Major: Anthropology & German

Study Abroad Program: Würzburg, Germany Faculty-led and SIT in Tanzania

Why I wanted to be a peer advisor in Study Abroad: I wanted to be a peer advisor in study abroad because I love talking to people about what I love, and I loved studying abroad. I want to help students make informed decisions about studying abroad and help them have a wonderful, life-changing experience abroad.

International Experience: I studied abroad in Würzburg, Germany in the summer of 2011 and spent the spring of 2012 studying and backpacking through Tanzania. I have grown up traveling to India many times, which inspired me study abroad!

Major: International Relations and Global Studies

Study Abroad Program: Climate Change, Ecosystems, and Human Dynamics in Botswana

Why I wanted to be a peer advisor in Study Abroad: I wanted to be a peer advisor to share my love of travel and culture with other students. I think it’s important to step out of your comfort zone and into an entirely different way of life. It makes you better appreciate other cultures, as well as you own, and gives you skills you can utilize for life’s next adventure, whatever that may be. I want to help students find programs perfectly suited for them and be able to answer any questions they may have regarding study abroad. It’s an incredible opportunity to have and I want to make sure the entire experience is enjoyable and worthwhile.

International Experience: I traveled to Switzerland and France when I was eight, which spurred my love for travel. At sixteen, I studied and lived in Florence, Italy for a month during the summer and traveled throughout Italy. I went on the first faculty-led program in Botswana this past summer, and explored South Africa once the program ended.

Major: Government

Study Abroad Program: Anticipated 2013

Why I wanted to be a peer advisor in Study Abroad: I wanted to be a peer advisor to show my peers that anything is possible, even something as far fetched as studying in a completely different country. I want to continue encouraging myself and others to explore the world, meet new people, eat different foods, and learn about other cultures. I desire to fulfill my own dreams, and to help others fulfill theirs along the way.

International Experience: Born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley, I was less than two hours away from the Mexican border, but due to increased violence over the years, I have only ever visited Mexico once. It was definitely one of the most memorable and best experiences of my life.

Major: Multimedia Journalism

Study Abroad Program: DIS - Danish Institute for Study Abroad, Copenhagen

Why I wanted to be a peer advisor in Study Abroad: I really wanted to be a Peer Advisor in Study Abroad because I want to be a part of other students' study abroad experience and give the advice and encouragement that I received while preparing for my own study abroad journey.   I want to give back my time and efforts to the community that opened my world to travel and continued to support me throughout my semester abroad.

International Experience: Before studying abroad I had never left the country before.  While abroad, I lived and studied in Copenhagen, Denmark.  During my semester I also traveled to and experienced several different countries including Russia, Czech Republic, Italy, England, Spain, Germany, Belgium, and Sweden.

Major: Public Relations & African and African Diaspora Studies

Study Abroad Program: Community and Social Development Maymester Abroad in Accra, Ghana

Why I wanted to be a peer advisor in Study Abroad: I wanted to be a Peer Advisor because I wanted to reach out to students and give them helpful information about traveling and the rewarding experiences that studying abroad brings. It is SO important to travel and explore the world. There are many places to visit and resources available, and I wanted to make sure that students were able to get to where they wanted to go.

International Experience: Africa, Amsterdam & The Bahamas

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Study Abroad Program: Language, Culture, Business, Biology & Engineering in Santander, Spain

Why I wanted to be a peer advisor in Study Abroad: My experience abroad made me realize how important studying abroad is and inspired me to travel the world. I wanted to be able to help others experience it for themselves and this position allows me to do so.

International Experience: I studied in Spain for a summer and I have visited Italy, France, Holland, Belgium, Mexico, and Costa Rica.

Major: Advertising

Study Abroad Program: International Advertising in Hong Kong Maymester Abroad & AIFS Florence, Italy

Why I wanted to be a peer advisor in Study Abroad: I want to make a difference in this world. Studying abroad changes lives, and I'm willing to invest time and energy to guide each and every one of you to study abroad. There is no better way to learn than to take away concepts taught in the classroom and immediately apply them in the real world.  I aspire to share my travel experiences and life lessons I learned abroad with those are so close to the unknown.  I want to be a guru for those who have fears, concerns about money, and struggles with parents about going abroad.

International Experience: I studied and lived in Florence, Italy for a semester and in Hong Kong for a summer.  I have visited a total of 11 countries: Mexico, Hong Kong, China, Macau, Singapore, Thailand, England, Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Spain.

Major: Government & Psychology

Study Abroad Program: Anticipated 2013

Why I wanted to be a peer advisor in Study Abroad: I wanted to be a peer advisor to help students gain a great experience in studying abroad. Studying abroad is one of those once in a lifetime opportunities that you just can't ignore. I would like to encourage and guide my fellow peers to gain some educational experience from around the world.

International Experience: Mexico

Major: Neurobiology

Study Abroad Program: Evolution: An International and Cultural Perspective  in Seville, Spain.

Why I wanted to be a peer advisor in Study Abroad: I am peer advisor because I had some of the greatest times of my life abroad, and I'd like to give back to the program that made it possible. Studying abroad was amazing and helping to open that world to others is a fantastic opportunity.

International Experience: I have been to places as diverse as Costa Rica, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, Canada, Italy, the Caymans, Jamaica, Mexico, France, but I studied abroad in Spain. It feels like another home to me, and it is a place that I would love to go back to again some day.

Major: Government

Study Abroad Program: Language and Culture in Ankara, Turkey

Why I wanted to be a peer advisor in Study Abroad: Having traveled to Europe for the first time in my life this past summer (2012), I feel like I have more to give to students. I want to be able to share my experience with not only my friends, and family, but with my peers as well so that they might be inspired to seek out their own experiences.

Best advice for students planning to study abroad:Keep your mind open to new possibilities. Explore, push your boundaries, and try new things. What you get from your study abroad experience is what you put into it. Also, plan for the unexpected. Especially in airports.

Major: Journalism

Study Abroad Program: Full-year exchange: MICEFA in Paris, France

Why I wanted to be a peer advisor in Study Abroad: I had the fortunate opportunity to have been able to realize my dream of studying a year in Paris.  It was an incredible experience as I grew as a person while soaking in the French culture.  Being back stateside, I would like to take my passion for study abroad to educate other prospective students.  Studying abroad is an opportunity to challenge yourself and open the mind.  Therefore I believe all students should have the chance to experience such an incredible adventure.

International Experience: Since Paris was centrally located in Europe I had the opportunity to see much of western Europe as well as Hungary in eastern Europe.