Retriever Alumni Profiles

Meet Kara Gavin

Major: English

Studied Abroad in Brighton, England with USAV in the Fall of 2019

Fulbright Grantee Recipient 2023-2024 in Taiwan

Recipient of the 2019-2020 BUTEX (British Universities Transnational Exchange) Study Abroad Scholarship received for her creative writing piece on how abroad opportunities have contributed to the personal and professional development of alumni from UMBC.

They said they made it
And it was amazing
Breath-taking
Lifechanging

Gabi went to Panama, there her pursuits were waiting
Working with Latinx women, through this she understood
Reproductive health research would be her track for good

And Naomi went to Chile, said her first week was madness
But, as time went on,
She gave her Spanish tons of practice
Having to adapt, in fact, taught her “flexibility”
And, I have to tell you ‘bout my buddy Josh, in Italy
Doing “field research on monuments”, he roamed City Eternal
Even got published in a literary journal
A year later, still abroad, then on a Fulbright Commission;
Ooh, and Molly’s trip to China forced a change of Western vision

For Aliyah, it was difficult to fit the venture in
But with planning and advising, her goals came to life again
She said, “Most research groups are comprised of engineers from ‘round the world”
So her global study prepped her for her future, now unfurled.

I wonder if I too will have such great success…
I think I will, just like UMBC’s best

Gabriela Salas ‘19: https://news.umbc.edu/appreciate-the-differences-how-study-abroad-shaped-four-umbc-studentexperiences/
Naomi Martinez ‘17: https://humanitiesscholars.umbc.edu/chile-spring-2016/
Joshua Gehret ‘14: https://humanitiesscholars.umbc.edu/rome_2/
Molly Bradtke ’14: https://humanitiesscholars.umbc.edu/study-abroad/china/
Aliyah Smith ’19: https://news.umbc.edu/appreciate-the-differences-how-study-abroad-shapedfour-umbc-student-experiences/
Naomi Martinez ‘17: https://humanitiesscholars.umbc.edu/chile-spring-2016/

Meet Gabriel Wilkins

Track: Geography and Environmental Systems; Philosophy

Studied Abroad with The School For Field Studies in Kimana, Kenya in the Fall of 2019

Why did you decide to study abroad? To learn about and within a completely different setting and place, experience perspectives of life I would not easily find in the US, and gain some research experience.

How were your classes abroad different from your classes at UMBC? I was learning about an ecosystem and culture at once in the classroom and in the field talking to people who lived there. There was also much less time in the day to be used just to study, as we consistently had other activities planned or non-school work to help with.

What surprised you the most during your time abroad? The unfortunate and often unseen results that wildlife conservation has on local communities’ livelihoods, and our indirect role (as tourists) supporting that relationship.

What advice do you have for prospective study abroad students? Go somewhere that wasn’t the first place you thought of (like popular, American-dominated programs in the first world) and try as hard as you can to adapt to living somewhere else instead of remaking your home in another place. It will feel like a vacation often enough that your don’t need to try harder to make it one.

Meet Sofia Barrios

Track: Global Studies, Spanish/World Politics

Studied Abroad with CIEE Liberal Arts in Santiago, Chile in the Fall of 2019

Did you receive any study abroad specific scholarships? minority serving institution scholarship

What surprised you the most during your time abroad? the protests and the class unity and the way people organized conscientiously

What were the barriers you had to overcome to make this experience a possibility? Money

What advice do you have for prospective study abroad students? Write a journal

Meet Noah Wolcott

Track: Modern Language and Linguistics, Spanish

Studied Abroad with ISA Spanish Immersion in Barranquilla, Colombia in the Fall of 2019

Did you receive any study abroad specific scholarships? UMBC Study Abroad Ambassador Scholarship

Why did you decide to study abroad? Studying abroad has always been a dream of mine, and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t influence my decision to be a Spanish major just a little. I’ve never been big of traveling, rather integrating myself into new cultures and customs like a native. Studying abroad was the perfect opportunity to do just that while growing personally and academically.

How were your classes abroad different from your classes at UMBC? Classes have much less homework and assignments in Universidad del Norte. Your grade consisted of only 3-4 tests or assignments and that was it. Very stressful!

What surprised you the most during your time abroad? I was expecting to study alongside other Americans, but I didn’t realize there would be OTHER foreigners at Uninorte! There were 10 Americans and over a hundred europeans also studying at my university! It was so amazing to connect and bond with people of so many cultures and countries while exploring Barranquilla.

What were the barriers you had to overcome to make this experience a possibility? I’ve had pretty bad social anxiety all my life, and it was a big fear of mine that my reclusivity would ruin my one chance to live abroad. I pushed myself in more ways than ever before to ensure I was taking advantage of every moment and am so proud to have seen it all through with friends I know I’ll keep forever.

What advice do you have for prospective study abroad students? You are absolutely capable of doing this. There will be times when you feel like you’ve made a horrible mistake, but you need to stare those moments right in the face and choose to walk through them. There will always be a brighter future ahead.

