Meet Josh!
Josh first graced Indochine during the summer of 2008. His resume was so long, and so exotic, that we just had to bring him in for an interview. From his description, Josh was worldly, educated, experienced, dashing, and handsome. (We really only cared about the last two, but the others were definitely a bonus.)

For sure though, even before his interview, the other male servers were running scared making up reasons why we shouldn’t hire him. For example, Wes said, ‘I know he can’t speak Spanish as well as I do…’, and Allan said, ‘can he play the guitar’? Funny though, the girls at Indochine all seemed to think he was a good candidate.

He was such a controversial candidate that we had to recruit Ly to interview him. Ly was duly impressed. Apparently he wasn’t just showing off on his resume, his claims were true and he could back them up; even if he couldn’t speak Spanish as well as Wes or play Folk Guitar.

When it came time to work, we realized that Josh’s capabilities were even greater than his resume let on! Josh just works and works and works the entire time he is at Indochine, he just does such a great job.

In Josh's Words
Experiencing the world in all its languages, cultures, and complexity has been a driving force in my life ever since my first trip to live and study abroad in London in 2001. I spent the fall of 2001 at the University of Westminster in northwest London taking classes in media and globalization as well as working an internship in public relations in Oxford Circus. Experiencing 9/11 through the unique prism of being an American in Europe was quite an experience, particularly since I was amongst a University student body more ethnically diverse than anything I'd ever experienced.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Communication from local Pacific Lutheran University in 2003 I set off for Valencia, Spain. There I taught English and spent an entire of the year doing all I could to learn Spanish. I lived with local Valencians and spent most of my time with Spanish friends I had met at the University in London. In reality, my daily routine was pretty sweet in Valencia as I only worked between 15-20 hours a week at a local tutoring center. Thus, I had plenty of time to ride my bike through the orange orchards skirting the city, studying Spanish and float in the salty Mediterranean that was only a 10 minute walk from my flat.

I returned to the U.S. to work in development for the American Red Cross of Snohomish County, until the end of 2006. Working for the American Red Cross gave me a trenchant view of development on a micro or community level. Our fundraising and disaster preparation initiatives required overlapping efforts of community education and awareness. Important partnerships were built between local business leaders, elected officials and the organizations like the American Red Cross. My next destination turned out to be my most exciting ever: India.

Josh: International Corporate Consultant of Mystery
I worked as a consultant on corporate social responsibility (CSR) for the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for a year and a half, taking up residence in New Delhi and traveling throughout the subcontinent, from the Himalayas of Kashmir in the north to the tropical beaches and rural villages of the south. India is a fascinating place to be in the CSR field because as Indian Industry grows it grapples with fundamental questions about sustainability. Of particular concern is the impact of growth on the environment and on local communities. The challenge is growth in business interests while maintaining its responsibility to the environment and to communitites.

Although it was my saddest return trip ever, coming to work at Indochine, and a visit from my Indonesian girl friend Putu, truly added highlights to the summer of 2008! Indochine has been a blast this past year; I made lots and lots of great new friends, not to mention I began to learn the basics between good and bad sakes, how to make a memorable Mojito, and the tricks to carrying a platter teeming with cocktails and pints (it's all in the fingers).

Throughout the past year while working at the restaurant I have had time to apply to graduate schools. I applied to six of the nation’s top programs in International Affairs. During the Fall of 2008 in fact, I traveled to the east coast to visit the campuses and meet the Department Chairs. Of the six I applied to, I was offered formal admission to four of these and waitlisted at the other two. I picked George Washington University in Washington, D.C. as it offered a Global Communication and International Development degree that aligned closest with my interests. Furthermore, the opportunity to live and study in the nation’s capital was an opportunity that is truly wonderful.

Josh's South American Adventure
Once my admission paperwork was submitted, it was time again to satisfy my urges to travel, this time to South America! This wondrous trip, lasting nearly three months and spanning four countries: Peru, Bolivia, Columbia, and Ecuador, was highlighted by meeting Ecuador's President Correa in a movie theatre in Quito, witnessing intense indigenous protests in southern Peru and hiking to the magical city of Machu Picchu in the Peruvian jungle.

Josh's Promotion
Aside from Josh’s promotion from Waiter to Graduate Student, we want you to celebrate Josh’s successes and ambitions with a Promotion of your own. Tell your server that Josh told you he may yet travel to the ‘Black Sea’, and instantly receive 15% off that dish from the House Speciality section of our menu!