Karine Hargarten was born and raised in Normandy. She majored in translation, English and Japanese studies and graduated from INALCO (National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations) and Sorbonne Nouvelle University in Paris. In 1999, upon graduation, she left for Japan as a JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Programme participant. She first taught French and English in a senior high school in Chiba City, in the suburbs of Tokyo. After three years on the JET Programme, she taught one year in elementary and junior high schools. In 2003, she started working for the Chiba Prefecture Board of Education as an office assistant and as an assistant teacher in three different special needs schools. She taught English to children with various disabilities and diseases. Karine was also a volunteer in a French conversation club for adult members. During her stay in Japan, she enjoyed traveling throughout Asia and experiencing different cultures. She left Japan in July 2006 and relocated to San Francisco, California. She is currently involved in volunteer work; she is supporting an orphanage in Viet Nam and has just joined the IPP team as a volunteer translator.