Meet De’Jia Long-Hillie

Track: Global Studies/Political Science

Studied Abroad with Nanzan Exchange in Nagoya, Japan in the Fall of 2019

Did you receive any study abroad specific scholarships? Toshizo Watanabe Scholarship, Tanaka and Green Scholarship, AATJ Bridging Scholarship

Why did you decide to study abroad? I always wanted to visit Japan, learn the language, and meet the people. Study abroad was also a requirement for my major and UMBC scholars program.

How were your classes abroad different from your classes at UMBC? Electives were less vigorous. They had very little classwork and fairly easy final exams. Anyone could pass if they paid attention in class. Japanese class was better designed than the UMBC language course curriculum because the host school has better resources and more time to teach us.

What surprised you the most during your time abroad? Communication style definitely surprised me the most and I am still trying to process it. In Japan, when there is a conflict in daily social life, you have to ignore it. If you want to solve the problem to eliminate it, you will be frowned upon. As a UMBC campus leader and problem-solver, I had a very hard time adapting to this. It is better the “keep the peace” than it is to address issues.

What advice do you have for prospective study abroad students? Make copies of all vital documents in color and black and white before you depart. The school will try to nickel and dime you to make those copies with their overpriced machines. Also, check to see if you really need to go through the hassle of making a bank account.

Meet Jesse Tublin

Track: Computer Science

Studied Abroad with TEAN in Wellington, New Zealand in the Fall of 2019

Why did you decide to study abroad? To gain an international mindset of today’s world

How were your classes abroad different from your classes at UMBC? A lot more self reliant with a lot less of a support structure, harder work, harsher grades

What surprised you the most during your time abroad? There are a lot of things done only in America that the rest of the world doesn’t do, like refrigerating eggs or the metric system

What were the barriers you had to overcome to make this experience a possibility? My own anxiety, my parents’ anxiety

What advice do you have for prospective study abroad students? It will be the most fulfilling experience of your life, you will regret not going if you don’t go. Also, no matter how bad things get or how bad you feel, it will get better.

Meet Caleb Ruck

Track: Modern Languages and Linguistics (2-language path)

Studied Abroad on an Affiliate Program in Buenos Aires, Argentina in the Fall of 2019

What surprised you the most during your time abroad? How much I loved living in the city environment. I missed some aspects of my suburbs (my dogs, nature, the relative quiet) but loved the walk-ability of Buenos Aires and many other elements. I was also surprised with how… well everything went? I’d expected a roadblock or two (homesickness, or difficulty acclimating, or struggles with socializing) but the whole experience went super smoothly.

What advice do you have for prospective study abroad students? The biggest factor that made or broke a student’s study-abroad experience (based on my observations of classmates) was their living arrangement. Some programs only allow living with a host family, while others allow living in a shared student apartment. Consider both options! Also: you’re going to embarrass yourself, a lot. It’s fine, locals are (for the most part) super nice and eager to help.

Why did you decide to study abroad? It’s not required for my major but I felt like studying abroad was an essential component of the language-learning experience. I also just had the time and funds to do so, and who knows when I’ll have these kind of resources in the future? Most importantly, I wanted to get out of my comfort zone.

Meet Alyssah Dewing

Track: Modern Languages and Linguistics – Spanish

Studied abroad with Sol Education Abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina in the Summer of 2017

Why did you decide to study abroad? I love traveling and I wanted to immerse myself completely in Spanish culture.

How were your classes abroad different from your classes at UMBC? More emphasis on exploring the city and enjoying our adventure rather than hours of homework every night and endless amounts of papers. The classes were also more interactive with weekly field trips to museums and sites around the city.

What surprised you the most during your time abroad? It was amazing how comfortable I felt in another country. Other than the language spoken, it felt like just another big city you might find in the US.

What were the barriers you had to overcome to make this experience a possibility? People would take one look at me and immediately start speaking to me in English so I would answer back in Spanish every time.

What advice do you have for prospective study abroad students? Live in the moment and go on as many adventures as you can while you’re studying abroad.

Meet Andy Dove

Tracks: Anthropology and Health Administration and Policy, minor in Sociology

Studied Abroad with USAC in Cork, Ireland in the Summer of 2019

Why did you decide to study abroad? I wanted to study abroad to broaden my cultural horizons as well as to experience a new culture.

How were your classes abroad different from your classes at UMBC? They were more intense and the grades depended on just a few assignments which I was not used to.

What surprised you the most during your time abroad? I was able to separate myself from academic more than I do back here at UMBC.

What were the barriers you had to overcome to make this experience a possibility? I had to overcome the fear and anxiety about leaving home.

What advice do you have for prospective study abroad students? If you are even thinking about studying abroad I highly recommend going because it is a great and wonderful experience.

Meet Anna Kuligowski

Tracks: Global Studies and Economics

Studied Abroad at Swansea University in Wales, United Kingdom in the Spring of 2018

Why did you decide to study abroad? It was a requirement for my degree and it was always a goal of mine additionally.

How were your classes abroad different from your classes at UMBC? There was only one paper and one exam, lecture was usually only 1 day a week with a discussion for 50 minutes.

What surprised you the most during your time abroad? The comfort that I felt going anywhere by myself. Having so many opportunities to go outside and use Public transportation. Also the ability to go out almost every day of the week.

What were the barriers you had to overcome to make this experience a possibility? Just finding the best deal for my plane ticket.

What advice do you have for prospective study abroad students? Just to go with an open mind and don’t be afraid to do things by yourself.

Meet Anne Fuqua

Track: Graphic Design major, Japanese minor

Studied Abroad at J.F. Oberlin University in Tokyo, Japan in the Spring of 2018

Why did you decide to study abroad? To learn the language and culture

How were your classes abroad different from your classes at UMBC? There was less homework and more expectation to just study on your own time the material from class. I was a more relaxed class environment in some ways and more strict in others.

What surprised you the most during your time abroad? The lifelong friends I made over there. I did not expect to get close to so many people from so many different places in the USA and other countries and form such a bond.

What were the barriers you had to overcome to make this experience a possibility? Money difficulties

What advice do you have for prospective study abroad students? My advice is even if you do not have a vast skill in the language still go to that country because your language will improve a lot just from being there and experiencing life there. Do be scared to speak what you know of the language even if it’s not much.Many places are so happy to just hear you try and speak their language even if it is not perfect. Introduce yourself to everyone no matter who they are or where they are from because by doing so you will have friends from all over who you will share a bond with like no other. The last piece of advice is just to explore off the beaten path away from the more touristy areas(as long as its safe) and see places, not on the tour guide map. You will see the country in a whole new light.

Meet Ashley Kellogg

Track: Asian Studies

Studied abroad with ISA in Seoul, South Korea in the Fall of 2018

Why did you decide to study abroad? I’ve always wanted to travel outside of the country and since I’m learning Korean, I wanted to travel to Korea to get a more immersive experience.

How were your classes abroad different from your classes at UMBC? Honestly, I wished they were less separated; I spent most of my time in classes with other foreigners instead of people who were native to the country. Otherwise, the classroom experience wasn’t that different.

What surprised you the most during your time abroad? How absolutely easy it is to get around places; the public transportation is amazing in Korea! Also how cheap the food is and how there is always something to do for an affordable price.

What were the barriers you had to overcome to make this experience a possibility? Money was a big one for me. Money and my own self-esteem.

What advice do you have for prospective study abroad students? Stay determined, stay open minded, and put the work in! You’ll have to leave your comfort zone and you’ll want to join clubs to make as many friends as possible. Don’t stay in your dorm the whole time; get out and see what’s out there!

Meet Ayla Novruz

Track: Psychology

Studied abroad with AIFS in Prague, Czech Republic in the Spring of 2019

Why did you decide to study abroad?  The experience and the learning growth

How were your classes abroad different from your classes at UMBC? The classes were based on the work you put in with no extra help and guidance from teachers

What surprised you the most during your time abroad?  The relaxed and comfortable demeanor of the teachers.

What were the barriers you had to overcome to make this experience a possibility? The language of the country

What advice do you have for prospective study abroad students? Learn the basics of the language, make sure you have a safe place to hide your passport and cash/cards

Meet Bianca Da Silva

Received a UMBC Study Abroad Ambassador Scholarship. Read all about her experience in her Abroad Blog.

Tracks: French and Global Studies

Studied Abroad with AIFS in Cannes, France in the Spring of 2019

Why did you decide to study abroad? I decided to study abroad because it was always something I had wanted to experience and it was part of my Global Studies major requirement.

How were your classes abroad different from your classes at UMBC? The classes were a lot smaller but for a lot longer time. For example, the average class at UMBC is from 1-1.5 hours while in France it was 3-4 hours but once a week. There also wasn’t much homework as most classes were test based.

What surprised you the most during your time abroad? I think what surprised me the most was how well I adjusted to living abroad. By the end, I truly considered it my home.

What were the barriers you had to overcome to make this experience a possibility? Definitely the language, most people would try to speak English to us but we wanted to practice our French. Another barrier was just anxiety because thinking about living in another country is nerve-wracking but it is doable!

What advice do you have for prospective study abroad students? I would say to keep an open mind, explore and learn to become comfortable with the uncomfortable. Studying abroad is such a great experience and you will look back on it with amazing memories.

Meet Colin Hrenko

Tracks: Spanish, Arabic, Secondary Education

Studied abroad with API in Cádiz, Spain in the Fall of 2018

Why did you decide to study abroad? I am studying two languages and knew that I would need to have an experience in a country where one of them is spoken in order to reach the level of language that I needed.

How were your classes abroad different from your classes at UMBC? The classes were more lecture-based and attendance was not as heavily stressed. Also, online resources were well-utilized but not essential to the courses.

What surprised you the most during your time abroad? I was surprised by the lengths that professors and even other students will go to help foreign students.

What were the barriers you had to overcome to make this experience a possibility? This was my first time being outside of the U.S. and my first time traveling alone. I have also been working towards affording my experiences abroad, as my high school successes were what ultimately resulted in the UMBC scholarship that allowed me to afford this time.

