Asia
Name: Nathan Czarnecki ’26
Major: Computer Engineering
Semester Abroad: Spring 2024
Program: Kansai Gaidai University
What would you say to a student undecided about studying abroad? Try everything in your power to be able to study abroad. There was never one moment where I regretted going abroad and I can confidently say it was the best time of my life. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that no one should let pass. It helped me become a more independent person and allowed me to be immersed in a different culture which I couldn’t have experienced without going abroad. My most unforgettable moments were experiencing Sakura season, seeing Mount Fuji, and traveling to Okinawa.
Contact: njczarne@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, First time abroad, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience,, Health, safety, and support, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Australia and New Zealand
Name: Yihua Huang ’27
Major: Sociology and Mathematics
Semester abroad: Spring 2025
Program: University of Queensland
What was your most unforgettable experience in your host country? Whale watching by boat on the Gold Coast!
Contact: yhuan216@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, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Name: Jayden Ramos ’26
Major: Economics and Applied Data Analytics
Semester abroad: Spring 2025
Program: University of New South Wales
What advice would you give to a student studying abroad? The best advice I’d give to any student going abroad would be to take advantage of any and all opportunities available. Studying abroad provides a once in a lifetime experience, where you have a huge amount of freedom and independence, as well as being surrounded by many like minded individuals of varying cultures and backgrounds, all while being immersed in a completely different environment and culture. Even grabbing a bite to eat can be a completely new experience, so the best thing to do is step out of your comfort zone and be open to anything that may cross your path, whether it be traveling, taking up new hobbies and trying new activities native to the country you’re in.
Contact: jramos16@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Cultural Immersion, Culture shock/Homesickness, First time abroad, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Health, safety, and support, LGBTQ+, Meeting Locals, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity, Selecting a program option, Staying in touch with friends & family.
Name: Catherine Durkin ‘26
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Semester Abroad: Fall 2024
Program: University of New South Wales
What advice would you give to a student studying abroad? Your mindset going into studying abroad is one of the most important parts. It’s vital to remember that the experience is only a couple months long, you’re not moving aboard forever, and reminding myself of that made me value my time in Australia more intentionally, as well as put any feelings of being homesick into perspective. Also being open to new experiences, friends, and learning about their culture enriches your time abroad.
Contact: cjdurkin@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Allergies & dietary needs, Culture shock / Homesickness, Disability resources, 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: Tova Fink ‘26
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Semester Abroad: Fall 2024
Program: University of New South Wales
What advice would you give to a student undecided about studying abroad? I would encourage them to think about their goals for university. Studying abroad provides many opportunities to grow both personally and professionally. While abroad, you will experience a new culture, meet people from around the world, and gain a new, broad perspective. These aspects of studying abroad will set someone apart in the job market, while also transforming their mindset. Going abroad provides newfound independence, curiosity, and adventure.
Contact: tefink@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Culture shock / Homesickness, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Selecting a program option
Europe
Name: Dylan Capan ’26
Major: Economics and International Relations
Semester abroad: Spring 2025
Program: CEA CAPA Barcelona
What advice would you give to a student studying abroad? The best advice I would give to any student preparing to study abroad is to go into the experience with an open mind and no set expectations. Some of the most meaningful moments come from the unexpected, so it’s important to embrace every opportunity and make the most of it. Whether that means enrolling in a class outside your comfort zone, trying unfamiliar foods, exploring your host city, or learning the local language to better connect with people, all of it contributes to a deeper, more authentic experience. I’d encourage students to be proactive in finding new ways to immerse themselves in the culture. Push yourself to go beyond what feels familiar, that’s where the real growth happens.
Contact: dcapan@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Allergies & dietary needs, Cultural Immersion, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Health, safety, and support, LGBTQ+, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Name: Emily Schroeder ’26
Major: Forensic Science and Psychology
Semester Abroad: Spring 2025
Program: CEA CAPA Prague
What was your most valuable experience abroad? Meeting new people and attending classes at a local university!
Contact: emschroe@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, Disability resources, First time abroad, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Health, safety, and support, LGBTQ+, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity, Selecting a program option
Name: Jordan Kristoff ’26
Major: Supply Chain Management and Applied Data Analytics
Semester abroad: Spring 2025
Program: DIS Copenhagen
What was your most valuable experience abroad? The most important lesson that I learn abroad was being independent and not having to rely on people for my own happiness. I went into the program thinking that I would make so many friends and I would have all these crazy adventures with them. While that did eventually happen, I had to discovery it for myself. I took solo trips and I had a great time. I made the most of it and I did what I wanted to do. The greatest thing about studying in Denmark was learning about the culture and why they are one of the happiest countries in the world. It’s no secret why they are. I spent the semester learning about the history through my Danish class and speaking with the Danes.
Contact: jhkristo@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Selecting a program option, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness
Name: Karen Monegro ’26
Major: Biology
Semester abroad: Spring 2025 (Fall 2023: Syracuse Florence)
Program: DIS Copenhagen
What advice would you give to a student studying abroad? Some of the things I would tell a student before going abroad is to be open to new opportunities and to go out of your comfort zone. Going abroad is a lot like your first semester of college where everything is new like the school, people, and the city. I think that saying yes to everything but also making sure to listen to your body is very important. Some students travel every single weekend or feel like they have to do something every day to make the most of their time abroad (which is amazing!), but I also think getting comfortable in the city you chose to study in is one of the most memorable parts. I would also advise to take as many pictures and videos as possible (even of the small moments).
