Name: Giavanna Williams ’25
Major: Film Studies
Semester Abroad: Fall 2023
What was your most valuable experience abroad? My most unforgettable experience was my internship abroad! I was able to teach English to first graders at Altair Colegio Internacional in Madrid. It taught me so many valuable lessons, along with opening my eyes up to the world of foreign language exchange. I never thought I would enjoy teaching children so much, and it filled my days with so much happiness and laughter. Being able to teach and see the beneficial changes I made within kids’ English made my days so much better.
Contact: gjwillia@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, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity, Selecting a program option
Name: Talia St. Angelo ’25
Major: Marketing and Finance
Semester Abroad: Fall 2023
What was your most valuable experience abroad? My most valuable experience in my hose country was hands down living with my host mom. Going abroad it’s very easy to miss that sense of home and spending time with your family. By having my host mom to come home to every day, a room for all of my things, and someone there who genuinely cared about my well being, it made being away for the semester that much easier. We would always sit down for dinner and talk about our days, my travel plans, and overall ambitions for life. I knew a host family would be a culturally enriching experience, but it ended up being much more than that. I left abroad with tears in my eyes leaving someone who was so important to me and my growth. However, my host mom was one more reason for me to come back to Madrid one day and visit!
Study abroad advice: Do it. It is super easy to be intimidated traveling to a new place, but it’s just as scary going through college knowing you never tried for something that could change your life in the most amazing way. Going into my semester abroad I knew that I wanted to go, but I also sad to leave my friends, family, and organizations on campus. What I didn’t know was that I would end up meeting so many people from Syracuse I probably would never have met if I didn’t just go for it. I come back from abroad now with many more friends on campus, a huge appreciation for the Syracuse abroad staff, and hundreds of stories to tell. Everyone and everything you may be scared to leave will all be back here waiting for you, and you’ll have everyone you met along the way too!
Contact: tmstange@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, Selecting a program option
Name: Claire Harrison ’25
Major: Magazine, News, and Digital Journalism, Political Science
Semester Abroad: Spring 2024
What would you say to a student undecided about studying abroad? I would tell them that the soft skills and self-discovery of going abroad are something I could not have gotten from anywhere else. I learned so much about myself by the end of the program that I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Beyond that, being abroad gives you something to talk about in job interviews and offers the opportunity to travel to lots of places for much cheaper than you would normally be able to.
Contact: charri39@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, 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: Gustavo Madero Carriles ’26
Major: Political Science and Public Relations
Semester Abroad: Spring 2024
What advice would you give to a student studying abroad? My advice before going abroad would be to be intentional with your time there. Some believe that four months is a lot of time, but time actually goes by extremely fast when you are abroad, so when you are intentional with your time and make a bucket list of things you are trying to get out f your semester abroad such as (visiting new places, being more extroverted, doing things that scare me) you can quantify your time abroad based on how much of your goals you were able to accomplish. Seeing the bucket list I made while abroad, truly helped me hold myself accountable during the semester.
Contact: gamadero@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, Religious life, Selecting a program option
Name: Ryan Scheiner ’25 G’26
Major: Economics BS/MA, International Relations BA, Sports Management minor
Semester Abroad: Spring 2024 (Summer 2023: Olympic Odyssey program)
What was your most valuable experience abroad? While it sounds cliche, the most valuable experience from my time abroad in Madrid has been living the Spanish culture. Whether that is eating tapas with friends, going to soccer games and cheering alongside the fans, eating dinner extremely late, spending time outside with friends and taking in the scenes of everyone else enjoying the outdoors, going to a bull fight, a flamenco show, and of course getting to use the Spanish language daily. Living with a host family has made the experience much more fruitful and authentic in my opinion as well as there is direct access to Spanish culture in the house every single day.
Contact: raschein@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, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Name: Josephine Seger ’25
Major: Anthropology and Forensic Science
Semester Abroad: Spring 2024 (Fall 2022: Discovery Florence)
What advice would you give to a student studying abroad? I’d recommend that they go to advising meetings with not only the Syracuse Abroad program advisor, but especially with they’re academic advisor. Their academic advisor can help them look at the course options abroad to see which one would fit their schedule and major best and still have them on track to graduate on time if that’s important to them. I’d also advise that they do their research about the country thoroughly before choosing. It’s important that they’re aware of different cultural norms, and the ways they’ll have to adapt to those and respect them. I’d advise that they look into all the options available to them, so they can customize their experience to one that would be best suited to them (in terms of location, duration and living situation).