What advice do you have for prospective study abroad students? I advise students to be prepared for a variety of situations and people. There will be people who are more than happy to help you when you are lost and there will be people who do not want to speak to you at all. There will be people who are happy to let you practice their language with you and there will be people who will only want to practice their English. People everywhere are generally good, but you need to be prepared for all types of situations.

Meet Delaney Debinski

Received a UMBC Study Abroad Ambassador Scholarship. Read all about her experience in her Abroad Blog.

Tracks: Theatre Studies and Psychology Major

Studied Abroad on an ISEP Exchange in Sydney, Australia in the Fall of 2018

Why did you decide to study abroad? I was ready to get out of my normal environment and routine by exploring what else the world has to offer. Studying abroad was an ideal way to continue with my education and my passion for travel. I think seeing the world can teach more than the traditional classroom, and seeing the world while studying in a classroom setting abroad was a perfect opportunity.

How were your classes abroad different from your classes at UMBC? Classes abroad were focused less on grades and more on widening your perspective. All of my units were once a week for about an hour, and they were all conversation and interaction based. I felt like the learning environment abroad was much more positive and independent-work focused.

What surprised you the most during your time abroad? I was shocked to hear that many of my international friends had studied abroad multiple times before their semester in Australia, and traveled around the globe. Plus, the type of studying was so independent and learning based- not grade based. Its most surprising how different the traditional American college experience is from the college experience of other international students.

What were the barriers you had to overcome to make this experience a possibility? I had to break the expectation of staying put by stepping outside my comfort zone and the comfort zone of others to make this experience possible.

What advice do you have for prospective study abroad students? I’d recommend that every student find a way to study abroad. It is more accessible than it may be perceived, and it is not an opportunity that should be passed up.

Meet Ethan Piercy

Track: Mechanical Engineering

Studied abroad on the UMBC Dawg Days Abroad Program in Bristol, England in the Summer of 2019.

Why did you decide to study abroad? The program I did was only available to incoming students, I tend to be shy and the program was a great way for me to force myself to meet people all while traveling another country.

How were your classes abroad different from your classes at UMBC? The classes abroad were much more relaxed, they were very student and experience oriented and we bonded with the professors in a way that we haven’t during on campus classes.

What surprised you the most during your time abroad? We were constantly busy and didn’t get very much free time or time to sleep, but I found myself looking forward to every day and I didn’t experience the extent of my exhaustion until the trip was over.

What were the barriers you had to overcome to make this experience a possibility? I faced a lot of anxiety, it was hard to leave the country with 29 people that you have never met before

What advice do you have for prospective study abroad students? Just go for it. It is scary, but go and explore.

Meet Gail Rye

Track: Modern Languages and Linguistics

Studied Abroad at Université Laval Foreign Language Education in Québec, Canada in the Summers of 2017 and 2018

Why did you decide to study abroad? To improve my French language skills

How were your classes abroad different from your classes at UMBC? They focused more on grammar than concepts

What surprised you the most during your time abroad? My ability to communicate in French

What were the barriers you had to overcome to make this experience a possibility? Finding a way to afford it, being able to take off work, and being away from my fiance for 5 weeks

What advice do you have for prospective study abroad students? Do not be afraid to do it! Go out and enjoy your time, but remember to be safe and not engage in dangerous behaviors or activities. Thanks the people who house you if you stay with a host family.

Meet Grace Cole

Received Honors Special Session Scholarship

Track: Biology

Studied Abroad on a UMBC Faculty-Led Program in Barranquilla, Colombia in the Summer of 2018.

Why did you decide to study abroad? I wanted to develop some independence

How were your classes abroad different from your classes at UMBC? They were much more relaxed and focused on learning as opposed to testing

What surprised you the most during your time abroad? How comfortable I was in a completely different life.

What were the barriers you had to overcome to make this experience a possibility? Money. Worries about safety.

What advice do you have for prospective study abroad students? Study abroad or out of your comfort zone in any way. If this specific opportunity doesn’t make sense, find one that does, because this experience was great. I definitely think that this was not only fun, but formative for me as a person.

Meet Ilona Nakshun

Track: Modern Languages & Languages with Spanish Focus

Studied abroad with AIFS Buenos Aires, Argentina in the Spring of 2018

Why did you decide to study abroad? The reason I wanted to study abroad was because I wanted to experience the culture of a Spanish-speaking country in order to use the language in a specific context. In general, I wanted to improve my speaking skills in normal everyday life and in an academic setting. Since I chose not to live with a host family and I don’t live on campus at UMBC, I wanted to become more independent and take care of myself in day to day life. That’s why I chose to live in a residence hall with other students.

How were your classes abroad different from your classes at UMBC? No blackboard or anything similar. Work given put in class and work handed in during class. Teachers don’t have office hours. Met a teacher in the cafeteria of the school when I had a private meeting with her.

What surprised you the most during your time abroad? Different aspects of the culture. Learning the dialect of Spanish spoken in Buenos Aires and the slang that comes with it.

What were the barriers you had to overcome to make this experience a possibility? Learning to understand their dialect and using their words for certain things sometimes. Overcome people’s stereotypes and expectations of Americans and Russians as well (I was born in Russia).

