 | Alyssa Barnum
Area of Study: Marketing & International Business
Where I studied abroad: Dublin, Ireland and Auckland, New Zealand
About Alyssa: Hi! I'm Alyssa Barnum, a Marketing and International Business student. I've studied abroad in both Ireland and New Zealand, and those experiences have shaped a huge part of who I am today. They pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me love learning about new places and people. I am super excited to help other students feel supported and inspired as they start their own study abroad journeys!! |
 | Ashlee Espinoza
Area of Study: Natural Resource Management, Global Environmental Sustainability, Spanish
Where I Studied Abroad: Alicante, Spain
About Ashlee: Hello! I’m a fourth year student majoring in Natural Resource Management in the Warner College of Natural Resources, with minors in Global Environmental Sustainability and Spanish. In the Spring of 2025, I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad at the University of Alicante in Spain through the USAC program. While there, I completed all the credits for my Spanish minor and immersed myself in the local language, and culture. I also had the chance to travel throughout Spain and across several countries in Europe, which helped broaden my global perspective and deepen my appreciation for intercultural communication. My time abroad challenged me to grow both personally and academically. I strengthened my Spanish language skills, developed adaptability and independence, and got to participate in cooking classes, volunteer projects, and language exchange partnerships. As a peer advisor, I am very excited to help other students find programs that align with their academic goals and personal interests, to make their abroad experience as fulfilling and enriching as mine was. |
 | Bella Conrad
Area of Study: Ecosystems Science and Sustainability
Where I Studied Abroad: Bocas del Toro, Panama
About Bella: Hi! My name is Bella, and I am a third-year student studying Ecosystem Science and Sustainability. I studied abroad in Bocas del Toro, Panama with the School for Field Studies in the summer of 2024. I met so many incredible people, learned how to do marine and terrestrial field work, and got to practice my Spanish skills. I am incredibly passionate about travel, spending time outside, and learning with other cultures. My time in Panama not only furthered that passion but also changed my life in many ways. As a peer advisor, I hope to help students explore their options for studying abroad and support them every step of the way. |
 | Ella Banham
Area of Study: Art
Where I Studied Abroad: Florence, Italy
About Ella: Hi! My name is Ella. I am a senior working towards my BA in Visual Arts and integrated research with minors in creative writing and criminology! I am from Littleton, Colorado, and had the privilege of studying Art in Italy abroad in summer 2024. Traveling to Italy has been the most rewarding experience of my academic career thus far and has significantly enhanced my knowledge and appreciation for art history. I was able to stand face-to-face with some of the most significant works of art—an experience incredibly different than studying them in a classroom—as well as immerse myself in a beautiful culture filled with amazing people. I got to push myself out of my comfort zone, creating lifelong friendships and building confidence. My favorite part of the program was traveling to Venice and experiencing two straight days at the Venice Biennale of modern art! It was amazing to see the conversation between ancient buildings and paintings, and some of the craziest modern artwork I have seen. As a peer advisor, I look forward to helping students discover and embrace the amazing opportunities study abroad has to offer and continue my personal reflection of the journey. |
 | Izzy Manchee
Area of Study: Social Work
Where I Studied Abroad: London, England
About Izzy: Hi! My name is Izzy Manchee (she/her), and I am a third-year Social Work student! During the spring semester of 2025, I was able to study abroad with AIFS in London, UK! It was truly the time of my life and made me grow in not only my education but as a person as well. While I studied abroad, I was able to travel to 9 different countries on the weekends all around Europe! I was also able to travel all around the UK and see many parts of the country that were much different from London. In Iceland, I was able to experience the Northern Lights, and it was breathtaking! Italy had the best food out of all the countries I visited, and it was truly beautiful in the five cities I went to while I was visiting. Overall, studying abroad allowed me to experience many different cultures, learn bits of different languages, appreciate the countries in a meaningful way, and grow as an adult. My goal as a study abroad peer advisor is to help others have this life-changing experience of being able to study around the world, experience new cultures, and travel during their college years. |
