Name: Brian Cordova ’21
Major: Architecture
Semester Abroad: Spring 2019: Syracuse London; Fall 2019: Syracuse Florence; Short-term program: Mediterranean Food & Culture
What was your most unforgettable experience in your host country? One of the most valuable experiences I learned to appreciate was having the exposure of being in a completely new environment. While in Florence I was immersed in a whole new culture which included accepting and broadening my perspective on languages, different lifestyles, classroom settings, food customs, and much more (to name a few). From this, some of my most humbling and unforgettable experiences had to come from communicating with locals, staff, travelers and strangers alike whether that be in their home or foreign language such as Italian, German, Spanish, or English.
Contact: bicordov@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Race & Ethnicity, Adjusting to a foreign language, Allergies & dietary needs, Cultural Immersion, Financing study away, First time abroad, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Preparing for departure
Name: Nicole Llewellyn ’21
Major: Chemical Engineering and Neuroscience
Semester Abroad: Spring 2019
What would you say to a student undecided about studying abroad? “This is an opportunity to learn, eat, and travel in another country! When will you get the chance to do so again?” Studying abroad is absolutely one of the best decisions I have ever made. I learned more about myself, the country and culture, and met amazing people while eating my way through Europe. You gain a new perspective on the world and experience it in an entirely different way by living and immersing yourself in new cultural settings. This is your time to shine!
Contact: nhllewel@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, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity
Name: Margaret Dude ’21
Major: Marketing Management Major and Public Communications Minor
Semester Abroad: Spring 2020
What was your most valuable experience abroad? The most valuable experience I have had in Italy was when my host family took my roommate and I on a road trip to their beach house in Marina di Grosseto during the immersion weekend. It was an amazing sight to drive through the large hills. My host family gave us a little tour of the city of Pienza and I tried cheese from a sheep for the first time (which I loved). Then, we stopped at Moltacino, where we bought wine and was able to see stunning views from the hill town. Then, we arrived at their beach house where we met our host family’s kids and grandkids and ate homemade polenta. I don’t think I will ever be able to have an experience like that again and it is all because of my host family. I was able to see so much of Italy and learn little facts about the area from our host family that I would have never experienced without them.
Contact: madude@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Preparing for departure, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Adjusting to a foreign language, Allergies and dietary needs, Cultural immersions, Culture shock/homesick, First time abroad, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Selecting a program option, and Staying in touch with friends and family
Name: Amanda Chau ’22
Major: Sociology and Psychology
Semester Abroad: Spring 2020
What would you say to someone undecided about going abroad? One of the best things about going abroad is being able to learn a new language while immersing yourself into the culture of the actual country itself. “To learn a new language is just to open a door in a new world”. Learning a new language in its host country gives you so many opportunities to easily learn it and practice it. You would be able to talk to so many more people in the world. Also, by going abroad, you have the opportunity to travel to other countries over the weekends and breaks. This gives you more chances to keep expanding your horizons and travel to more places. To be able to see all of these amazing places that you usually just see from pictures and TV is whole different experience. You would be able to say that you’ve been there and you’ve done that. I think that is one of the best parts of traveling.
Contact: amchau@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, 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, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Name: John Mazza ’21
Major: Civil Engineering
Semester Abroad: Spring 2020
What did you learn while abroad? One thing that I wish I knew before studying abroad was how different my classes were going to be taught. As an engineer my classes have always been taught in a very specific way and were very math-oriented which was not the case in Italy. While I was in Italy my classes were much more conceptual and did not have too many calculations involved. This took me a little bit of time to get used to and it was not something that I was expecting. After spending time in these classes I realize that it made me a stronger engineering student because I was introduced to a new style of teaching that a majority of engineers do not experience. I wish I would have know that this was the case before I went abroad so that I could have prepared myself more because preparation was a bog part of my pre-departure routine.
Contact: jmmazza@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, Financing study away, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Religious life, Selecting a program option
Name: Ava Benn ’21
Major: Premed & Nutrition Science and minor Addiction studies
Semester Abroad: Spring 2020
What would you say to someone undecided about going abroad? You will not regret it! Everyone enjoys this so much it is one of the best things you will ever do in your lifetime! I cannot stress enough how much this has changed my life and how much I enjoyed every second of my experience and there is nothing better than going abroad wherever you end up it will be the best decision you make it will be such as nothing you ever experiences. I have traveled all over but there is nothing like living abroad.
Contact: avbenn@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: Allyson Greenberg ’22
Major: Environmental Engineering; Environment Sustainability and Policy
Semester Abroad: Spring 2020
What would you say to someone undecided about going abroad? I would tell that student that any experience they may be afraid to miss on campus is incomparable to the many memories and opportunities they may experience during a semester abroad. Not only is it fun to explore another country and their culture, but it is a time of self growth and reflection. If going abroad seems to be far out of your comfort zone, know that all SUAbroad staff, both on campus and in your host country, are more than willing to help you with anything and ultimately expand your comfort zone.
Contact: agreen22@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with family and friends, Financing study away, First time abroad, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Adjusting to a foreign language, Allergies and dietary needs, Cultural immersion
Name: Aidan Mihalik ’21
Major: International Relations
Semester Abroad: Spring 2020
What was your most valuable experience in your host country? Living with a host family was the most valuable experience in my host country. It was such a unique experience that I highly recommend. Its like having a mom and dad away from home which helped with the adjustment to living in a new country. My host family taught me and my roommate about Italian culture, food, history, tradition, and family. My host mother’s cooking was incredible, authentic Italian food that you cannot get anywhere else.
Contact: akmihali@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Cultural immersion, Adjusting to a foreign language, and health, safety, support.
Name: Emmet Raichle ’21
Major: Policy Studies
Semester Abroad: Spring 2020
What would you tell a student undecided about going abroad? I have many friends who have not or do not intend to study abroad and often I find that they think studying abroad might prevent them from completing, or at least making it harder to complete, their desired major. Or they think it will make it harder to market themselves for internships or other home campus activities. In the event that a student is undecided and one of these reasons is a contributing factor, I would encourage them to adopt a different perspective on studying abroad. I found that most of my peers abroad did not have to sacrifice progress on their major to study abroad, even those in more rigorous STEM fields. Especially since we are lucky to have Syracuse Centers throughout Europe, it is much easier to make sure credits continue to help students reach their academic goals on time.
Contact: esraichl@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, Selecting a program option