What advice do you have for prospective study abroad students? Be open-minded and put yourself out there to meet new people and do well in school. But it’s important to find a balance between school, contacting friends/family back home, and exploring your new city.

Meet Jacob Schubbe

Track: Mechanical Engineering

Studied Abroad on an UMBC Exchange in Galway, Ireland in the Fall of 2017

Why did you decide to study abroad? A majority of the reason I wanted to study abroad stemmed from learning Russian during college and by being exposed to Russian culture, I wanted to experience more culture. It made me realize that there was so much more in life to experience and so I wanted to try something outside of my comfort zone. Because it was the first time that I left the country, I acquired a new sense of independence and got to meet people from all over Europe, which allowed me to learn some about their country and traditions.

How were your classes abroad different from your classes at UMBC? Many of them were self-study. By this, I mean that they did not assign homework so they relied on you taking the initiative to pick practice problems or to find what you needed to read about. They also expected you to read for the next lecture before class, in order to learn some about it and then ask questions in class (although UMBC wants us to do that, many students do not do it). Also, at NUIG, all the final exams took place in large lecture halls with assigned seats and proctors. It was possible to have multiple exams in the same rooms as well. Some final exams even counted for 100% of your grade. This was rare it seemed, but one of my five courses was this grading scheme.

What surprised you the most during your time abroad? My ignorance about foreign people, traditions, and way of life. The US is so fast paced and in Galway, things are much more relaxed during the day, but lots of commotion and fun at night. Also, life without a car is so different for me as I always drive places, but while abroad, I walked everywhere for everything, including walking for my groceries and carrying them all back. Of course, there were buses and cars for groceries, but I found walking was a more healthy option (and many people in Europe seem to be fit)

What were the barriers you had to overcome to make this experience a possibility? Starting the application process. Going to the first study abroad session, Study Abroad 101. Learning that it can cost the same, or pretty similar, to study abroad (I spent extra by traveling, but other than that, the cost of a UMBC exchange is that same)

What advice do you have for prospective study abroad students? Become engaged as much as possible. It will make your time there much more enjoyable. After you are done studying abroad, look immediately for the next opportunity to study abroad (look at the Fulbright program–I wasn’t told about this until after I returned so I missed the deadline for it and applied for the next cycle). Start saving money NOW. You will want as much as possible to eat out with friends or to travel. You’ll thank yourself later for saving money 🙂

Meet Laura Newman

Received a Political Science Study Award

Track:Political Science

Studied Abroad on a UMBC Faculty-Led Program in Barranquilla, Colombia in the Summer of 2018

Why did you decide to study abroad? Improve my Spanish

How were your classes abroad different from your classes at UMBC? Many more environment- based studies and experiences.

What surprised you the most during your time abroad? The food was not great. But, I found if I went out and bought snacks or dinner, I had a better experience and enjoyed what I ate.

What advice do you have for prospective study abroad students? Have fun!!! Don’t be afraid to practice a foreign language. The most important thing is to try.

Meet Lauryn Hoppers

Tracks: Computer Science and German

Studied Abroad with USAC in Lüneburg, Germany in the Fall of 2018

Why did you decide to study abroad? I started learning German in ninth grade and from that point, I had dreamed of going to Germany and living there and experiencing the culture. In 2015, I had the opportunity to do a 12 day tour of Germany, France and Spain, so I was able to get a glimpse of the culture. I continued learning German and declared it as my minor and even with an Engineering major, I made it work with my graduation plan no matter what hardships that would bring on (stepping away from my major for a semester). I also was able to watch and see how my sisters grew as people as they both studied abroad for a semester as well, and being the youngest, I wanted to grow up and follow in my sisters’ footsteps.

How were your classes abroad different from your classes at UMBC? My classes were really not that different from my classes at UMBC. My program was set up as an American Fall semester, so unfortunately we took courses as a group and were not integrated with the German students at the university. We had the same layout to our courses as we do here in the US. The main difference was how small the classes were – my largest class consisted of 8 students and my smallest consisted of 3.

What surprised you the most during your time abroad? The most surprising part to my time abroad was how easy it was to travel with public transportation. I am not used to using public transportation, so was skeptical of how good the transportation would be. Using buses around the city was easy – being a smaller city, it took a matter of minutes to get from one place to another. Traveling to different parts of Germany or other countries was very quick and easy (most of the time) – just hop on a train and go.

Meet Lindsey Green

Tracks: History and Secondary Education

Studied Abroad with USAC in Palmerston North, New Zealand in the Fall of 2018

Why did you decide to study abroad? Study Abroad has always been a goal of mine because each country in the world has a distinct and rich history. Thus, going to New Zealand gave me an opportunity to study the unique culture and historic colonization of the island. I also wanted to study abroad because it gave me a chance to connect with and make friends with people from all over the world.

How were your classes abroad different from your classes at UMBC? The classes I took abroad were different from those at UMBC because they all had only a few assignments which meant that certain papers were worth 40% of my grade. This structure gave me more time to work on each assignment, but it made them all vital to my success. Additionally, many of my classes abroad were recorded and streamed to other campuses in New Zealand so we could hear and interact with people across the country.

