From Dutiful Daughter to Cultural Bridge I’m the child of Greek immigrants, raised in the US, fluent in code-switching before I had a name for it. I’ve lived across three continents and six countries. I’ve been translating between worlds my entire life. I was a good daughter, a good student, and a committed educator, but Maria Stenos: Greek diaspora educator and life transition guide. ICF-accredited coach specialising in cross-cultural identity, chronic illness navigation, and neurodivergent life design. 15 years experience in international education.

From Dutiful Daughter to Cultural Bridge

I’m the child of Greek immigrants, raised in the US, fluent in code-switching before I had a name for it. I’ve lived across three continents and six countries. I’ve been translating between worlds my entire life.

I was a good daughter, a good student, and a committed educator, but stretched too thin by living in a way that didn’t suit my body, mind, or emotional reality. At 29 I said goodbye to the life I knew to discover who I could become outside of the comfort of my home, upbringing, and familiar structures.

What I’ve Learned & How I Apply It

I’ve learned how to balance communal and individualistic cultures. I’ve built a life with a partner from a different country. I’ve navigated chronic illness across healthcare systems, advocated for myself when dismissed, and learned how to maintain boundaries during crisis and transition.

I draw on parts work, somatic, and reflective practices to design systems that work with a neurodivergent brain, communicate across cultural frameworks, and honour a sensitive nervous system rather than fighting it.

My Professional Foundation

As an ESL and academic skills instructor, I’ve worked with students from dozens of countries across three continents, supporting them in unfamiliar academic and professional environments.

My work in education and my ICF-accredited coaching training allow me to adapt communication styles, create psychologically safe spaces, and support sustainable growth. I don’t offer quick fixes. I offer clarity, orientation, and a grounded sense of being understood.

Education & Training

Vocational Coaching Diploma, The International Coach Academy
Master’s of Arts in Linguistics & Teaching English as a Second Language, California State University, Northridge
Bachelor’s degree in Classical Literature, The University of California, Santa Cruz
Currently completing: ADHD Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP) Online Certification Course: PESI UK

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I use the term coach for searchability, but my work is rooted in education, mutual learning, and companionship. I don’t position myself as an authority over others’ lives. I walk alongside clients as a guide through liminal terrain. This work welcomes people of all genders, sexualities, and cultural backgrounds. If you’re navigating complexity, you belong here.