learn about other cultures. In addition to many trips to France and Spain, Liane has traveled in Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Morocco, Romania, Russia and Turkey. She and her husband have three children who all love travel, music and sports.

Laurence Gallarato, Coordinator of Programs to France & Martinique

A French native, Laurence grew up in Paris and lived there since 1980. She now loves to go back "home" to visit her family in the beautiful regions of Bordeaux and Bearn. After studying in Bordeaux with a double major in History/Arts/Geography and Tourism, she worked as a tour guide in Europe before moving to the U.S about 30 years ago. She has been a teacher, and for many years, has organized family-stay programs and itineraries in France, cultivating a better understanding of cultures for American students and instilling in them a love for her country. She loves to travel herself and some of her favorite destinations (besides France, of course!) have been Greece, Ireland, Italy and Mexico.

Rachel Underwood, Coordinator of Programs to Spain, Costa Rica & Argentina

Rachel had her first experience with Spanish at age 17 as an AFS student in Argentina. While she could only conjugate in present tense, she fell in love with the language and decided to major in Spanish. During her studies at the University of St. Thomas in MN, she spent her junior year abroad at the University of Granada. She returns to Spain often to visit her host family and friends. She taught high school Spanish for several years and led students on programs to Costa Rica, Spain, Mexico and also on mission trips. Rachel loves to explore new places both locally and abroad and especially loves immersing herself with the locals and their food!

Barbara Keenan, Coordinator of Hosting Programs

Barbara’s love of languages started in junior high with a German class, which she continued throughout high school and into college. She also added Spanish as a student at the University of St. Thomas in MN, where she enjoyed her junior year abroad in Granada, Spain. After teaching Spanish and leading her own student groups to Mexico, she moved to Japan to teach English. She’s since worked in marketing and sales for a foreign language textbook publisher and moved back to Minnesota after living in Southern California. Barbara has hosted students and leaders and loves creating international friendships.

Julie Dunlop, Program Assistant

Languages and cultures have been both a passion and a fascination for Julie. Having moved around while growing up, both throughout the United States and abroad, she appreciates the importance of understanding other people and their cultures. Her love of languages has led her to study French, Latin, German and Russian, and she is trying to teach herself Spanish! Julie has a major in French and teaching with a concentration in business from The College of St. Catherine and holds a Master’s in Education. She studied in Paris during her junior year and lived with a French family during that time. She has taught at Concordia’s Language Villages and has led groups to France. Julie is married and has two daughters. Her family has hosted several times and her older daughter has participated in L&F’s program to France.

Cristina Sturm, Program Assistant

Cristina joins us after a decade of teaching French in Rosemount, MN and tens of thousands of travel miles under her belt. Of Italian and French heritage, Cristina was born and raised in the Middle-East. She learned several languages early on and graduated from the French educational system with her Baccalauréat. She holds a bachelor degree in French, a Teaching Certification, and a Master of Arts in Education.  Since childhood, Cristina has traveled extensively through Europe, around the Mediterranean, and in the United States. She and her husband have three sons who participated in four L&F programs to France. She has led several L&F programs with students and one with adults.

Liz Horstman, Accountant

First introduced to Language & Friendship by her friend and neighbor Naomi Thomsen, Liz (a CPA by trade) has worked as the accountant for L&F for the past 12 years. While living in England, Liz's family traveled through Europe particularly enjoying the Loire Valley. As a result she is still trying to master the French language! Liz and her husband have three children. Liz’s older son recently spent a semester in Spain and her daughter, who has taught for the past two summers at Concordia Language Villages and is a college student majoring in Spanish and Turkish, has traveled to Argentina and Spain. Liz's family has also enjoyed hosting students from Spain.

Kari Vacura, Registrar

Kari’s first taste of international travel came during a multi-country European tour during a summer break in college. She has since returned to Europe twice, most recently spending two weeks in France exploring Paris and the Languedoc-Roussillon region with her family. Kari has a bachelor’s degree in Management from Hamline University. Kari enjoys volunteer work with a variety of organizations and loves to entertain, read, and plan family vacations.