 | Karen Rodriguez
Area of Study: Ethnic Studies and Sociology with a minor in Legal Studies
Where I Studied Abroad: Morroco and Spain
About Karen: Hi!! My name is Karen Rodriguez and I am a senior at CSU double majoring in Ethnic Studies and Sociology with a minor in legal studies! I have had the wonderful opportunity to study abroad twice during my time at CSU. I first studied abroad in Morroco in the winter break of 2022 with a staff and faculty-led program through TRIO Student Support Services that focused on Education and Culture. This experience was life-changing because it allowed me to learn a new language, experience a new culture, and create unforgettable memories. I also was able to study abroad in the Fall of 2024 in Madrid, Spain. This experience allowed me to visit various countries in Europe, live a city lifestyle, and discover more about myself and my career. These experiences have been life-changing for me, especially as a first-generation student and as a peer advisor, I want to encourage all students to study abroad. Studying abroad is meant for everyone and is possible which is why I’m super excited to help any and all start their journey! |
 | Lauren Jilot
Area of Study: Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology and Global Environmental Sustainability
Where I Studied Abroad: Melbourne, Australia
About Lauren: Hello! My name is Lauren, and I'm a first year student at CSU. I had the privilege of going to Australia to study Biology abroad with other students in similar majors as myself. On this First Year Seminar Abroad, I made lasting connections and learned many things I will take with me throughout my career. Being able to learn about unique Australian flora and fauna while also making some of my best friends was an experience I am so grateful for. I won't ever forget snorkeling over the Great Barrier Reef. As a peer advisor, I want to help all students pursue a study abroad experience that will give them lasting memories, real connections, and unique experiences, just as my time abroad did. |
 | Madeline Cruz
Area of Study: Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology
Where I Studied Abroad: Melbourne, Australia
About Madeline: Hi there! My name is Madeline and I'm a first-year student, majoring in conservation biology through the College of Natural Resources. I had the opportunity to study biology and zoology abroad as a first-year student in Melbourne and Cairns, Australia, in August of 2025. During my time in Australia, I learned so much about Aboriginal culture, the historical and ecological landscape of the Eastern coast of Australia, and conservation and rehabilitation efforts being made to preserve wildlife like plants, coral, marsupials, and birds native to Australia. I am so grateful for my time abroad and have learned so much culturally and ecologically from it. I also learned so much about myself and traveling during this time, which I could not be more thankful for. As a peer advisor, I can't wait to help you find out more about what you can do abroad and how the Education Abroad office can help you! (:
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 | Maren Lancaster
Area of Study: Interior Architecture
Where I studied abroad: Copenhagen, Denmark
About Maren:
Hi everyone! My name’s Maren and I’m a third year Interior Architecture student in the college of Health and Human Sciences at CSU! I was fortunate enough to spend the Summer of 2025 in Copenhagen, Denmark, with DIS Scandinavia. I traveled to multiple Scandinavian countries, met some incredible people, immersed myself in the Danish way of life, and learned so much about architecture, art, design, food, and culture. I also learned a lot about solo travel, navigating foreign transportation, and managing money while abroad. I certainly made memories to last a lifetime. Participating in field studies around Copenhagen and Denmark, as well as going on a study tour to Helsinki, Finland, broadened my perspective regarding traditional learning done in a classroom setting. As a peer advisor, I hope to aid students in achieving their goals to travel and experience other cultures while providing insight and answering questions
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 | Maya Fink
Area of Study: Human Development and Family Studies
Where I Studied Abroad: Florence, Italy
About Maya: Hello! My name is Maya, and I am a senior studying Human Development and Family Studies. I studied abroad in Florence, Italy, during the spring of 2025 through SAI. During my time in Florence, I learned Italian, did pasta-making classes, and explored all the amazing things that Florence had to offer. I had the incredible opportunity to make friends from different universities and make long-lasting memories through traveling to different countries and fully embracing different cultures from all over the world. Study abroad was a truly life-changing experience for me, and I feel that everyone at CSU should have the opportunity to explore the world as well! |
