Name: Ella Brann ’27
Major: Public Relations
Semester Abroad: Fall 2025
What was your most memorable experience abroad? My most unforgettable experience abroad in Strasbourg was the opening of the Christmas markets. Quaint, quiet Strasbourg turned lively and festive with the start of the Christmas market season and it was so new and magical. I enjoyed walking around the city I had spent a semester getting to know and experiencing all of the different markets in the different places. I loved exploring all the stands to find souvenir gifts for my family and friends and treating myself to treats like mulled wine and small souvenirs for myself. Additionally, these markets were an opportunity to practice French and celebrate how far I’d come in my French comprehension throughout the semester. Speaking in French with the merchants and then being able to support their small businesses was such a valuable and full circle experience to end my semester abroad.
Contact: esbrann@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Allergies & dietary needs, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, Financing study away, Living with a host family, Preparing for departure
Name: Chloe Goldberg ’27
Major: International Relations
Semester Abroad: Fall 2024
What was your most memorable experience abroad? My homestay was a huge part of making my study abroad experience so enjoyable! From the very first day of the program, my host mom was incredibly kind and made me feel so welcomed and cared for. Being able to share a host family with another Syracuse student was also an amazing opportunity! It was comforting to live with someone else who was also navigating Strasbourg and French culture for the first time, and to have a friend to study and explore with. I always looked forward to dinner, when we would spend time practicing French and bonding with our host mom by talking about our days. Living in a homestay truly helped me feel at home in a foreign city.
Contact: cmgoldbe@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, Living with a host family, Preparing for departure
Name: Faith Alvey ‘28
Major: Biology and Forensic Science
Semester Abroad: Fall 2024 (Discovery)
What was your most valuable experience abroad? My most valuable experience in France was meeting locals and learning a true sense of the culture. I met many new friends around my age who showed me the city and told me all there was to know about it. I now have these connections and friendships for years to come and I feel I spent my time right studying abroad. I was able to have fun while also learning and engaging with the culture.
Contact: fmalvey@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, Financing study away, First time abroad, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Health, safety, and support, LGBTQ+, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Name: Julia Raass ‘28
Major: English and Textual Studies
Semester Abroad: Fall 2024 (Discovery)
What advice would you give to a student undecided about studying abroad? If you’re considering studying abroad, my best advice is to fully embrace the language and immerse yourself in the food culture of your host country. Language is more than just a tool for communication—it’s the gateway to understanding the deeper layers of culture, humor, history, and daily life. Make an effort to learn the language, even if it’s just a few phrases at first, as it will open doors to authentic connections and experiences. And don’t underestimate the power of food! Eating your way through a new culture is one of the most rewarding ways to understand its traditions and values. Each meal tells a story, whether it’s a simple street food or a multi-course dinner, and sharing meals with locals will help you bond and feel like you’re truly part of the community. Embrace every bite and every word; both will enrich your experience in ways you’ll never forget.
Contact: jaraass@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Allergies & dietary needs, Cultural Immersion, First time abroad, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, LGBTQ+, Living with a host family, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity
Name: Helena Sauriat ‘28
Major: Anthropology
Semester Abroad: Fall 2024 (Discovery)
What was your most valuable experience abroad? Being able to immerse myself was very rewarding. I don’t often get the chance to go back to France to visit my family and be surrounded by my culture, so to be living there for close to four months was amazing. I got to experience a new side to French culture as well, as Alsace is so unique in its own way, being on the German border. Since I was a discovery student, it was my first time away from my friends and away from peers who i can automatically relate to just because of my environment. Being placed in such a small group led me to make profound connections I probably wouldn’t have made on campus, and I will always remember the conversations I had with people so different from me.
Contact: hrsauria@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, Financing study away, First time abroad, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Health, safety, and support, Living with a host family, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Name: Rachael Dubrow ‘28
Major: Environment, Sustainability, and Policy
Semester Abroad: Fall 2024 (Discovery)
What was your most valuable experience abroad? My most unforgettable experience in my host country was having a traditional aperitif with my philosophy class towards the end of the semester. We had a small and tight knit class of only 8 first-years, which made it easier to create a welcoming and intimate atmosphere. We enjoyed traditional cheese, bread, and drinks while discussing philosophical questions in a circle. It was the perfect way to end the class and lead to bittersweet end of the semester.
Contact: redubrow@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, Financing study away, First time abroad, Living with a host family, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Name: Cheryl Smith ‘28
Major: Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering
Semester Abroad: Fall 2024 (Discovery)
What was your most valuable experience abroad? Orientation week was by far my favorite part of the whole semester. During orientation week, we did a short tour to countries near Strasbourg. I was able to meet everyone in my program during that period. The program mixed us up regularly, so we weren’t confined to a small group of people within the program. By doing this, I was able to get to know many people in my program on a deeper level. This strengthened the bond between all of us. By the end of the trip, I felt like they were my family.
Orientation week made Strasbourg’s experience 100 times better. The close bonds I had with my peers allowed me to experience.
Contact: csmit202@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Allergies & dietary needs, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, Disability resources, Financing study away, First time abroad, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Health, safety, and support, LGBTQ+, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity, Religious life, Selecting a program option
Name: Mahima Pugazendhi ‘28
Major: Art History
Semester Abroad: Fall 2024 (Discovery)
What was your most valuable experience abroad? My most valuable experience in my host country was participating in my internship abroad. I interned at an art gallery in France. This experience helped me immensely as it reminded me of why I decided to study Art History and made me fall in love with my subject even more. I was able to do a lot of work that I aspired to do in the future as a freshman which was an amazing opportunity for me. I learned so much about the artists my boss showcased as well as how running a gallery works. To me, this was one of the best cultural immersions I could have asked for.
Contact: mspugaze@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, First time abroad, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity
Name: Marion Patsalides ’28
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Semester Abroad: Fall 2025
What advice would you give to a student studying abroad? I would advise a student going abroad that traveling around is wonderful and exciting, but that they should stay and experience their chosen city for a good portion of their time. I feel that the weekends I chose to stay in Strasbourg instead of traveling farther contributed to the wonderful connection I now feel to Strasbourg.
Contact: mpatsali@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Health, safety, and support, Living with a host family, Preparing for departure, Religious life, Selecting a program option