Africa
Name: Miles Scherer ’27
Major: Environmental Sustainability & Policy and International Relations
Semester Abroad: Spring 2025
Programs: SIT Madagascar: Biodiversity and Natural Resources Management (Discovery Madrid & Santiago Center)
What would you say to a student undecided about studying abroad? It’s simple. Say “YES!” The best of experiences come when we force ourselves outside of our comfort zones. Even the consideration of going abroad is a testament to bravery and a curiosity just begging to be fed. There is nothing more rewarding and fulfilling than allowing that curiosity to flourish and having experiences that push the boundaries of our thought processes to their brink.
Contact: moschere@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, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Asia
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: Kaitlyn Holl ’27 (fall)
Major: Economics
Semester Abroad: Fall 2025
Program: University of Sydney
What was your most valuable experience abroad? The most valuable thing that I took from it was to get off my phone and actually start looking at everything, take in the moment because it was going by fast when I had my face in my screens, but when I got off of them, the days felt like they were going by a little slower, and I appreciated that. The most unforgettable experience I have was going to shows with friends or just going out with friends and experiencing a whole new thing with them.
Contact: knholl@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Culture shock / Homesickness, Disability resources, First time abroad, Preparing for departure
Europe
Name: Sean Thompson ’27
Major: Sociology
Semester Abroad: Fall 2025
Programs: DIS Copenhagen (Discovery Strasbourg & Madrid Center)
What advice would you give to a student studying abroad? I would offer advice on establishing a routine similar to the one based in the United States for the student as I believe it is important to keep a busy, yet still comfortable, lifestyle in the new environment.
I would also suggest interacting with as many locals of the host country as possible, and also speak about ensuring one takes on as many opportunities as one can comfortably do during their time out, as it is an amazing experience to try out new things in an unfamiliar area.
Contact: sthomp26@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, LGBTQ+, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity