Life after college is one big blur. After obtaining degrees, students prepare to experience the world outside the university setting.

For Jeanette Biava, a secretary for the College of Business, post-college experiences broadened her view of the world and of culture. Biava brings new meaning to the phrase “globe-trotter” and proves rounding oneself with diverse interests makes life much more fulfilling.

“My first degree is in English,” Biava said. “Later on, I decided to study Russian. I took a couple of Russian history classes first. That clinched it.”

Russian is a difficult language. With six forms and no resemblance to the Germanic structure English speakers recognize, Biava’s interest in the Slavic tongue is surprising.

“I wanted to be more of an expert on one country,” Biava said. “I have been away from it for a while, but when I took the language, the professor told me I wrote better than most Russians. I don’t speak Russian very well, but I can read it to an extent.”

The NIU graduate is also an active supporter of various Chicago art venues. Although her only personal venture into the performing arts was as a clarinet player in grade school, Biava appreciates quality performance.

“I have a series subscription to the Chicago Symphony and go to the Lyric Opera at least once a year,” Biava said. “With the Joffrey [Ballet], a marketing person called me, wanting me to subscribe. One of the pieces they’re doing is ‘Romeo and Juliet.’ They did it a few years ago and I missed it. I can’t miss this one because it might not happen again.”

When not working at NIU or enjoying the arts, Biava travels. For Biava, traveling is a lifestyle.

Marketing professor Rick Ridnour is a colleague of Biava’s.

“One of the things I respect about Jeanette is she has an incredible interest in learning about different cultures,” Ridnour said. “She has discovered the best way is to travel and experience first-handedly cultures of the world.”

After catching the travel bug on a school trip to Spain, Biava ventured to places such as France and Italy and visited Turkey three times. Utilizing her undergraduate work, Biava travelled to Russia.

“If you are directionally challenged, Russia is not a good place to go,” Biava said. “We were there during the White Nights, when there is daylight all the time. We were leaving Kiji Island, and it was 10 or 11 o’clock at night and we were looking at where the sun is for the time. The sun was not on our west, it was to the north. So if you’re trying to figure out what direction you’re going, it’s very confusing.”

Steven Johnson, a travel consultant with Carder Travel, 2410 Sycamore Road, insists Biava’s studies made her an asset to the travel community.

“She was a wonderful resource to the group,” Johnson said of the Russian trip. “She’s more than just a tourist. She talks to the people, gets to know them, sees how they live, how they eat. She participates.”

Biava’s most memorable moment comes from her recent trip to Vietnam and Cambodia.

“We were in Cambodia, in Angkor,” Biava said. “I sprained my ankle in the most interesting way. On day six of our 14-day trip, I tripped inside a temple. It swelled from the toes to my knee. I missed one day of touring. I had a flip-flop on my left leg and a regular shoe on the other. It was rather uneven walking, but I had 20 wonderful people with me. I’m still dealing with it. I’m going to physical therapy.”

Not inhibited by her injury, Biava is looking forward to her next excursion.

“Over New Year’s, I’ll be going to Tunisia to ride a camel across the Sahara, see an oasis or two, walk along the Mediterranean,” Biava said. “I think this will be a really cool trip.”