Contact: jdseger@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Preparing for departure, Adjusting to a foreign language, Culture shock / Homesickness, Financing study away, First time abroad, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Health, safety, and support, LGBTQ+, Living with a host family
Name: Emmy Njue ’25
Major: Finance and Business Analytics, Economics Minor
Semester Abroad: Spring 2024
What was your most valuable experience abroad? The most valuable experience I gained during my time abroad in Spain was actively participating in Madworld activities. Not only was I able to explore different parts of Spain through this program (Toledo, Cuenca, Chinchon & Aranjuez), but I was also able to be a part of such interesting activities ( Paella cooking class, yoga class, Chocolate testing , bowling, bull fight) that allowed me to interact with others whilst enjoying my time in Spain.
Contact: ewnjue@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Race & Ethnicity, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, Financing study away, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure
Name: Nyree Walrond ’25
Major: Psychology
Semester Abroad: Spring 2024
What advice would you give to a student studying abroad?
First I would say research as much about your host country as possible, the most common mode of transportation, what the weather is typically like for the time you’ll be there, and all the “must-see” things they have to offer.
I’d also advise setting a budget before you go abroad. Sometimes unexpected expenses come up and there are so many amazing opportunities within reach that are so different from back home. I think setting a budget, especially for the first few months will help keep students from having to sacrifice certain things or opportunities that are presented to them at the end of their time abroad. As well as allowing for emergency funds incase their ever needed!
Lastly, I’d advise that within the first few days students explore the city. There were so many hidden gems in Madrid that I hadn’t found out about until halfway through my time abroad. Also exploring with no destination in mind allows you to familiarize yourself with your surrounding neighborhood at your own pace!
Contact: njwalron@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
Name: Reagan Cavanagh ‘26
Major: Biology and Psychology
Semester Abroad: Fall 2024
What advice would you give to a student studying abroad? My advice for students is pretty basic, but it’s important. First, learn the language, even if it’s just a few basic words! A lot of students assume that in big cities, most people will speak English—and many do—but the point of studying abroad is to embrace the culture. Speaking the local language, even a little, is one of the most respectful and meaningful ways to do that.
Next, make a budget. I was managing my own finances while abroad, so I created a spreadsheet to track what I could spend and where I needed to save. You don’t want to get to the end of the semester and realize you can’t do something because you ran out of money. Be smart, save where you can, and plan ahead!
Contact: rhcavana@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, Preparing for departure Selecting a program option
Name: Anna Lupardo ‘26
Major: Human Development and Family Science and Psychology
Semester Abroad: Fall 2024
What was your most valuable experience abroad? My most valuable and unforgettable experience in my host country was learning the Spanish language as someone who never spoke Spanish before living in Spain, as well as living with my host family abroad! My host family included a single mom and her two teenagers and they were the best thing that happened to me in Madrid. They welcomed me into their home, helped me to navigate the language, and they treated me as if I was just an older sibling of theirs. I shared my travels with them, we would have dinner together most nights and talk about our day to day, and they truly exposed me to what everyday life is like for a family living in Madrid: the culture, the food, the expectations, all of it. With their encouragement, and the support from my Spanish speaking friends in my program, I learned to speak the language at a basic level rather quickly. By the time my mom had arrived in the middle of October to visit me, I was our sole translator, taking us through restaurants, stores and taxi rides. Having the comfort and added knowledge from my host family made Madrid feel like a home away from home and it helped me to excel with my Spanish in a way I had never expected!
Contact: amlupard@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, Religious life, Selecting a program option
Name: Sarah Santiago Ruiz ‘27
Major: Biology and Neuroscience
Semester Abroad: Fall 2024 (Madrid Center: Health & Science)
What was your most valuable experience abroad? The most unforgettable experience I had in my host country was definitely the Marine Ecology signature seminar. This was a 10-day course that I was able to take before the semester began. During the seminar, we explored the different ecosystems of the Mediterranean Sea in the south of Spain. We visited museums, aquariums, and research facilities, but I must say that the best part was snorkeling almost every day and getting scuba diving certified. Getting my scuba certification was one of the best experiences of my life. What people say is definitely true; it is another world down there. Given that I live on a tropical island when I’m not off at school, I hope to take scuba diving up as a hobby if possible, which is just another thing that I get to take from the seminar. Going into this class, I didn’t know a lot about the ocean, and I looked forward to filling this gap in my knowledge. I can now confidently say that I know a lot more than I did before and that I have a much deeper understanding and awareness of the problems and solutions that can be done to keep our ocean and planet safe. In addition to having all of these incredible experiences, I met some of my closest friends from my abroad experience during the seminar. All 21 of us still talk to each other almost every day and hope to keep a close relationship once we get back to campus. I could not recommend this course enough; it was a truly amazing experience that I will cherish my whole life.