What surprised you the most during your time abroad? New Zealand is the most beautiful country that I have ever experienced. There are mountains covered in lush green grass for miles in any direction and the lakes and streams are a clear blue color. I was truly surprised by the majesty of the scenery and how the small population makes most places seem remote and open.

What were the barriers you had to overcome to make this experience a possibility? The biggest barrier of course was having the money to finance the trip. The Humanities Scholarship helped with this, but it was still a matter of budgeting and handling all the money.

What advice do you have for prospective study abroad students? One piece of advice I have is to start the process very early because you want to allow yourself enough time to thoroughly research the country you want to visit and fill out all applications meaningfully. Also, meet with your advisors as many times as you need because they are very good resources.

Meet Madeline Dement

Received an AIFS scholarship

Track: Global Studies & Political Science/Spanish

Studied Abroad with AIFS in Buenos Aires, Argentina in the Spring of 2019

Why did you decide to study abroad?  I wanted to immerse myself in another language and culture in order to reach fluency in Spanish and learn more about myself and the world around me.

How were your classes abroad different from your classes at UMBC?  My classes abroad were less organized than those at UMBC. The syllabi weren’t really followed at all, and classes would often begin 10 or 15 minutes late. That said, the professors were all very knowledgeable and passionate about their subjects.

What surprised you the most during your time abroad? I was so surprised and pleased my the amount of people I met and friends I made from all over the world! I lived in a shared apartment with around 14 other people from all over the world. It was amazing to be able to learn not only about the country that I was in, but to also learn about so many other places and cultures are the world.

What were the barriers you had to overcome to make this experience a possibility? My barriers were primarily financial. I applied for and received a number of scholarships, and I also applied for a grant specific to my scholars program at UMBC. Together, these things made it financially possible for me to spend my semester abroad. Picking a country to study in where the US dollar goes a long way was also very helpful.

What advice do you have for prospective study abroad students?  Step out of your comfort zone! Study abroad can be so rewarding and can teach you so much about yourself. Everyone that I know who studied abroad came out of the experience so much more confident and sure of themselves than they were when they went into it. Stepping out of your comfort zone has that effect!

Meet Maggie Meesuk

Track: Biology

Studied abroad with ISA in Bangkok, Thailand in the Fall of 2018.

Why did you decide to study abroad? To be able to explore outside of the country for a few months

How were your classes abroad different from your classes at UMBC? My classes did not have as much structure and they only had one or two tests or graded assignments. Many professors did not tell you what grade you received on the assignments and there was no way to check how you were standing in the class before the final.

What surprised you the most during your time abroad? How safe and comfortable I felt in the area where I stayed and how easy it was to make friends with other Thai and international students

What were the barriers you had to overcome to make this experience a possibility? I had to get my academic advisors to sign off on courses I needed for my major which took three months and take a summer course to stay on track.

What advice do you have for prospective study abroad students? Talk to other people who have studied abroad before and take their advice and be organized through the whole time with knowing what classes you need, financial aid, scholarships and follow up with people.

Meet Miriam Newman-Marshall

Track: Asian Studies, Japanese minor

Studied abroad at J.F. Oberlin University in Tokyo, Japan in the Spring of 2017

Why did you decide to study abroad? I had a strong interest in Japanese language and culture. It was also required to graduate from my degree.

How were your classes abroad different from your classes at UMBC? They were held with international students which caused some language communication and cultural issues. Teaching style was very different as well.

What surprised you the most during your time abroad? How at home I came to feel in terms of going about my everyday life, ex. paying bills, grocery shopping, trash sorting, etc

What were the barriers you had to overcome to make this experience a possibility? Financial, I had to figure out a way to get there without breaking the bank, and how to pick my classes so I would graduate when I wanted to.

What advice do you have for prospective study abroad students? Keep an open mind! I did a lot of last-second unplanned traveling, which is completely out of my comfort zone, and those are by far the best experiences I had during my study abroad.

Meet Olubusola Opesanmi

Tracks: English Major, Biology Minor and Creative Writing Minor

Studied Abroad with the UMBC Faculty-led Wales Creative Writing Program in the Summer of 2017

Why did you decide to study abroad? I was looking for an experience that would couple learning with my love of travel. When this opportunity came along I knew I had to take it because it fit in perfectly with my major and minor.

How were your classes abroad different from your classes at UMBC? The classes were a lot smaller and more relaxed which allowed for a more honest, in-depth discussion.

What surprised you the most during your time abroad? The immense amount of green. The landscape is wonderfully beautiful and lush.

What advice do you have for prospective study abroad students? Have fun. Take the opportunities that present themselves and use the experience as a means to learn about a different culture. But remember why you’re visiting and don’t forget that you’re a guest at the end of the day.

Meet Pat Michael

Track: Global Studies and Math majors, Computer science minor

Studied abroad on the ISA Barranquilla Program in Colombia in the Spring of 2018

Why did you decide to study abroad? I wanted to have a cross cultural educational experience and also learn about a new culture.

How were your classes abroad different from your classes at UMBC? They did not start on time and were much more flexible. Also most of them were taught in Spanish.

