Name: Athena Root ’27
Major: Anthropology
Semester Abroad: Spring 2024 (Florence Center, fall 2021)
What would you say to a student undecided about studying abroad? Studying abroad is not something that you should do on a whim or take lightly. By the end of your trip, you will return home as a different person than when you left, and you will have a different perspective on life. However, I believe that studying abroad is something that everyone should do if they are given the chance and I think that it is integral to truly understand the importance of cultural diversity. If you decide to study abroad, it is important to arrive in your host country with set goals that you want to accomplish and an idea of what you want to learn.
Contact: amroot@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, LGBTQ+, Preparing for departure
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: 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: 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: 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
Name: Edward Lopresti ’27
Major: Finance & Applied Data Analytics
Semester abroad: Fall 2025 (Eurotech, summer 2025)
What was your most valuable experience abroad? Going on the signature seminar allowed me to conquer one of my biggest fears, which was the ocean. I was able to get my Scuba certification and see some amazing marine life during our two days of scuba diving, while learning about these native/endemic species at the same time. I would highly recommend the signature seminar to anyone going abroad as it really was one of the highlights of my entire semester. I still keep in contact with many of the people on that trip and it helped ease my transition into Spain.
Contact: ejlopres@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, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Name: Nicholas Alumkal ’27
Major: Broadcast & Digital Journalism
Semester abroad: Fall 2025
What advice would you give to a student studying abroad? I would recommend trying to be a traveler, instead of a tourist. Being a tourist often means following set plans, visiting famous sights for leisure and staying in comfort zones (hotels, big groups, English-friendly areas), while a traveler seeks deeper immersion, explores off-beaten paths, interacts authentically with locals, tries new foods and values personal growth over a checklist. As much as you can, I’d urge students to try to get out of their comfort zone and be a traveler.
Contact: njalumka@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Selecting a program option, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure
Name: Elenore Fresnel ’27
Major: Bandier Program for Recording and Entertainment Industries, Business minor
Semester abroad: Fall 2025
What advice would you give to a student studying abroad? I strongly believe that studying abroad is one of the most invaluable experiences you’ll have in your life. Not only is it eye-opening to perceive and indulge yourself in another culture and way of living, growing an understanding of how you’re norms, habits, and perceptions are different of those in your host country, but you also learn a lot about yourself, how you create, develop, and maintain relationships, you find yourself and what you value and it can change your perspective on things.
Contact: eafresne@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, Health, safety, and support, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity, Selecting a program option
Name: Lucy Lombard ’28
Major: Psychology
Semester abroad: Fall 2025 (Health & Science program)
What was your most valuable experience abroad? I was in the Health and Science Program and was able to remain on track for my pre-medical degree. Prior to the start of the semester in early September, I participated in a 10-day marine ecology seminar that traveled through several cities and regions along Spain’s Mediterranean coast. The program offered 3-credits toward biology and explored the history, culture, and scientific significance of the Mediterranean Sea while introducing key oceanographic and ecological concepts essential to understanding and protecting marine ecosystems and the species that inhabit them. Learning science outside of a traditional classroom, directly within the environments we were studying, made the experience especially engaging and memorable.
Contact: lrlombar@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Selecting a program option, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, First time abroad, Health, safety, and support
Name: Anthony Masucci ’28
Major: History (previously Biochem)
Semester abroad: Fall 2025 (Health & Science program)
What was your most memorable experience abroad? My most unforgettable experience studying abroad in Madrid was actually not in Madrid at all. It was the Signature Seminar, where I took a class on Marine Ecology of the Mediterranean Sea and learned so much about marine life and ecosystems in just ten days. On top of everything that I learned, I had the opportunity of a lifetime by being able to travel along the coast of Spain and try so many new things. This was my first time in Spain–and Europe as a whole–and getting accustomed to the culture while doing so many fun activities is something I will remember for the rest of my life. My absolute favorite part of the seminar was staying in Cabo de Palos, where we got certified to scuba dive. When I first got in the water, I was struggling to stay still and get comfortable, but I quickly learned and got used to the incredible sensation of being deep underwater and sharing a habitat with the many organisms down there.
Contact: armasucc@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Selecting a program option, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, Financing study away, First time abroad, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, LGBTQ+, Living with a host family, Preparing for departure
Name: John O’Brien ’27
Major: Biotechnology
Semester abroad: Fall 2025
What advice would you give a student studying abroad? You really shouldn’t be nervous about leaving your friends on campus and having to make new friends abroad, if anything you should be excited. What I found is that almost no one went into their semester abroad knowing more than a couple people. What that meant for me was that everyone was in my same boat trying to make new friends and because of that everyone was really open to meeting me.
Contact: jobrie22@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, Selecting a program option
Name: Maya Pinglay ’27
Major: International Relations and Economics
Semester abroad: Fall 2025
What was your most memorable experience abroad? The opportunity to participate in MadWorld activities helped me explore Spain from a local’s perspective. Being able to visit different cities, see important landmarks, and understand the rich history of Madrid and Spain was one of the best parts of my Study Abroad experience. I also loved the meeting and mingling with my classmates abroad, especially those from other universities, and immersing myself fully into the Syracuse Study Abroad experience. I now feel like a more well-rounded traveler and one step closer to becoming an official Madrileña.
Contact: mepingla@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, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity, Selecting a program option
Name: Nova Ramseur-Moore ’28
Major: Psychology, Biology (minor)
Semester abroad: Fall 2025 (Health & Science program)
What advice would you give to a student studying abroad? My advice would be to live in the moment and truly seize each day. Time flies when you’re abroad, especially when you’re having fun, and it goes by much faster than you expect. It feels like just yesterday I was getting on a plane, saying goodbye to my family and friends for four months, and suddenly I am back home wondering where the time went. Say yes to every opportunity, even the ones that feel unfamiliar or a little scary, because those moments often become the most meaningful memories. Be present, be open, and really allow yourself to live every second of everyday.
Contact: nramseur@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: Sofija Ryan ’28
Major: Biotechnology
Semester abroad: Fall 2025 (Health & Science program)
What was your most memorable experience abroad? My most unforgettable experience while living abroad was definitely living in a homestay. I felt much more immersed in the Spanish culture and language while studying abroad in a way that went beyond the classroom. Speaking in Spanish every day was a challenge, but it strengthened my language skills as well as my confidence. While traveling on the weekends was exciting and brought many new experiences, I always looked forward to returning to the comfort of my homestay, where I felt a sense of belonging. That experience made my time abroad very meaningful and shaped how I now view cultural exchange and adaptability.
Contact: svryan@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Culture shock / Homesickness, Financing study away, Living with a host family, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Name: Miral Ali ’27
Major: Psychology
Semester abroad: Fall 2025
What advice would you give to a student studying abroad? I would also say, just try new things and say yes to as much as possible. And keep time for your home base too! Traveling is so much fun but try to spend time in your home city as much as you can. Wherever you are, Madrid, Florence, London, etc, plan to spend weekends there as well because there is so much to see, learn, experience, and you can’t do it all during the weekdays.
Contact: mali51@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, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity, Selecting a program option