Click to view Global Ambassadors from each program:
- Discovery Florence Global Ambassadors
- Discovery Madrid Global Ambassadors
- Discovery Strasbourg Global Ambassadors
Discovery Florence
Name: Aurora Cody ’23
Major: International Relations, Italian
Semester Abroad: Florence Fall 2019
What did you wish you had known before going abroad? I wish I had listened when I was told not to overpack. I brought so much stuff I didn’t wear, which was a waste of space and money trying to bring home again. Your suitcase should not be full going abroad, because you need to leave room for everything you’re going to buy! Toiletries are available in Italy, you don’t need to waste weight bringing them. I bought so many clothes and gifts that I had to get an extra suitcase to being everything home, which can get expensive.
Contact: ajcody@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Meeting locals, Adjusting to a foreign language, Allergies & dietary needs, Living with a host family
Name: Bailey Davis ’23
Major: International Relations, Environmental Sustainability & Policy
Semester Abroad: Florence Fall 2019
What did you wish you had known before going abroad? I really wish I would’ve known about taking classes at the University of Firenze, one of the many universities SU partners with abroad. I think that this is very useful in the sense that these partnerships offer a wider range of classes to choose from, and a different educational perspective.
Contact: bldavis@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: Rocio (Pondi) Carrero ’23
Major: Environmental and Interior Design
Semester Abroad: Florence Fall 2018
What was your most valuable experience abroad? Living with a host family and feeling like I was just another member of their family. I also really loved traveling and discovering new places with friends.
Contact: rcarrero@syr.edu
Name: Dayel Pope ’23
Major: Political Science
Semester Abroad: Florence Fall 2019
What was your most valuable experience abroad? My most unforgettable experience in Italy would have to be visiting Rome. I remember being in awe of the city’s beauty and spending the day visiting as many sights as possible. The Colosseum was my first stop and the structure itself commanded my attention, when I arrived at the top and looked on the remains and I was aware of the history around me and grateful for the preservation of this site. Next we visited Peters Basilica and I was able to stand in the Sistine Chapel. From the time I entered the basilica to the time I left I was surrounded in art. The beauty of it all was astounding and I will never forget how it felt standing underneath all the masterpieces.
Contact: dpope01@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, Health, safety, and support, Living with a host family, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity, Religious life, Selecting a program option
Name: Athena Root ’25
Major: Neuroscience, Arts and Sciences
Semester Abroad: Florence Fall 2021
What was your most valuable experience abroad? The cultural boundary made things feel very isolating at times. However, the more time I spent in Florence, the more I began to navigate the cultural differences. Slowly, I began to pick up some Italian language, and eventually I came out of my shell to interact with my peers. Studying in Italy changed my perspective on the world as the home-sickness made me appreciate the U.S. more but, I also became even more excited to travel abroad again someday.
Contact: amroot@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family
Name: Jonah Tafuri ’25
Major: Economics
Semester Abroad: Florence Fall 2021
What would you say to a student undecided about studying abroad? It’s fair to be undecided about going abroad. Especially joining the Discovery Program; the first semester is already a very new experience so studying abroad could seem excessive. It’s an untraditional experience, but what I can say in hindsight is that I certainly would regret not studying abroad now that I know what I had gotten out of it. I think a lot of the anxiety that would prevent somebody from going quickly goes away within a couple weeks. Now when I look back on my study abroad trip, I think fondly of when I still had to figure things out and when I was uncomfortable at first in Italy. It feels good to overcome this nervousness.
Contact: jttafuri@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, adjusting to a foreign language, culture shock / homesickness, first time abroad, selecting a program option, preparing for departure, living at the Student Hotel
Name: Olivia Papi ’25
Major: Psychology, Forensic Science
Semester Abroad: Florence Fall 2021
What was your most valuable experience abroad? Not only getting to live in a new country but getting getting to travel and see the different areas was my favorite thing. I felt like I really got to understand how people live in Italy instead of just being another sight-seeing tourist. Going to Italy had been one of my biggest dreams since I was a little kid but I never thought I would get to have such an immersive experience. I got to see so many different parts of Italy and that’s something I will never forget.
