Homegrown in a culturally diverse corner of Antwerpen (Belgium) par excellence, Michaela first did Arabic & Middle Eastern Studies in Ghent, and then proceeded to Damascus, where she further fine-tuned her language and culture awareness skills at Damascus University, The British Council, and other institutions. Later, she went for additional MA degrees in Education and Arts Management – and hence moved to Muscat (Sultanate of Oman) to be a member of the Nawras (Omani Qatari Telecommunications Company) launch team.

For the last decade, under the banner of Beyond Borders Training & Consultancy, Michaela has excelled as a  training developer, appilications wizzard and technical trainer at a variety of clients in Belgium, Norway, France, the Middle East and more.

With Francis Laleman she established Bayt al-Andalus, an intercultural venue in Antwerpen (Belgium), at which she develops, organises and presents intercultural seminars and concerts. Although she joined Dunya mainly as its Arab World expert, her frequent work and life experience in India has proven to be an additional asset to the organisation.

Michaela plays the viol (viole de gambe), sings, and did a Bharatanatyam master class with Komala Varadan, one of India's most renowned performing artists. She is married, and between her frequent assignments abroad, lives in Antwerpen (Belgium) with her husband and daughter Amalya.