Contact: slsantia@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, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity, Selecting a program option
Name: Keira Bowers ’27
Major: Biology
Semester abroad: Fall 2024, Health & Science program
What was your most memorable experience abroad? My most valuable experience in my host country was participating in the Health & Science program, which allowed me to stay on track for my Biology degree while studying abroad. Taking Organic Chemistry with lab and Cellular & Molecular Biology ensured I met key requirements while gaining an international perspective on science education. The program provided a challenging yet rewarding academic experience, complemented by opportunities to apply my learning outside the classroom. One highlight was the Marine Ecology Seminar, which earned me upper-division biology credits and incredible hands-on experience that reinforced my passion for conservation. Plus, becoming Scuba certified will be a huge asset in my future career in environmental and wildlife conservation! Studying abroad through this program not only expanded my scientific knowledge but also allowed me to demonstrate my knowledge through real-world application, making my study abroad experience truly unforgettable!
Contact: kebowers@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness
Name: Avva Boroujerdi ’25
Major: Entrepreneurship & Emerging Enterprises, Management
Semester abroad: Fall 2024
What was your most memorable experience abroad? In terms of my most valuable experience, the Service Learning opportunity at Colegio Altair, where I helped Spanish students with their English, is something I will forever cherish. There’s no better feeling than knowing you’ve helped teach and motivate a student in the classroom. I’m incredibly grateful for the chance to work alongside amazing instructors like Leticia, Bethan, and Diana, and I hope to visit Colegio Altair again on future trips to Madrid.
Contact: aborouje@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family
Name: Tiana Chacon-White ’26
Major: Forensic Science, Sociology
Semester abroad: Fall 2024
What was your most memorable experience abroad? My most valuable experience in my host country was dinner-time in my homestay. I had the amazing privilege of bonding immediately with my roomate and host mom which allowed for the smoothest transition to abroad life possible. Not only was I able to improve my Spanish drastically, I was also able to have meaningful conversations that cultivated my understanding of Spanish culture. Coming home from a school day or exploring the city, I looked forward to these nightly meals where we bonded over shared experiences, food, and much more. With the support of these two strong women, I was able to navigate my new home country as well as the person I wanted to be by the end of the semester. I can say without a doubt that this small family shaped my experience abroad for the better in more ways I could have ever imagined.
Contact: tlchacon@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family
Name: Ashley Munkhbavar ’27
Major: Biology
Semester abroad: Fall 2024, Health & Science program
What was your most memorable experience abroad? My most valuable experience in Madrid was definitely immersing myself in the culture and the people I met along the way. Through the MadWorld Passport Program, I was able to engage in so many different activities that allowed me to learn about the Spanish culture. Whether that was through going to a Tasty Tuesday activity where we tried traditional Spanish holiday treats like turron or taking a tour of the Real Madrid Stadium exploring the home of europe’s most famous soccer team. I had the opportunity to experience so many aspects of the culture through activities like this. It also allowed me to get to know my cohort better and the people I’ve met while doing these activities have become some of my best friends to this day. During my time in Madrid, I stayed in the Xior Student Dorms and I was able to meet so many students who were also studying abroad at the same time as me or even for a year, or spending all four of their undergraduate years in Madrid.
Contact: amunkhba@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Meeting locals, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness
Name: Emma Tangeman ’26
Major: Biology
Semester abroad: Fall 2024, Health & Science
What was your most memorable experience abroad? The most unforgettable experience I had while I was participating in the Marine Ecology Seminar at the beginning of the semester. It was one of the most unique experiences I have ever had. I was able to learn about the importance of the Mediterranean Sea and how important it is for the environment while also experiencing it through scuba diving. Learning how to scuba dive was one of the coolest things I have ever done. Seeing ocean life from a new perspective is truly life changing. The seminar not only allowed me to experience new things, it also gave me friends that I got closer with in Madrid and created relationships with them that I have brought back to Syracuse with me. The seminar allowed me to experience a part of Spain I probably wouldn’t have visited if I didn’t participate in it. The south of Spain is now one of my favorite places for so many reasons and I will forever be thankful that my abroad experience started with the seminar.