What surprised you the most during your time abroad? The amount of differences there are in the culture

What were the barriers you had to overcome to make this experience a possibility? Adapting to cultural norms and dealing with conflict.

What advice do you have for prospective study abroad students?  Be flexible, be open to new things, and explore.

Meet Pooja Singh

Received an SIT Study Abroad scholarship

Tracks: Biology and Global Studies

Studied Abroad with SIT in Delhi, India in the Fall of 2018.

Why did you decide to study abroad? I have studied abroad before and it was one of the most incredible experience I have ever had. I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to have a more immersive learning experience both academically and personally. Also, even though I am well aware of Indian culture and language, I wanted to live in the culture and experience it first hand, and better understand local context and people’s perspective.

How were your classes abroad different from your classes at UMBC? I have done many research papers on India and Nepal about health and social issues while at UMBC. However, I think to be on the site and to be able to see and interact with the community that I was studying about allowed me to dig deeper and have a more practical learning experience. It allowed me to critically analyze and compare the learnings from my observations and the theoretical material.

What surprised you the most during your time abroad? The disparity between what I had heard about India, my expectation, and the reality. Also, the realization of the fact that India is so diverse. I went to the desert and to the mountains, I met people who did not speak Hindi, but only the local languages.

What were the barriers you had to overcome to make this experience a possibility? The biggest barrier for me was the cost of the program. I am glad that I looked into scholarships and applied.

What advice do you have for prospective study abroad students? To get out of the comfort zone and try to experience as much of the local culture and to connect with local people.

Meet Romi Pal

Track: Global Studies major and Political Science minor

Studied Abroad in London in the Spring of 2018 at the American Institute for Foreign Study

Why did you decide to study abroad? I decided to study abroad because I wanted to experience how the rest of the world views international issues, as opposed to how the United States views them. The United States is one of the most powerful countries that makes influential decisions that affect current events, so it is necessary to observe how other nations play a role in daily events. In addition, I wanted to go out of my comfort zone to adapt to a new culture and way of life.

How were your classes abroad different from your classes at UMBC? The number of people in my classes were much smaller. Because I attended an international university, many of my classmates were from all over the world and that provided an interesting perspective on the topics we discussed in my classes.

What surprised you the most during your time abroad? How efficient and quick the transportation system is in London.

What were the barriers you had to overcome to make this experience a possibility? I definitely battled homesickness, and missed my friends and family very much during the first week

What advice do you have for prospective study abroad students? Go with an open mind, and take every opportunity to explore your new home! Also, traveling with new friends always brings amazing experiences.

Meet Sandra Azobi

Tracks: Global Studies and French Language

Studied abroad with USAC in Pau, France in the Fall of 2018

Why did you decide to study abroad? I decided to study abroad because it is a requirement I had to fulfill as a Global Studies major. Also, studying abroad gave me the opportunity to improve on my French language skills.

How were your classes abroad different from your classes at UMBC? My classes abroad required me to push myself because I had to speak in French in order to participate in class, which was a challenge for me because French is not my first language, but with time I improved on my speaking.

What surprised you the most during your time abroad? I was surprised by how fun it could be to take classes in a different country while enjoying your time there. Also, I was surprised by how well I adjusted to everything.

What were the barriers you had to overcome to make this experience a possibility? I had to step out of my comfort zone multiple times. It was challenging but it was worth it.

What advice do you have for prospective study abroad students? I advice prospective study abroad students to be open-minded, to take lots of pictures, and to get ready to learn and try new things. It’s certainly a different experience that you will be glad you did.

Meet Sianna Serio

Tracks: Computer Science, French

Studied abroad on the UMBC Dawg Days Abroad Program in Bristol, England in the Summer of 2019.

Why did you decide to study abroad? I enjoy any opportunity to travel abroad and explore new places and cultures, especially if I get the benefit of learning in the process.

How were your classes abroad different from your classes at UMBC? The class was much farther from the dorms where we stayed so we had to walk through the city often to get there. Because of the short duration of the trip, we did not have any quizzes but instead had a spoken exam at the end with the professor.

What surprised you the most during your time abroad? It surprised me how much we were able to learn in only a short amount of time. It also surprised me how close our group got and how well we all were able to get along.

What were the barriers you had to overcome to make this experience a possibility? Cultural differences and navigating around a foreign city/cities

What advice do you have for prospective study abroad students? Always be punctual to activities/meeting times if you are with a group, and always be sure to experience the culture wherever you go. Please manage your time wisely and be aware/adaptable to cultural differences. Remember your common sense and stay safe!

Meet Suhani Mendpara

Tracks: Global Studies and Bioinformatics

Studied Abroad on a UMBC Faculty-Led Program in Barcelona, Spain in the Summer of 2019

Why did you decide to study abroad? I decided to study abroad because it’s something that I have always wanted to do. I have always loved travelling and learning about different cultures and societies so studying abroad was the perfect opportunity for me to accomplish that dream of mine. This isn’t just some simple vacation and tourism trip, this is about being completely immersed into another culture and lifestyle. It’s such a great way to learn by being surrounded by the people of an entirely different culture and society and you learn so much more in this environment.

