Name: Gabriel Calloway ’26
Major: International relations, linguistics
Semester abroad: Buenos Aries Immersion Program 2023, Santiago fall 2023, Santiago spring 2024
What was your most valuable experience abroad? The most valuable experience I gained from studying abroad was learning how to accept my mistakes and move forward in spite of them. Managing the Spanish language in various social, professional, and personal contexts proved to be a constant challenge for me. There were times during the year when I found myself hiding in my room because everything about my new world was so uncomfortable. However, I discovered that the longer you stay away from challenges, the scarier they become. Exposing myself to situations where failure was guaranteed at some point became a necessity for my survival in both school and social life. Through this process, I feel I have advanced in my ability to change my perspective on the world to be one centered around the learning and development of my character, rather than the previously held success versus failure mentality I had.
Contact: gacallow@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, Race & Ethnicity, Religious life, Selecting a program option
Name: Alexyss Gazmarian ‘26
Major: Environment, Sustainability, and Policy / Geography / Spanish Language, Literature, and Culture
Semester Abroad: Fall 2024
What was your most memorable experience abroad? I studied abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Santiago, Chile, where I was a part of a Spanish-immersion program. While it might not seem like a huge deal, my most valuable experience was having a conversation with a vendor from a feria, which is the name for open markets in Chile. As a non-native Spanish speaker, it can be daunting to try to talk to someone whose first language is Spanish. One of my class assignments was to go to a feria and during my visit I struck up a conversation with one of the vendors who asked typical questions like, “Where are you from? What are you doing here? Why did you choose to come to Chile?”, once he heard my American accent. Once I had finished answering his questions, he said something that took me by surprise. He said, “You speak Spanish so well!”. I was ecstatic. This interaction occurred in the earlier months of my time abroad and I was still trying to find my confidence when it came to speaking Spanish in public. That single conversation empowered me to keep speaking up and to make mistakes because practicing is the one fool-proof method to learning how to do something. After this day, I made a promise to myself to try and talk to one random person everyday. By the end of my six months in South America, I had done exactly that. This experience taught me the importance of trying new things and how to be confident in myself and in my abilities. This is something that I will remember for a long time because it makes me feel proud knowing that I can accomplish anything I put my mind to.
Contact: acgazmar@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, Living with a host family, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity, Selecting a program optio
Name: Renee Kurie ‘26
Major: Advertising and Spanish Language, Literature and Culture
Semester Abroad: Fall 2024
What advice would you give to a student undecided about studying abroad? If you are undecided about going abroad, understand what is making you hesitant, and see if there is a program that you can compromise with. For example if you are hesitant about living with a host family, find which programs offer apartment-style or dorm housing. The same goes the other way, if you are hesitant about cooking and taking care of your own space on top of your studies, find a program where you can live with a host family. Similarly with other issues, if you are hesitant to spend a whole semester abroad, look into the shorter, summer programs.
Contact: rgkurie@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Living with a host family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Culture shock / Homesickness, First time abroad
Name: Meagan Hernandez ‘26
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Semester Abroad: Fall 2024 (Discovery Madrid, fall 2022)
What advice would you give to a student undecided about studying abroad? Going abroad can seem like a lot, whether it’s all the preparation necessary or the time away or the nerves for what it’s going to be like over there. But what drove me to study abroad twice was the knowledge that this is an experience that I will probably never have the opportunity for again, especially because I lived with host families. It was an opportunity to explore and get to know a country for months rather than the days or weeks of a standard vacation that I just could not pass up. Plus, it was an amazing reassurance that I was a part of a structured program with a support system in place if I ever needed anything. I would recommend to anybody that the study abroad experience is worth it, even if it’s just a short summer program. Trust me, it’s an experience you’ll never forget.
Contact: mherna43@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, First time abroad, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Selecting a program option
Name: Caylin Davids ‘26
Major: International relations, Geography
Semester Abroad: Fall 2024
What was your most valuable experience abroad? I traveled to Patagonia as a part of the program’s signature seminar, and it was amazing to see the region’s stunning landscapes through a boat tour and other activities. Patagonia had been on my bucket list for years, so I loved that I was finally able to go. The region is important to Chile’s economy and geopolitics due to its unique geography, and its glaciers are quickly melting as a result of climate change. Therefore, the trip was a valuable learning experience to see these processes firsthand and reinforce man of the subjects we had been learning about in class. I had also become very close with many of the other students in the program, so any chance to travel together was a lot of fun.
Contact: cedavids@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, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure
Name: Ella Roerden ’27
Major: Anthropology & International Relations
Semester Abroad: Spring 2025
What would you tell a student about studying abroad? Seize every opportunity study abroad gives you! The smaller programs like Santiago are filled with so many experiences that can change your life in ways you never imagined!
Contact: ebroerde@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, Living with a host family
Name: Ohemaa Absibuo ’27
Major: International Relations and Spanish
Semester Abroad: Fall 2025
What was your most valuable experience abroad? I worked on a research project with the Lender Center and the Tyler Center, and I had the chance to learn so much about victims of the Chilean dictatorship and research them in depth with archives from the museum that I interned at. I think that it was a great professional experience; I gained a lot of skills and now have a lot of knowledge on the dictatorship.
Contact: oaasibuo@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, Living with a host family, Race & Ethnicity, Selecting a program option
Name: Isabella Gardea ’27
Major: International Relations, Spanish Language, Culture, and Literature
Semester Abroad: Fall 2025
What was your most valuable experience abroad? One of the most valuable experiences in my host country was being able to intern with an organization named International IDEA, a group that promotes democracy and advocates for human rights around the world. I was able to do some research on some of the individuals and groups in Latin American countries that work to preserve electoral integrity and combat disinformation. I was also able to research new and proposed legislation in North American, European, and Latin American countries that work to prevent digital gender-based violence, which greatly affects women in politics. Both of these topics were extremely interesting to learn about and I was able to work with Chilean consultants on both of these projects, providing me with valuable professional experience and knowledge.
Contact: iagardea@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Selecting a program option, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, Health, safety, and support, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure
Name: Chandler McCoy ’26 (fall)
Major: Magazine, News and Digital Journalism
Semester Abroad: Fall 2025
What was your most memorable experience abroad? My most valuable and unforgettable experience in my host country was celebrating the Fiestas Patrias or Independence Day in Chile. This celebration offered me a deeper understanding of Chilean culture and national pride in a way that no classroom lesson could. Through traditional music, dancing, food, and shared community gatherings, I was able to witness how history and identity are actively celebrated and passed down through generations. Being immersed in the festivities allowed me to feel included in a cultural moment that was both joyful and deeply meaningful, strengthening my connection to the country and its people. Experiencing Fiestas Patrias firsthand highlighted the importance of cultural traditions in everyday life and reinforced the value of studying abroad as an opportunity to engage authentically with a culture beyond surface-level observations.
Contact: cmccoy07@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, LGBTQ+, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Race & Ethnicity
Name: Lauren Valadez ’27
Major: Anthropology, Spanish minor
Semester Abroad: Fall 2025
What advice would you give to a student going abroad? Take advantage of everything. Make new friends and go everywhere you want because it will not be as accessible as when you are abroad.
Contact: lavalade@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, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity