Meet Kristen Costa.

Q: What inspired you or led you to your current career?

A: After high school, I’m going to Illinois College to study Spanish Education. I love the language and culture so I am so excited to learn more and teach others. My Spanish teacher, Señor Sutton, really inspired me to teach.

Q: How long have you lived or worked in Champaign-Urbana?

A: I’ve lived in or around the CU for all but one year of my life.

Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Champaign-Urbana?

A: Seven Saints.

Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Champaign-Urbana?

A: Katie Wiruk and Olivia Nelshoppen, my crazy best friends.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?

A: I would want to travel to Europe and travel through lots of the countries and cities there. To be specific, Germany, Spain, France, and Italy.

Q: What advice would you give to a crowd of people?

A: Appreciate what you have while you have it, because you don’t know how you’ll feel when it’s gone.

Q: What is something on your bucket list?

A: I have always wanted to study abroad in Spain.

Q: What current/former local business makes you nostalgic about Champaign-Urbana?

A: The Assembly Hall (State Farm Center) holds a lot of good memories for me with my family and friends.

Q: What is something unique about Champaign-Urbana?

A: Having a large university in the smack middle of both towns brings a lot of things to do and diversity. It’s a really different experience than most towns have. I think we take it for granted sometimes.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?

A: In five to ten years I will be graduated from college and set up in a teaching job. Hopefully, I’ll be married and baking lots of cookies on my days off.

Q: (Even for friends and family) what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you ?

A: Most people don’t know that I am obsessed with studies of criminals/killers. I’ve watched a lot of documentaries and things about them and it’s so twisted you just can’t turn your eyes away.

Q: What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?

A: The three most important F’s: Family, Friends, and Food.

Q: If you have a full time staff member that was fully paid for, who would you choose? Chef, Housekeeper, Driver, Coach, Physical Fitness Trainer, or Nanny?

A: I would want a Chef. I love to bake, but not as much to cook.

Q: Over the past few weeks, where have you seen Champaign-Urbana “Stronger Together”?

A: I love seeing the hearts on people’s windows, the sidewalk chalk, and Easter decorations. Communities are coming together during this time, attempting to brighten the streets during this dark time.