Name: Katherine Itoh ’23Major: Broadcast & Digital Journalism; International Relations
Semester Abroad: Fall 2021
Program: DIS Copenhagen
What would you say to a student who is undecided about going abroad? Don’t let your fear of the language barrier, the new environment, or the cultural differences hold you back. Studying abroad gave me a different lens through which to view the world around me and grow as a person. It was the best decision of my life and one I will cherish for years to come.
Contact: kritoh@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 ,Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Name: Katherine Braun ’23Major: Aerospace Engineering
Semester Abroad: Fall 2021
Program: University College Dublin
What would you say to a student who is undecided about studying abroad? It was a wonderful, once in a lifetime opportunity. I would highly recommend it to anyone who has the chance. There was so much to learn and see. Living in a different country allowed me to see the world from a new perspective and culture. I got to meet so many new people, see so many new places, and try all sorts of new food. I enjoyed going on day trips to various parts of the country, each with a new story to tell.
Contact: kebraun@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock/ Homesickness, First time abroad, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Preparing for departure
Selecting a program option
Name: Lillian Rhuda ’23Major: Bioengineering
Semester Abroad: Fall 2021
Program: University College Dublin
What advice would you give to a student before abroad? Research on the country you’re going to. It will help you pack everything you need and help you know what to expect. Things like the weather during the time of year you’re going, cultural celebrations or expectations, fun attractions to visit, nice restaurants, etc. Also, travel within the country you’re going to. A lot of people want to go to a new place each weekend but you get a better cultural experience if you can really get to know your host country.
Contact: lkrhuda@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, 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: Hannah Austgen ’23Major: Policy Studies, International Relations
Semester Abroad: Fall 2021
Program: Trinity College Dublin
What was your most unforgettable experience abroad?The most unforgettable experience in my host country was a bike ride I did by myself. I woke up early and took a train. I biked along the Waterford Greenway and it was so incredible.
Contact: htaustge@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family
Name: Kara Mueller ’23Major: Human Development and Family Science
Semester Abroad: Fall 2021
Program: DIS Copenhagen
What would you say to a student who is undecided about going abroad? For the homebodies, I enjoy being home and spending time with family, and sometimes even going four hours away to Syracuse can be a tough adjustment. However, don’t let this hold you back. Going out of your comfort zone may take some adjustment, but once you step off of the plane in your destination, you will realize you made the correct choice.
Contact: kjmuelle@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, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Religious life, Selecting a program option
Name: Lia Figurelli ’23Major: Sociology, Psychology
Semester Abroad: Fall 2021
Program: DIS Stockholm
What was your most valuable experience in your host country? I just realized how large the world is. I’ve never had an experience like this where I was able to really learn about different cultures and meet people from different corners of the world. DIS is really amazing because it emphasizes learning outside of the classroom, so you go with your core course to two different locations–one is a city in Sweden that is not Stockholm and one is a country in Europe that is not Sweden. I went to Gothenburg, Sweden and Athens, Greece with my positive psychology class.
Contact: llfigure@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Selecting a program option, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, Financing study away, First time abroad, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity
Name: Assul Larancuent ’23Major: Bioengineering
Semester Abroad: Fall 2021
Program: University College Dublin
What advice would you give a student before they go abroad? Put yourself out there do not be afraid to start the conversation first!
Contact: alarancu@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family
Name: Brooke Taffler ’23Major: Public Health
Semester Abroad: Spring 2022
Program: SIT India: Public Health, Gender, and Community Action
What was your most valuable experience abroad? Academically, my most valuable experience was working alongside an NGO in rural India completing my independent research project on women’s cancer outcomes. I was able to conduct primary research by interviewing female cancer survivors and local doctors and nurses. Culturally, my most unforgettable experience was playing Holi with my homestay family. We celebrated with their friends and family where everyone was singing, dancing, blasting Hindi music, throwing paint and water balloons, and eating street food. Both were equally enriching experiences that I will always be grateful I had the opportunity to participate in.
Contact: btaffler@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: Jayden Poellot ’23Major: Communications and Rhetorical Studies
Semester Abroad: Spring 2022
Program: CEA Prague
What was your most valuable experience abroad? My most valuable experience in my host country was learning the city and meeting the people around me. I built relationships with not just the people I lived with but the people in and around my community. For example being able to have a conversation with my local potraviny (grocery store) cashier along with other familiar faces at restaurants. I have felt like I belong in a community that I have only been in for a couple of months. It is extremely valuable to dive deep into the places where you live and learn about other people and have try to understand where they are coming from. Once you build these relationships than you can fully access your best abroad experience and help you grow as a person in an unfamiliar society.
Contact: jtpoello@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family
Major: Newspaper and Online Journalism
Semester Abroad: Spring 2022
Program: CEA Prague
What advice would you give a student studying abroad? Gain a basic understanding of the city and country you’re studying abroad in before leaving. This will be home for the next 3-4 months, so you don’t want to be entirely oblivious as soon as you step off the plane. Figure out how public transportation works, the basic phrases that will help you communicate with locals, and cultural nuances that will prevent you from committing a cultural faux pas. Locals tend to really appreciate you trying to communicate in their language, even if they’re aware you’re a foreigner and know you can only say “hello” and “goodbye”. Putting in the effort to understand their culture gains you some respect. Whether it’s through a guidebook or just online research, familiarize yourself with your study abroad destination.
Contact: cbmckeon@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Name: Nish Chowdhury ’23
Major: International Relations & Anthropology
Semester Abroad: Spring 2022
Program: CEA Barcelona
What advice would you give a student studying abroad? Expect to face some challenges when you first arrive such as loneliness, homesickness, and culture shock. Being in a New country you’ll be a bit disoriented by the new environment, but the best thing to do is to have patience. When I was in Spain I didn’t have friends for the first two months and everything around me felt so dull and unwelcoming. But then within time I made the best friends ever who I still talk to and had the greatest memories with. Patience is the main key to study abroad. At first it may seem a little scary, but within time everything eventually falls into place as long as you keep an open mind.
Contact: nichowdh@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, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option