Contact: ompapi@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Cultural immersion
Name: Nashaly Perez ’25
Major: Chemistry
Semester Abroad: Florence Fall 2021
What advice would you give a Discovery student? A piece of advice that I would give a student before they go abroad is to enjoy their time in their host country as much as they can because before you know it the semester is over and you’re flying back home. That is one thing that I noticed while I was abroad. Time goes by very fast so enjoying the moments that you have at school, with your friends, or even when you are by yourself is very important.
Contact: nperez10@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, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity
Name: Marycarmen Hernandez Gonzalez ’25
Major: International Relations
Semester Abroad: Florence Fall 2021
What advice would you give to a Discovery student? Do not be afraid to travel within Italy! Taking trains may seem scary at first but the memories you make along the way are worth it. The excitement of going to a new city with a group of friends is unmatched.
Contact: mdhernan@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Cultural immersion
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
Discovery Madrid
Name: Kiana Khoshnoud ’23
Major: Undecided
Semester Abroad: Madrid Fall 2019
What did you wish you had known before going abroad? I wish I had known more about the country I was going to before I got there! Before going to Madrid I had traveled a bit around France and Italy, but I had never been to Spain. I had no real idea of how Madrid was going to be. Of course I saw it on google but I had not even met anyone who had gone their before. If I had known all the amazing aspects of Spanish culture before I went to Madrid, I would not have been as worried about going. Talking to students that had previously gone would have been a relief. In lots of instances people get nervous before going abroad, so it is pretty amazing to have someone to reach out to, to explain anything you are curious about.
Contact: kckhoshn@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, 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: Andrea Sanchez ’23
Major: Policy Studies
Semester Abroad: Madrid Fall 2019
What did you wish you had known before going abroad? I wish I had known that despite your financial situation, there are so many ways to get to know the city of Madrid and the rest of Spain that aren’t so costly. I made some of the best memories on the day trips through the school whose deposit ranged from 5-10 euros or the group trips to Cordoba, Sevilla, Burgos, and Leon that were included in our program fee. By researching cheap flights and hostels/Airbnbs while planning trips, I was still able to go to other places in Spain and outside of the country. It is entirely possible to fulfill your study abroad dreams on a budget.
Contact: asanch27@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, 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, Race & Ethnicity, Selecting a program option
Name: Camran Shealy ’23
Major: Political Science
Semester Abroad: Madrid Fall 2019
What did you wish you had known before going abroad? Before going abroad, I heard a lot about how to adapt to being in a new country, experiencing a new culture, etc.. The one thing I think I wasn’t prepared for, was the simultaneous experience of being in college for the first time. Going abroad as a Freshman means taking on more than just a new country, it means adapting to a newfound independence and work ethic, and that is something that is hard to prepare for. I wish I would have known the magnitude of the changes I was about to experience, and how these changes would influence my abroad experience.
Contact: clshealy@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: Alesandra Temerte ’23
Major: Economics; Writing & Rhetoric
Semester Abroad: Madrid Fall 2019
What would you say to students undecided about going abroad? Take the leap! I was pretty nervous at first too–in fact, I initially tried to back out of the Discovery program after learning I was accepted. It very quickly became the most extraordinary experience of my life, and I learned and grew so much as a person. I don’t have a single regret about going abroad, even though it meant missing out on the typical first semester freshman experience. I wouldn’t have traded the experience for anything else because it was truly special. It set the foundation for the resourcefulness, awareness, knowledge, and drive to explore that I would carry with me for the rest of my college career.
