Click to view Global Ambassadors from each program:
- Discovery Florence Global Ambassadors
- Discovery Madrid Global Ambassadors
- Discovery Strasbourg Global Ambassadors
Discovery Florence
Name: Thomas Watson ’26
Major: Environmental Sustainability and Policy
Semester Abroad: Florence Fall 2022
What advice would you give to a Discovery student? If they are on the fence they should go for it. You never know when you’ll have another opportunity to travel around Europe, and may never be able to while surrounded by other college aged students. If you decide not to go you will also never know what you might have missed out on.
Contact: tcwatson@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, Meeting locals
Name: Mikah Bein ’26
Major: International Relations
Semester Abroad: Florence Fall 2022
What was your most valuable experience abroad? I truly enjoyed living with a host parent. Not only was I saving large amounts of money, I connected with a local which sometimes could be difficult if you tend to surround your social life with other Americans. Living with a host family allows you to have inside on the local spots, and best places in town. Spending the first weekend with my host grandmother she showed out Piazza Di Michelangelo and took us to the church she got married and proceeded to tell my roommate and I stories of her late husband.
Contact: mibien@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Allergies & dietary needs, Cultural Immersion, Financing study away, First time abroad, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Health, safety, and support, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity, Selecting a program option
Name: Nathan Bobeck ’26
Major: Undeclared
Semester Abroad: Florence Fall 2022
What would you say to a student undecided about studying abroad? Do it! It will only benefit you, especially if you are unsure of what you want to do in school or in life.
Contact: mibien@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, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Name: Sarah Schreiber ’26
Major: International Relations
Semester Abroad: Florence Fall 2022
What advice would you give to a Discovery student? I would talk to them about living with a language barrier and encourage them to learn as much of the language as they can while they’re there because it’s such a useful skill and the best place to learn a language is the home country. They can meet so many more people and have a much more enjoyable, authentic experience. On that note, I would encourage them to travel within their host country instead of city hopping throughout Europe. Getting to know different parts of the country creates a richer experience, allows practice for language development, and makes you feel like you really got to know the country you studied in as well as create deeper connections with the country and the people there.
Contact: sischrei@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, 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: Junyi Liu ’26
Major: Information Management & Technology
Semester Abroad: Florence Fall 2022
What advice would you give to a Discovery student? Get out of your comfort zone and EXPLORE! Sometimes, having an amazing time can be the difference of walking downtown or staying at your dorm. It is understandable that it can be quite overwhelming being placed in a foreign country with different cultures. However, it is important to explore as much as possible because that is what makes your trip memorable. You never want to leave the country with pity that you didn’t explore enough.
Contact: jliu295@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family
Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity
Name: Ella Roerden ’27
Major: Anthropology
Semester Abroad: Florence Fall 2023
What advice would you give to a Discovery student? Honestly, my internship helping teach English at an Italian elementary school was truly valuable to me. It helped with Italian language and cultural immersion (as did living with a host family!), and was something I looked forward to every week. I created really strong bonds with the kids, and will cherish that experience always. Live with a host family, it was one of the best parts of my semester.
Contact: ebroerde@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, First time abroad, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Religious life
Discovery Madrid
Name: Gianna Frank ’26
Major: Neuroscience/Biology
Semester Abroad: Madrid Fall 2022
What was your most valuable experience abroad? The most unforgettable experience in Madrid was our Discovery program trip to Leon and Burgos. On this weekend trip we explored caves, mountains and underground mines. This was an amazing experience because I had never been to a mountain chain like this one before. This trip was truly unforgettable because I will probably never be able to experience something like this again.
Contact: gtfrank@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, Living with a host family, Preparing for departure
Name: Abdalla Shamil ’26
Major: Biochemistry
Semester Abroad: Madrid Fall 2022
What was your most unforgettable experience abroad? I would say the most unforgettable and valuable experience would be the trip to Granada that I took with my friends because it had cultural significance to me especially with the Muslim influence and Arab influence from Morocco. On that trip, I also felt like I connected with that group of people and made some lifelong connections with them. From seeing the Alhambra, to walking the Jewish quarter, buying and bargaining in Moroccan markets, drinking teas in teterias and having some amazing Spanish and even Arab food were just amazing experiences that I will never forget. It was such good mix between my own identity as an Arab Muslim and being a student in my host country of Spain and I will never forget that.
Contact: awshamil@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, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity, Religious life, Selecting a program option
Name: Rylee Smith ’26
Major: Environmental Engineering
Semester Abroad: Madrid Fall 2022
What advice would you give to a Discovery student? Do not overpack and try to have a general base knowledge of Spanish. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there because it’s okay to try and you will no matter what, find someone who you can genuinely vibe with by just being yourself.
Contact: rsmith57@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, First time abroad, LGBTQ+, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure
Name: Gabriella Terry ’26
Major: Environmental Engineering
Semester Abroad: Madrid Fall 2022
What advice would you give to a Discovery student? My advice would be to do some research on the country you are going to be staying in in terms of places you want to visit whether that be cities, shops, restaurants, etc. and possibly have a list to check off so that you don’t miss a thing while you are there. I’d also recommend that when you are there you get as much out of your comfort zone as you can and try every new thing and opportunity that comes your way especially if those activities involve the culture and people you are surrounded by. Additionally on a smaller scale, I would say to definitely to pack light as you are going to want to buy a lot of items when you arrive and throughout your entire semester there.
