Meet the peer advisors
by Megan Henning, Global Buffs Gazette Editor
As much as the full-time staff love talking to students about studying abroad (it's why we work in this office after all), we know that prospective students would rather hear it from their peers. That's why each year we hire a team of fantastic student workers who serve as peer advisors in our office, and help thousands of students get started on their Education Abroad journeys. Meet this year's peer advisors!
Valentina Ishchenko
"I studied in Paris, France in Spring 2024 (
EAE Sciences Po Paris (Paris, France). The highlight of my abroad experience without a doubt was my end-of-year trip; two of my friends flew out and we went to Morocco and Greece! I rode camels, drove an ATV in the desert, and went on a boat tour in Santorini!
My favorite part of working in the Ed Abroad office is the office environment -- everyone is so welcoming and makes coming into work each day an incredibly positive and exciting experience! My advice may be a bit untraditional but ten times out of ten, I would recommend going abroad alone! I did not know anyone when I first went on my program, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I met amazing people and was able to immerse myself in French culture; being on my own was undeniably cataclysmic in my self-growth and world perception. After graduation, I plan to attend law school in California or Boston and pursue a career in immigration law!"
Brooke Moran
"I studied abroad at the University of Otago, Dunedin New Zealand during Spring of 2024 (
TEAN New Zealand: Dunedin University of Otago). The highlight of my study abroad was meeting so many amazing people and getting to learn about the culture in New Zealand. We were able to see stunning views of blue waters, landscapes, and gorgeous vineyards in the mountains. New Zealand is such a special place with so many good memories and amazing people surrounded around you! I love being able to help students reach their study abroad goals and allow them to feel less stressed out about the process of going abroad. The Education Abroad office is such a positive environment, and all the people working there are so kind and helpful. Studying abroad is a once in a lifetime experience! The people you meet and the time you have is so valuable! Going abroad is such a good time to try new things and take in every experience while you are there! Being immersed in a new culture and having the opportunity to learn and grow in a new place is truly special. I plan to graduate in May of 2025 and begin work in the environmental sustainability field! I definitely plan to continue to pursue my love of travel and cultural immersion post-grad, as well!
Luke Stumpfl
"I studied abroad in Nepal during Fall 2023 (
SIT Nepal: Kathmandu Tibetan & Himalayan Peoples) which was the year 2080 in the Nepali calendar and 2150 in the Tibetan calendar. I made great memories trekking in the Himalayas with my new friends. I also loved playing with the dog that lived on the roof of my homestay family’s apartment building with my homestay sister. My favorite thing about working in the Ed Abroad office is getting to know my coworkers and talking to students about all the possibilities for travel and experiential learning. If you are looking to study abroad, my advice is to ask questions to locals, have an open mind to various perspectives, and don’t be afraid to practice speaking another language. In the future, I hope to return to Asia to have fun learning more about life.
Noah Summers
"I studied in Valparaiso, Chile during the Fall and Spring of last year (on both ISA Chile: Valparaiso Spanish Language & Latin American Studies and SIT Chile: Valparaiso Cultural Identity, Social Justice & Community Development). Highlights of my experience were getting to live with rural indigenous communities and backpacking through Patagonia for a month. My favorite thing about working in the study abroad office is helping people find cool programs. My advice for someone looking to study abroad is to look at places that make you excited to go abroad. Now that I've explored a lot of Latin America, I want to explore more areas of the world!
