Name: Callie Amill ’24
Major: Marketing Management with a minor in Political Science
Semester Abroad: Spring 2023
What advice would you give to a student studying abroad? Before going abroad I would advise a student to speak to other people who have done the program before them (like global ambassadors). It’s helpful to get recommendations or suggestions before you go, I received some of the best advice in speaking to two girls I knew who had gone to Madrid and done the same seminar as me. I would also recommend going into the experience with an open mind and not committing to traveling with groups of people prior to your arrival. Friends and travel friends are completely different, and its important that you give people outside of your circle a consideration for traveling with.
Contact: ceamill@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, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity, Selecting a program option
Name: Sahara Vinneccy ’24
Major: Biology
Semester Abroad: Spring 2023
What was your most unforgettable experience abroad? My most valuable and unforgettable experience here in Madrid was during my seminar. I was in the Marine Ecology seminar. We went scuba diving in the Mediterranean sea in Murcia and it was amazing! I was scared at first because I didn’t know anyone in the seminar at all, However, the seminar had ice breakers and always provided us with activities that were very inclusive to every student. Furthermore, I was happy to have met some of my now best friends on that seminar! It was truly an unforgettable moment! Going through that week with all the same people really built a sense of community for everyone. Our professors during the seminar were always so helpful and always kept us on the edge of our seat for the different activities we had.
Contact: svinnecc@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, Health, safety, and support, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Name: Ishika Bharadwaj ’24
Major: English & Textual Studies Major, Minor in Business, Pre-Law Track
Semester Abroad: Spring 2023
What was your most valuable experience abroad? One of the most valuable experiences I have had in Madrid is formulating true connections with individuals and expanding my cultural competency. While abroad, I made a strong effort to get to know the local community and to immerse myself with native individuals in order to fully understand the different lifestyles encountered throughout Europe. Whether it was connecting with a family who owned a small local business, or formulating a relationship with the barista at my favorite coffee shop, I also made it a priority to establish a relationship with the community. This enhanced my experience abroad in multiple ways, as I was able to share and listen to stories, seek advice, and expand my worldview.
Contact: ibharadw@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, Health, safety, and support, Meeting locals. Race & Ethnicity ,Selecting a program option
Name: Luke Fahey ’24
Major: Political Science & Writing & Rhetoric
Semester Abroad: Fall 2022
What advice would you give to a student studying abroad? Learn as much as you can about the city as soon as you get there. Go walking everywhere you can, get lost, get familiar with your surroundings so you know where everything is and really immerse yourself.
Contact: lmfahey@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, Financing study away, First time abroad, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience
Name: Sophia Gullo ’24
Major: Communication and Rhetorical studies
Semester Abroad: Spring 2023
What was your most valuable experience abroad? The most valuable experience I had was living with my host mom, Antonia. She taught me so much about Spanish culture, my Spanish speaking/ comprehension skills improved immensely, and I created a bond that I will never forget.
Contact: sgullo@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Culture shock / Homesickness, Living with a host family
Name: Joshua Kibler ’24
Major: Real Estate & EEE minoring in GPE (Global Political Economy)
Semester Abroad: Spring 2023
What advice would you give a student studying abroad? Do some Duolingo to practice the language you need to know, and make sure you have your personal finances in order for the semester.
Contact: jakibler@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
Name: Jenny Lee ’24
Major: Political Science and Spanish
Semester Abroad: Spring 2023
What was your most valuable experience abroad? It would definitely have to be meeting my host mom! I was super lucky to have had such an amazing host mom who cooked the best meals, told me about the best places to visit in Madrid, and had the energy to talk as often as I wanted to! I loved being able to have the casual practice with speaking Spanish outside of an academic setting, and I loved getting to know her through the semester as we ate dinner every night!
Contact: jlee121@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Selecting a program option, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity
Name: Shea McCarron ’24
Major: Political Science
Semester Abroad: Fall 2022
What was your most valuable experience abroad? As a political science major, learning about the political systems in Spain and in the EU provided a new insight into global politics. I took courses such as History and Politics of Spain, Politics of the European Union, and even a course called Clash of Titans which focused on the expansive history of the Iberian peninsula including religious and cultural history. The Syracuse center offered many opportunities to visit important governmental and historical locations like the Royal Palace and the Senate and Congress buildings.
Contact: samccarr@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Allergies & dietary needs, Cultural Immersion, First time abroad, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Health, safety, and support, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Name: Emily Saad ’24
Major: Creative Advertising and Finance
Semester Abroad: Spring 2023
What was your most valuable experience abroad? By far, the greatest gift I received abroad was living with my host family. My host mother Francis changed my life. She taught me how to be generous, how to seize every thing about life, and how to appreciate art and history. Going into my abroad term, I was nervous because I had not practiced my Spanish in such a long time. Francis did not speak any English and I had to re-learn how to speak Spanish. I wanted to completely integrate myself into Spain and living with Francis allowed me to do that and more. I was able to see Madrid through a local’s eyes daily. I also had so many opportunities that people not living with a host family did not get to take part in, such as: visiting sites outside of Madrid with Francis, going out to dinner at authentic Spanish restaurants, meeting locals through my host mother, and visiting her favorite spots.
Contact: essaad@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, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity, Religious life, Selecting a program option
Name: Alena Slak ’24
Major: Neuroscience and Psychology
Semester Abroad: Fall 2022
What was your most valuable experience abroad? Upon arriving in Spain, we embarked on a one week seminar visiting Grenada, Sevilla, Toledo, and Córdoba, and these mini trips were by far the most unforgettable part of my experience abroad. I was suddenly immersed in a different country and quickly regained my Spanish skills through learning about the rich history of the variety of religious beliefs in Spain. We visited several sacred cathedrals, mosques, and synagogues, all with such detailed architecture, and the environment was so beautiful in the various gardens we walked through. We also got to go to a beach and my friends and I played soccer with some of the locals there. It was a great introduction to Spain and set me up to have a great semester there!
Contact: alslak@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, LGBTQ+, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Name: Caitlin Rionda ’24
Major: Marketing, Advertising
Semester Abroad: Spring 2023
What was your most valuable experience abroad? The marine ecology signature seminar was hands down one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had. We got to discover small coastal towns, meet unique locals, and see parts of Spain and its culture I would have never seen otherwise. It was the most unforgettable ten days of my life – topped off with earning my scuba diving license! This experience taught me to really step outside of my comfort zone, make friends with people I normally wouldn’t. I’ve never had a hands-on learning experience like this one and it was something no classroom could even come close to replicating.
Contact: cmrionda@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, Health, safety, and support, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Name: Ben Burstein ’24
Major: Economics and History
Semester Abroad: Fall 2023
What was your most valuable experience abroad? Traveling to different parts of Spain. Spain is a very diverse country, so seeing all of the many regions of Spain was very rewarding for me. It helped me connect with my passions, and has made me feel far more comfortable in expressing myself.
Contact: bhburste@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Adjusting to a foreign language, Allergies & dietary needs, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure
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