Contact: atemerte@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, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure
Name: Donyell Logan ’23
Major: Medicinal Chemistry and Psychology
Semester Abroad: Madrid Fall 2019
What would you say to a student undecided about going abroad? I had my doubts as well. I was excited yet apprehensive. However, this truly was an experience of a lifetime. I want to go back often and I want you to give it a shot. My time abroad was fun and I made some great friends that I continue to hang out with on main campus. You’re experience abroad will be the highlight of your college career. If you’re given an opportunity to study abroad, never turn it down. You have more semesters on campus than abroad, but I guarantee you that going abroad will be one of the most memorable moments of your college career. I wish there was a full time campus in Madrid, because I would definitely go there!
Contact: dslogan@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Race & Ethnicity
Name: Eva Englich ’23
Major: Modern Foreign Languages and International Relations
Semester Abroad: Madrid Fall 2019
What was your most valuable experience abroad? Overall for me living with a host family in Spain was the most valuable thing I could have done while studying abroad. While I did not have a family per se, I had a wonderful host mother who was one of the most caring and interesting people I had ever met. She was a bit older and had three grown up children. Each of these children had children of their own who came to visit every once in a while. Living and sharing such a small space with my host mom made me feel comfortable talking to her about a wide variety of topics, including the current political climate in Spain, and various things I learned in my classes at the SU Madrid center. We shared different stories and traditions which helped me embrace the Spanish culture more. For me my host mom was like another grandmother who was caring and always tried her best to make us feel comfortable no matter the situation. This was the most valuable part about studying abroad. I truly felt like I had a place in Madrid because of my host mother.
Contact: erenglic@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Cultural Immersion
Name: Courtney Conte ’23
Major: Neuroscience and Biology
Semester Abroad: Madrid Fall 2019
What was your most valuable experience abroad? The most valuable experience that I had while in Madrid was when I chose to sightsee individually, and visited some of the museums and parks in the city. After taking the Arts of Spain course, it was so much more interesting to walk around the museums and recognize some of the pieces, as well as to be able to apply the things that I was learning in the classroom into such a large part of Spanish culture and history. It was amazing to feel like I was in my city, comfortable walking through Retiro by myself, just people watching.
Contact: cconte@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, 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: Mark Nzasi ’25
Major: Biology
Semester Abroad: Madrid Fall 2021
What advice would you give to a student studying abroad? Do some research and make a list of all the places you’d like to visit before you travel abroad! Spending only a single semester in a new country is not enough time to truly experience all that it has to offer. Time goes by fast when you’re having fun and you don’t want to return home to The United States feeling like you missed out on certain incredible sights and experiences! I had so many spectacular experiences travelling to other cities in Spain however, I wish I planned my time more so I could have had the chance to visit even more cities and learn more about each place’s culture.
Contact: mwnzasi@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, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Living with a host family, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity, Selecting a program option
Name: Kanya Shah ’25
Major: Aerospace Engineering
Semester Abroad: Madrid Fall 2021
What advice would you give to a student studying abroad? Unsure of going to study abroad? The plus side is that your understanding of the world we live in will evolve, you’ll gain interpersonal skills, and you’ll become braver. The struggle will be adjusting to new social customs, the language(s), financial budgeting, and managing traveling with academics. Personally, the struggles you will go through as you’re abroad will pay off because when you come back to your home country, you will become unstoppable if you choose to fully engage with the country you studied abroad in. Think about what you want to get out of studying abroad.
Contact: kshah23@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, 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
Name: Adam Baltaxe ’25
Major: International Relations
Semester Abroad: Madrid Fall 2021
What do you wish you had known before going abroad? If I could go back in time and tell myself one thing before I went abroad it would be to keep as open of a mind as possible. I’m not saying that you should go in completely blind, as knowing some basic skills helps with conversations and communication, but don’t fret about being underprepared. As long as you go in with an accepting and ready-to-learn mindset, you are going to have an incredible time. You are surrounded by people who are willing to help 24/7, and there’s no better way to learn about a country than through first-hand experience.
Contact: abaltaxe@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, 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: Leana Bashar ’25
Major: Earth Sciences
Semester Abroad: Madrid Fall 2021
What do you wish you had known before going abroad? The public transport in Madrid is amazing! It completely changed my views on city life and how much potential we have to make urban areas more livable and sustainable. The convenient bus and metro timings and distance from the stops to school and other historical landmarks actively inspired me to go out more and know that there’s a reliable, cheap option for anything. Surprisingly, I looked forward to my morning commute: seeing the different demographics of Madrid going from one stop to another, what they were wearing, what they were listening to, reading, or saying. It was such a vulnerable sight to see for a few minutes, and then they would leave, going who knows where.
Contact: lsbashar@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Cultural Immersion, Health, safety, and support, Living with a host family, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity, Religious life, Selecting a program option
Name: Kaila Hart ’25
Major: Psychology
Semester Abroad: Madrid Fall 2021
What was your most valuable experience abroad? My most valuable experience would be having the chance to immerse myself in an entirely different culture. I was definitely terrified when I first landed in Spain, I didn’t know anything about Madrid and my Spanish was not the best. As the weeks went on, I was able to have conversations in Spanish and the city of Madrid began to feel like a second home. I found myself giving directions in Spanish to people in Madrid without second guessing what I was saying. I will always remember each thing I experienced in Madrid and those encounters where I was able to apply everything I had learned.
Contact: kdhart@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, Health, safety, and support, Living with a host family, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity
Name: Suragith Paul ’25
Major: Aerospace Engineering
Semester Abroad: Madrid Fall 2021
What was your most valuable experience abroad? My most unforgettable experience was traveling around Spain, especially the bullet train trips, because I was able to see many communities outside of Madrid. I was able to go to Cuenca, Granada, Segovia, and many more places. I enjoyed visiting monuments in every city because each city had its own history and monuments that made them unique. As I traveled through Spain, I was able to see and learn about the history and origins of each city and what it had to offer, especially the monuments. My favorite monument was the Aqueducts in Segovia because it looks like it’s in pristine condition and it goes on for miles through the city.
Contact: spaul01@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Selecting a program option, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, Financing study away, First time abroad, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure
Name: Sonia Julius ’25
Major: Chemical Engineering and Psychology
Semester Abroad: Madrid Fall 2021
What advice would you give to a Discovery student? This is going to be the best experience of your life. Live every day submerged in the place you are going. If you spend your whole three months studying and on your phone and such, years later you will regret it. Go out and try to see something new every day.
Contact: sjulius@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, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Health, safety, and support, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Religious life, Selecting a program option
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
Discovery Strasbourg
Name: Jeffrey Hoffman ’23
Major: International Relations and Modern Foreign Language
Semester Abroad: Strasbourg Fall 2019
What was your most valuable experience abroad? What I loved most about being abroad was exploring a new city with such wonderful people. Strasbourg offered so much to see, do, and eat! Exploring the physical layout of the city and getting to eventually call it home was an amazing experience. I learned about a new culture not only in terms of food, sport, and language, but in mannerism and how the French live. The thing that made my experience the best however was sharing it with my friends that today I call family.
Contact: jlhoffma@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Adjusting to a foreign language
Name: Destiny Wright-Butler ’23
Major: International Relations
Semester Abroad: Strasbourg Fall 2019
What would you say to a student undecided about going abroad? Going abroad teaches you how to fit into a livelihood different than your basic routine. It can show you that although in a different country, people across the globe are more connected that someone without an abroad experience may think. I would urge a student to realize that the world is becoming more international and being a globalized individual is the most important life skill one can have. Being abroad gives you the ability to learn how other countries and their citizens function which will make you more desirable to the internationally expanding job market and people in general! Plus, if you can live in another country independently, any situation you are thrown into will be easily navigable.