Contact: egtangem@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: First time abroad, Adjusting to a foreign language, Financing study away
Name: Leila Ardehali ’27
Major: Biology, Pre-med track
Semester abroad: Fall 2024, Health & Science
What was your most memorable experience abroad? All of my experiences from abroad were memorable and I wouldn’t change them for the world. The Madworld activities provided to us were absolutely incredible and gave us students an insight on culture and diversity in Madrid. One that I remember vividly is the cooking class where we made paella, tortilla española, and tarta de Santiago. We got to make traditional Spanish cuisines together and we learned so much about the culture and historical contexts of the food we made. Making it with other students gave us a sense of community as well which was extremely memorable to me.
Contact: lardehal@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, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity, Selecting a program option
Name: Carrie Karten ’26
Major: Psychology, Spanish and Human Development and Family Science minors
Semester abroad: Fall 2024
What was your most memorable experience abroad? One of my most unforgettable experiences was being able to explore and take in all that Madrid had to offer. Many people that go abroad like to use the opportunity to explore the world, but they then fail to actually explore and love their actual host country. I will forever remember the people, food, and atmosphere of Madrid. It truly made it a second home for me.
Contact: clkarten@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, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity, Selecting a program option
Name: Marc Pantano ’26
Major: Marketing Management and Supply Chain Management
Semester abroad: Fall 2024
What was your most memorable experience abroad? One of my most valuable experiences in Madrid was starting the a cappella group ¡Acapaella! to bring together Syracuse students, discovery students, and those studying abroad. The group also included students from Duke University, Amherst College, and Kenyon College. I coordinated rehearsal times, taught music to people of all different skill levels, hosted a concert for everyone to enjoy, and managed our Instagram to practice social media marketing. Watching everyone bond and grow together through this group was incredible. It became more than a musical project—it was a community where we shared songs, stories, cultures, and experiences.
Contact: mpanta01@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, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Name: Ava Pinckney ’28
Major: Psychology, Neuroscience/Pre-med track
Semester abroad: Fall 2024 (Discovery)
What advice would you give to a study studying abroad? I would advise students to save money ahead of time and create a budget. Its helpful to establish some understanding of the language but not absolutely necessary, and having an idea of greetings and salutations is greatly appreciated by locals. I would also advise to make a list of places of interest to travel to and attempt to book trips early on to save money. Being as outgoing as you feel comfortable to be is extremely important, talking to locals and meeting new friends was truly a highlight of my trip.
Contact: ampinckn@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, LGBTQ+, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Name: Eleanor Rogowski ’28
Major: History
Semester abroad: Fall 2024 (Discovery)
What advice would you give to a study studying abroad? To any student preparing to go abroad, I would tell them to never be afraid to learn. Whether it is developing new language skills, trying cultural foods, or simply meeting students from other universities and programs, studying abroad is full of opportunities to learn. However, these experiences do not come without their disadvantages. Traveling to another country or continent is an intimidating feat and most students will be faced with a multitude of challenges throughout their stay. However, if one maintains a growth mindset, and views their setbacks as an opportunity to learn rather than as a roadblock, then their experience will overall be more fulfilling and positive.
Contact: eerogows@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Health, safety, and support, LGBTQ+, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure
Name: Manueska Fortunato ’28
Major: Chemical Engineering
Semester abroad: Fall 2024 (Discovery)
What was your most valuable experience abroad? One unforgettable experience from my host country that I loved was definitely meeting people from all over the world. I loved just going to grab lunch and all of a sudden I met the most amazing person from Brazil and made plans that same day. Madrid made me fall in love with the unexpected. It forcibly made me get out of my comfort zone and now there is no going back. For example,I loved just walking around the city and finding hidden gems that I would’ve never have stumbled upon if I didn’t get lost. My study abroad experience changed me as a person, and I would feel it’s impact for the rest of my life.
Contact: mfortu01@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family