Contact: kmonegro@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, Living with a host family, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity, Selecting a program option
Name: Maya Philips ’26
Major: Biology and Communication Sciences & Disorder
Semester abroad: Spring 2025
Program: DIS Copenhagen
What was your most valuable experience abroad? One of my most unforgettable experiences in Copenhagen was biking for the first time. My friends and I decided that we could not leave Copenhagen without hopping on a bike and living like the locals for a day, so we recently rented bikes for a day and rode around the city and in neighboring towns. From the moment I arrived in Copenhagen, I realized how important and common biking is in the city- I had seen students, parents with kids, elderly people, and businessmen on bikes every day. I was definitely hesitant to bike because all of the local bikers seemed so effortless, and I wasn’t aware of all of the street rules. After doing some research and talking to staff at DIS and locals in my building, I felt confident and ready to hop on a bike. I ended up having an awesome time! I felt like I was part of the city in a new way, moving alongside locals and seeing the city from a different perspective. The bike ride gave me a sense of freedom and independence, and it helped me connect more deeply with Danish culture.
Contact: maphilip@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Cultural Immersion, First time abroad, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Name: Cody Wade ’26
Major: Forensic Science and Biology
Semester abroad: Spring 2024 (Fall 2023: Discovery Florence)
Program: DIS Copenhagen
What advice would you give to a student studying abroad? Do not over pack and be ready to connect with new people and expand you ideas of the world. It is a life changing experiences that words struggle to encapsulate, you have to see it yourself.
Contact: cowade@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, 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: Grace Wu ’26
Major: Information Management & Technology and Policy Studies
Semester abroad: Fall 2024
Program: CEA CAPA: Barcelona (Short-term program: Mediterranean Food and Culture)
What was your most memorable experience abroad? Something really unique to Barcelona is the La Mercè festival in September. For a week I got to experience traditional Catalan activities through parades, dances, music, and art. All the entertainment was free and accessible throughout public areas of the city. It was a great supplement to my Catalan language course- I learned so much about the history, language, and traditions of Catalonia. It was wonderful observing how passionate the locals are and seeing how my efforts as a foreigner were appreciated. Another unforgettable experience: attending an FC Barcelona soccer game! The game day atmosphere and pride is out of this world.
Contact: gwu104@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Selecting a program option, Cultural Immersion, First time abroad, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity
Name: Julia Boehning ’26
Major: Magazine, News & Digital Journalism; Spanish Language, Literature, and Culture
Semester abroad: Spring 2025
Program: CEA CAPA Barcelona
What advice would you give to a student studying abroad? Like many others, I’d call my study abroad experience one of the best times of my college career — maybe even my life. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel lonely at times, especially at the start. Loneliness is a natural part of culture shock, and it’s incredibly common when adjusting to a new country and culture for four months. I’d encourage future study abroad students to be patient with themselves as they settle in, avoid putting pressure on themselves to make friends right away and — most importantly — try to reframe moments of loneliness as chances to explore and grow into yourself.
Contact: jmboehni@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: Nafisa Jeilani ’26
Major: Sociology
Semester abroad: Fall 2024
Program: DIS Copenhagen
What was your most valuable experience abroad? What I valued most from my host country is the friendships I made. While at Syracuse University, I have a good time in the classroom and engaging with academia. However, I was having a difficult time making long lasting friendships with my peers, and it began to take a toll on my wellbeing. When I went abroad, I met people who shared similar experiences to mine and were worried about making friends in Copenhagen, as was I. Together we coped and prospered through not only the challenges that you face while being in a foreign country, but the fear of isolation that you bring with you from your home university. The friendships I made abroad are what made the experience worth it, allowing me to have a support system that I never imagined was a possibility, and I will be forever grateful for them.
Contact: najeilan@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Cultural Immersion, Financing study away, First time abroad, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity, Religious life, Selecting a program option
Name: Katherine Pacini ’26
Major: Neuroscience, Psychology
Semester abroad: Fall 2024
Program: DIS Stockholm
What was your most valuable experience abroad? Living with a host family. I really got to experience Stockholm to the fullest and learn a ton of Swedish traditions that I would not have been able to experience if I was living in a student apartment. Abroad changed my life, which is an incredibly cheesy thing to say, but it is true. I have never been so involved in my own learning and development as a person. I feel that without my experience abroad, I would not have the same drive and passion for the topics I am interested in now.
Contact: kepacini@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: Ianne Veta ’26
Major: Physics, Earth Science
Semester abroad: Fall 2024
Program: DIS Copenhagen
What was your most valuable experience abroad? My most unforgettable experience in Denmark was traveling with my class to Mons Klint and Stevns Klint. These are beautiful white cliffs with bright blue water on the south side of the island, Zealand. This beautiful scene felt even more surreal as we were so unsuspecting to the beautiful landscapes that exist in Denmark. In addition to the unimaginable beauty, it was a unique academic opportunity. As an Earth Science major, my previous classes discussed the original evidence proving that dinosaurs were killed by an asteroid. This evidence was found in a rock layer in these cliffs in Denmark. So, I got to see firsthand the exact spot that I had seen pictures of in previous SU lectures, the exact spot where scientists found the proof. Lastly, traveling with my class provided me a perfect opportunity to make amazing friends, enhancing an already great experience.
Contact: ilveta@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, First time abroad, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Preparing for departure, Religious life, Selecting a program option
The Middle East