How were your classes abroad different from your classes at UMBC? My classmates abroad were almost just like my classmates at UMBC. Everyone was so dedicated to the class and we always helped each other out whenever help was needed.

What surprised you the most during your time abroad? The thing that surprised me the most was just a different cultural norm from what we’re experienced to. For example, their mealtimes are different and there’s no free water.

What were the barriers you had to overcome to make this experience a possibility? The major barrier that I had to overcome was the language barrier. I do speak a little bit of Spanish enough where people will understand what I’m trying to say, and I understand the majority of what people say as well. But being able for myself to communicate in other language was the most difficult thing, just because I haven’t had a lot of practice speaking in Spanish but I think studying broad gave me a good opportunity to practice more.

What advice do you have for prospective study abroad students? The best advice I can give to students is to be open. Be open and what you’ll experience and see. Just because something is different, doesn’t mean it’s the wrong way. Sometimes it seems like a struggle and it might be difficult, but that’s because you aren’t accustomed to it, but being open and willing will help you overcome everything. Another thing is to always try new things, even if it’s not something that you normally do. Try it out, experience a new life and new things and you’ll be the better for it. Get out of your comfort zone a little bit and just do it for the experience. The last thing I was to advise is to stay focused on your schoolwork as well. I know that studying abroad is exciting and there’s so much to do, but you’re also there for school so stay focused. I promise that you’ll have time to do both schoolwork and explore so much!

Meet Wesley Ross

Track: Music Technology

Studied Abroad on a UMBC Faculty-Led Program in Barranquilla, Colombia in the Summer of 2019.

Why did you decide to study abroad? To see how culture is different in other countries. Also, to improve my language skills.

How were your classes abroad different from your classes at UMBC? The classes were more difficult. The exams were harder than the course material.

What surprised you the most during your time abroad? The lifestyle of the people that live in Colombia.

What were the barriers you had to overcome to make this experience a possibility? Being comfortable telling people that I didn’t understand them/asking them to repeat or speak slower.

What advice do you have for prospective study abroad students? Do it and don’t be afraid to explore the world.

Meet Andrew Knight

Track: Computer Science

Studied Abroad on an ISEP Exchange Program in Seoul, South Korea in the Spring of 2022.

Why did you decide to study abroad? I wanted to experience life outside of the US on my own and prove to myself that I could adapt and thrive in new and unfamiliar environments.

How were your classes abroad different from your classes at UMBC? The classes were extremely different. The classes were entirely online but as opposed to when UMBC was online where teachers made efforts to still encourage class interaction by having discussions, discord servers, etc. None of my classes abroad made this attempt, there was little time to even ask questions during lecture.

What surprised you the most during your time abroad? The number of friendships I made that I think will be long lasting.

What were the barriers you had to overcome to make this experience a possibility? Quitting my job, finding a summer internship that would fit my timeline, falling behind on graduation.

What advice do you have for prospective study abroad students? Despite the challenges I had to overcome this experience was entirely worth it and I would do it again in a heartbeat. There’s nothing like the feeling of accomplishment you get from jumping headfirst into a new situation and being overwhelmed at first by slowly adapting and thriving, it’s a proud moment for sure. The people you will meet will change your perspectives and you will come out of it with a more holistic life view.

Meet Sarah Ebrahimi

Received a UMBC Study Abroad Ambassador Scholarship. Read all about her experience in her Abroad Blog.

Track: Global Studies

Studied Abroad with USAC in San Sebastián, Spain in the Summer of 2022.

Why did you decide to study abroad? I wanted to get my last Spanish credits abroad.

How were your classes abroad different from your classes at UMBC? They were much more work than my classes at UMBC.

What surprised you the most during your time abroad? They gave us very little free time to explore the city and surrounding areas.

What were the barriers you had to overcome to make this experience a possibility? I had to get over my fear of being in an unfamiliar learning environment.

What advice do you have for prospective study abroad students? Thoroughly read the reviews of the program that other students wrote within the year you will be going.

Meet Kristin Bechtel

Track: Modern Languages, Lingustics, & Intercultural Communication – French & Korean

Studied Abroad with USAC in Pau, France in the Spring of 2022.

Why did you decide to study abroad? I wanted to improve my confidence in speaking French and have more experience with French culture.

How were your classes abroad different from your classes at UMBC? Probably the way they were organized. Instead of signing up for specific classes (other than the USAC electives), we got put in groups based on level and the two-hour content courses (song, cinema, and literature) were more like supplements to the 10hr/week language intensive course that was split between two teachers and wasn’t at a consistent time.

What surprised you the most during your time abroad? Thinking about it, this makes sense but it didn’t really dawn on me until I started class. I think I kind of assumed that my classes would mostly be with traditional college students who were spending a semester abroad from other countries like myself, but I was actually in class mostly with adult students who were returning to school specifically to work on their French because they were actually living in France.

What were the barriers you had to overcome to make this experience a possibility? Getting approval to go abroad while Covid-19 was still an active concern.

What advice do you have for prospective study abroad students? If you want something to happen, you have to make it happen.