Name: Ricky Maleczka ’25
Major: Secondary Spanish Education
Program: Santiago Center
Semester abroad: Fall 2023
Home university: Wake Forest University
What was your most valuable experience abroad? The most valuable experience I had in my host country was the friendships and individuals I met along the journey. I went to South America not knowing a single person, and I left with friendships and connections I truly could never have imagined. To begin, the host family I lived with was fantastic, and I am beyond glad to have had the opportunity to live with a local family. This brand-new family quickly turned into a household that watched over me with love and care. The transition was quick and welcoming, and I am thankful to have met them. Additionally, my peers in the program were at first strangers but almost instantly became a community. Although nervous at first about the new students, the experience of meeting these new peers and sharing stories was one I will never forget. Finally, the professors I met along this journey have had a lasting impact and were unforgettably supportive. They were not just professors but mentors and family, and they made the scary switch from the United States to Chile easy and enjoyable. This experience of meeting new individuals in a foreign country has had a significant impact on me and will be a memory I will forever remember.
Contact: rmaleczk@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, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Name: Caroline Cassell ’24
Major: Sociology and Gender and Sexuality Studies
Program: Florence Center
Semester Abroad: Fall 2022
Home university: Bates College
Why did you choose to study abroad? In Italy, I pushed myself to be a risk-taker, I jumped an Italian level, conversed with random Italians on the streets, and even worked in an Italian bookstore. Looking back, these were some of the best moments of my experience, and I am so grateful I left my comfort zone despite how intimidating it was in the moment. You too have an opportunity to take a chance, and have something amazing come out of it. While there may be many unknowns about going abroad, through the experience you will learn so much about yourself, and grow your confidence to handle life’s changes. Make the decision that feels right to you, but don’t let fear stop you.
Contact: ccassell@bates.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language
Name: Caleb Schwarz ’24
Major: French
Program: Strasbourg Center
Semester Abroad: Spring 2022
Home university: LeMoyne College
What was your most valuable experience abroad? The community aspect of the Strasbourg program was my favorite part. I grew so close to the other students in my program and I felt like a true Strasbourgeois by the end of the semester! The time spent in my internship was incredibly rewarding and I truly will never forget it. I also got to spend time with some friends near Toulouse which was amazing!
Contact: schwarcj@lemoyne.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family
Name: Emily Balog ’24
Major: Environmental Geography, French minor
Program: Strasbourg Summer program – French for Diplomacy
Semester Abroad: Summer 2023
Home university: Colgate University
Why did you choose to study at Syracuse Strasbourg? Summer 2023 IPA Community Internships in Strasbourg, French for Diplomacy: I worked as a teacher’s assistant for a classroom with 6-8 year old French children, and my French improved a ton during my time there. It also helped give me insight into maybe pursuing primary education as a career, something I wasn’t expecting in the slightest. Living in a foreign country can be extremely intimidating, but know you’re not alone. Everyone with you at the SU Center is in the same boat, and it’s a learning experience for everyone! Staff is there to support you as you learn to navigate your new environment, and your host family is there for you, too.
Contact: ebalog@colgate.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Adjusting to a foreign language, Selecting a program option, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure
Name: Olivia Bangs ’24
Major: Computer Science and Political Science
Program: Florence Center
Semester Abroad: Spring 2023
Home university: Trinity University
What was your most valuable experience abroad? My most valuable experience was living with a host family. I think they played a large part in me not being homesick. Each night we would eat my host mom’s authentic Tuscan cooking and discuss our days in Italian. They were always eager to know what new thing I had discovered in the city that day and how school was going. My host parents were really kind and helped me navigate life in Italy in a way that I don’t think I would have had otherwise.
Contact: obangs@trinity.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, Preparing for departure
Name: Megan Robertson ’24
Major: Anthropology and Classics
Program: London Center
Semester Abroad: Fall 2022
Home university: University of Colorado Boulder
What was your most valuable experience abroad? My most unforgettable experience in the United Kingdom as walking along Hadrian’s Wall. This was not a location that many of the other students on the program thought of or even knew about. Since I had already experienced solo traveling, I was excited to go. As a Classics major, this was a top spot on my travel list. I got to visit Housesteads Roman fort and walk along the wall before exploring Newcastle and seeing the remnants of Rome in British cities.
Contact: mero3627@colorado.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, Financing study away, First time abroad, Health, safety, and support, Preparing for departure