Click to view Global Ambassadors from each program:
- Discovery Florence Global Ambassadors
- Discovery Madrid Global Ambassadors
- Discovery Strasbourg Global Ambassadors
Discovery Florence
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: 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
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
Discovery Strasbourg
Name: Taylor Stover ’23 G’24
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: 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