Contact: gaterry@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Race & Ethnicity, Allergies & dietary needs, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, First time abroad, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Living with a host family
Name: Isabela Morales ’26
Major: Biology/ Forensic Science
Semester Abroad: Madrid Fall 2022
What advice would you give to a Discovery student? I was thrust into a new country, a new culture, a new everything and it was fantastic. I learned how to navigate the metros and buses, which cafes would become my favorites, and the best restaurants that remind me of home. The school took us on trips all over Spain and I had the privilege of experiencing the many different cultures within Spain. I saw some of the most beautiful cathedrals and architecture in general. But most importantly I learned a lot about myself. I allowed myself to be spontaneous on a bus across Valencia. Studying abroad was truly a life changing experience that I will never forget.
Contact: idmorale@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, Financing study away, First time abroad, Health, safety, and support, LGBTQ+, Race & Ethnicity
Name: Isabelle Rodriguez ’26
Major: Political Science, History of Architecture minor
Semester Abroad: Madrid Fall 2022
What was your most valuable experience abroad? Spending time with my host siblings was my most valuable experience in my host country. I’ve always wanted younger siblings as I am the youngest and this experience gave me a taste of what it feels like. There were three kids, two boys and one girl. I can remember sitting at the dinner table and talking to them about their day and the types of food or music we liked. My favorite was the little girl Angela. She loved using Snapchat filters and we would play around with them and take funny photos. She also loved the song Despechá by Rosalia and there was a dance going round on TikTok, so I would play it for her and we both learned the dance. Hanging out with my host family, especially at the dinner table, was my favorite.
Contact: irodri13@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Religious life, Adjusting to a foreign language, Culture shock / Homesickness, First time abroad, Living with a host family
Name: Miles Scherer ’27
Major: Environmental Sustainability & Policy and International Relations
Semester Abroad: Madrid Fall 2023
What would you say to a student undecided about studying abroad? It’s simple. Say “YES!” As I said in my previous answer above, the best of experiences come when we force ourselves outside of our comfort zones. Even the consideration of going abroad is a testament to bravery and a curiosity just begging to be fed. There is nothing more rewarding and fulfilling than allowing that curiosity to flourish and having experiences that push the boundaries of our thought processes to their brink.
Contact: moschere@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, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Health, safety, and support, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Discovery Strasbourg
Name: Olivia Fried ’26
Major: International Relations
Semester Abroad: Strasbourg Fall 2022
What advice would you give a Discovery student? I would say that the most important advice I could give would be to fully embrace everything that’s there. And I know that’s incredibly open-ended but I say that purposefully. Taking advantage of opportunities given to you is one part of that; when the school plans activities and trips, always go because they are planned carefully for your benefit and for you to take advantage of. And no matter what they seem like at the outset, go into them with an open mind. You never know what it could be like It also means creating your own opportunities though.
Contact: oefried@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, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Health, safety, and support, Living with a host family, Preparing for departure
Name: Pyper Hazen-Astleford ’26
Major: Forensic Science
Semester Abroad: Strasbourg Fall 2022
What advice would you give a Discovery student? Don’t be afraid to immerse yourself in the culture and try EVERYTHING!!! People are going to ask you questions about your travel and if you tried certain things and you don’t want to be THAT person who said, “No, I was afraid to try it”. That includes FOOD!
Contact: pghazena@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Allergies & dietary needs, Culture shock / Homesickness, First time abroad, Living with a host family
Name: Sophy Ingram ’26
Major: Undecided
Semester Abroad: Strasbourg Fall 2022
What advice would you give a Discovery student? Go on as many of the school trips as possible! They are a great opportunity to build new friendships with the other students. Spend time with your host family, if you have one, they are there to help you succeed. If you have any issues or just want some recommendations, ask the staff. They really are there to help you and they are amazing. I know that being abroad is super exciting, and you may want to travel as much as you can, but always try to be mindful of the effect it may be taking on your body, and maybe take a weekend away from traveling to rest a bit and explore the beautiful city that you are in.
Contact: singram@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, 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: Daniel Morozov ’26
Major: Biochemistry
Semester Abroad: Strasbourg Fall 2022
What advice would you give a Discovery student? Do not be afraid to go out of your comfort zone, this will most likely happen with friend groups. Especially for Discovery students, such as myself, making friends can be difficult but the SU Center is incredibly helpful in creating activities/trips that help students bond, so go to these events!
Contact: dpmorozo@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Living with a host family, Selecting a program option
Name: Sean Thompson ’27
Major: Sociology
Semester Abroad: Strasbourg Fall 2023
What was your most valuable experience as a Discovery student? My most valuable experience abroad would be my internship at Les Pinsons (private elementary/middle school) where I worked alongside an English teacher. I had an amazing time learning about an entirely different school system (which was Finnish), I got to examine the behavior of young French students and their behavior, and learn more about the culture and city around me, whilst being able to shed knowledge on the culture of the United States and the English language. The children were friendly towards me and interactive, and the teachers were sociable and influential in terms of seeing genuine interactions in France when they had spoken with either the students, each other, or myself. I took a lot away from the school and considered it one of my most unique experiences in my life with the relation of both the positives and negatives of it.
Contact: sthomp26@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, LGBTQ+, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity