Name: Nash Newton ’27
Major: Policy Studies and Citizenship and Community Engagement
Semester Abroad: Fall 2025
What was your most valuable experience abroad? The most valuable and unforgettable experience I had in the UK included going on Field Study trips as part of GEO 300 – Green Britain. Science, Devolution, and Climate Controversies, which focused on four UK cities. It provided unique opportunities to connect with professors, staff, and other students, and the experiential learning aspect of the trips enabled us to engage more deeply with the cities we visited. Learning coursework outside the classroom, often led by educational leaders at the organizations we visited, allowed for a deeper understanding and connection to the material. In the evenings, we were encouraged to venture into the cities to experience local culture and see day-to-day life in those towns. The experiential aspect of the course brought the material to life and created indelible memories. I am still very close with my classmates from that course because of the unique experiences and perspectives we shared, the memorable conversations we had, and the fun of being somewhere so different, together.
Contact: nsnewton@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, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Name: Riley Padron ’27
Major: Public Relations
Semester Abroad: Fall 2025
What advice would you give a student going abroad? Finally, remain open-minded throughout your entire experience. As long as a situation does not compromise your safety, I encourage students to say yes to opportunities as they arise. Some of the most meaningful and memorable moments abroad come from experiences you never planned for.
Contact: rmpadron@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, Disability resources, First time abroad, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure
Name: Cesar Barrera ’27
Major: Finance
Semester Abroad: Spring 2026
What advice would you give to a student studying abroad? I would tell students to do research on their host country. I would tell them to make a list of things they want to do in each month. I would also recommend to save a lot of money and encourage them to apply to scholarships.
Contact: cebarrer@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, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity, Religious life, Selecting a program option
Name: Megan Fowler ’27
Major: Supply Chain Management, Accounting
Semester Abroad: Spring 2026
What advice would you give to a student studying abroad? After studying abroad, there are two big pieces of advice I find myself telling my friends preparing to go abroad in the future. First, build a routine early on. By prioritizing this early, it allows you to enjoy the more exciting parts like meeting new people, trying new things, exploring new places and coming back to stability. The second piece of advice is to explore your home city and take advantage of your home city. Everyone picks their home city for a particular reason and this may be the only time you have to truly be a local in another country. It’s so important to say yes to everything, something as simple as going to a new lunch spot with my friend became a fun weekly ritual. With Syracuse covering transportation in the city, it makes it so easy to explore and tap into the culture.
Contact: mefowler@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family
Name: Emily Tenorio ’28
Major: EEE & Management; Law, Society and Policy
Semester Abroad: Spring 2026 (Whitman Core program)
What was your most valuable experience abroad? One of the greatest privileges Syracuse students studying in London receive is the opportunity to spend a weekend in Lockerbie, a small town that carries such significant history. During my time there, I visited the academy where each year two Lockerbie scholars are selected to attend Syracuse University. Alongside another cohort of students, I helped conduct and facilitate activities for local elementary school students, including lessons centered around American pop culture, teamwork, and group-building exercises. At the end of one of the days, we gathered in an assembly room where members of the community taught us traditional Scottish dances. Throughout the weekend, we were also taken to multiple memorial sites and locations connected to the Pan Am Flight 103 tragedy, each carrying powerful memories and stories. Perhaps the most memorable moment of the entire weekend was the community dinner shared between the Syracuse students and the residents of Lockerbie. Many of the residents we met had lived there their entire lives and carried personal memories of the tragedy and its aftermath. Attending that dinner and spending the weekend in Lockerbie was truly one of the most moving experiences I have had, not only during my time studying abroad, but in my life overall.
Contact: etenorio@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness ,Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Name: Rachel Walker ’27
Major: Economics
Semester Abroad: Spring 2026
What was your most memorable experience abroad? One of my most valuable experiences during my study abroad in London was a day trip to the Seven Sisters, which is a series of large cliffs off the coast of southern England. I had planned on traveling here one of the last weekends, and luckily the school hosted a last minute trip here. This was amazing because I did not have to worry about navigating any transportation on my own. I walked alongside the cliffs, only a few meters from the edge. This walk was so peaceful and beautiful, and I was able to experience the countryside of the UK. It was nice to step out of the busier city and be closer to nature. This was only about a 90 minute train from central London, so it was very easy to have a day trip here. I saw some sheep, and it was definitely one of the highlights. The cliffs were unlike anything I’ve ever seen before, with the height and coloring. It was also a great experience going with my school, because the trip directors were able to provide us insights on the history of the cliffs.
Contact: rwalke13@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, Religious life, Selecting a program option