Contact: dwrightb@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, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity, Selecting a program option
Name: Taylor Stover ’23
Major: International Relations, French minor
Semester Abroad: Strasbourg Fall 2019
What did you wish you had known before going abroad? One thing I wish I had known before going abroad was how to trust myself more. Studying in Strasbourg was my first time travelling outside of North America, so I was nervous at first and didn’t know what to expect. I surprised myself with how fast I adapted and how quickly I learned to navigate the language, the culture, and the city. I was able to balance exploring Strasbourg and Europe with succeeding in my first semester of college. That’s the best advice I can give anyone who’s going to study abroad: trust yourself and believe in yourself and the rest will work itself out.
Contact: tjstover@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, Health, safety, and support, LGBTQ+, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Religious life, Selecting a program option
Name: Sifan Hunde ’23
Major: Psychology and Neuroscience
Semester Abroad: Strasbourg Fall 2019
What was your most valuable experience abroad? My whole study abroad experience is truly unforgettable! I had the chance to not just live in France but to also travel to many other European countries. Strasbourg is very special in that it has heavy German influence so learning about the history and seeing how different it is from many other French cities was amazing. Living with a host family is also one of my most valuable experiences because I got to see France not just from my own perspective but also from that of my host mom’s who has lived there her whole life. I came back to the US with a completely different mind set than the one I left with which I am so thankful for.
Contact: shunde@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, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Living with a host family, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity
Name: Sumer Robbin ’23
Major: International Relations
Semester Abroad: Strasbourg Fall 2019
What do you wish you had known before going abroad? First, a practical matter, I think that packing light is very important because you will find so much of what you need where you’re staying. I also wish I had known that there is a culture shock no matter where you go and that it takes a little bit of time to adjust to it. I think that homesickness is very real during this time and that there are some times that you will miss your family and the comfortable routine you once had. These emotions are normal but they also fade so quickly when you get out and experience everything around you. But besides this, I really wish I knew how fast the time goes and that you should embrace every minute of it.
Contact: srobbin@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Culture shock / Homesickness, First time abroad, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Living with a host family, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity
Name: Ethan Tang ’25
Major: International Relations
Semester Abroad: Strasbourg Fall 2021
What was your most valuable experience abroad? It was so interesting to enjoy the experience of French culture, but also to understand that people in France and the region as a whole is part of the European Union. The European identity is very strong specifically in Strasbourg, and so I didn’t just learn about French culture. I was able to learn about German history and influence. The European Council is located in Strasbourg, so I was able to really understand the role that Strasbourg is for the entirety of Europe.
Contact: ettang@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, Health, safety, and support, LGBTQ+, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity, Religious life, Selecting a program option
Name: Virginia Walker ’25
Major: International Relations
Semester Abroad: Strasbourg Fall 2021
What was your most valuable experience abroad? My internship at the University of Strasbourg was absolutely one of the highlights of my abroad experience. What made this experience special for me was that almost all of the students I assisted were around my age, making it really easy to make connections and find similarities between us even with all of our differences. My role in the internship was to act as a secondary instructor in the English classes. More specifically, I worked with CRAL, the Centre de Ressources et d’Apprentissage des Langues de l’Université de Strasbourg, a sector of the university’s language department that works with students studying humanities. I was thrilled to work with students in the humanities because we had mutual interests as an International Relations major. I worked alongside several French professors who were fluent in English but often asked for my opinion during class discussions and asked me to elaborate on various topics from an American and native English speaker perspective. I enjoyed having a platform to share my culture and experiences with others because the students advanced their studies, and I gained more knowledge on French culture and French norms through the exchange.
Contact: vtwalker@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family
Name: Mary Matthews ’25
Major: International Relations
Semester Abroad: Strasbourg Fall 2021
What advice would you give a Discovery student? Always go for the student cards/discounts/tickets! They are amazing. They may not always be the best seats, but going to cultural events in the city you are studying in are some of the best events you can go to. Go to as many as you can! Plus there are cards to make travel cheaper.
Contact: mmatth05@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family
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