Meet the Peer Advisors

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!!
A student sits on ledge overlooking a town filled with houses with tiled roofs.Caroline Efroymson

Area of Study: Ethnic Studies and Spanish

Where I studied abroad: Granada, Spain

About Caroline: Hello! My name is Caroline and I am a fourth-year student at CSU studying Ethnic Studies and Spanish. In the Fall of 2025, I had the opportunity to study and do service learning in Granda, Spain! During my time abroad, I developed a strong passion for intercultural, multi-lingual, and multi-generational connection and community building, which has led me to so many new opportunities and experience both internationally and locally. My favorite part about living in Spain was getting to eat delicious food, connect with my host community, and go dancing on the weekends! I absolutely loved my time abroad and I am excited to help you all find your next adventure abroad! I am happy to answer any questions or talk through any of your ideas with you.
student posing in front of an old church or castleJorgen Obinger

Area of Study: Mathematics and Spanish

Where I Studied Abroad: Madrid, Spain and Amsterdam, The Netherlands

About Jorgen: Hello! I'm Jorgen, a fourth-year student studying General Mathematics along with a Spanish minor, and I travelled to both the Netherlands and Madrid during my time at CSU. Both experiences became adventures I'll never forget and taught me invaluable skills and lessons that I will forever take with me, even years after college. The friendships I made, the places I saw, the food I tried, and the stories I'm left with are all integral parts of me now, and I'd do it all again if I could. Studying abroad is an opportunity unlike anything else: through it I was able to see other cities and countries and learn pieces of languages I'd never come in contact with before. From my time in the Netherlands, I learned the power of sustainable thinking, and from my time in Spain, I expanded my Spanish fluency ten-fold. If you have even the inkling of desire to study abroad, please come in and see us! We'd love to help inform you on all the happenings!
student standing in front of a woodland backgroundKe'ala Stauber

Area of Study: Sustainable Chemistry

Where I Studied Abroad: San Jose, Costa Rica

About Ke'ala: Hi! My name is Ke'ala Stauber and I am a third-year student studying Sustainable Chemistry with a minor in Role of Sustainability in Peace and Reconciliation. I studied abroad with CEA CAPA in San Jose, Costa Rica during the Fall 2025 Semester and it was one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences of my life so far. I was able to greatly advance my Spanish language skills, deepen my understanding of perspectives and cultures different from my own, and improve my own confidence by seeking out experiences outside of my comfort zone. Being based out of San Jose allowed me to travel all over Costa Rica and I was also able to take a trip to Guatemala after my program was completed. I am so excited to help other students find an education abroad program that fits within their budget and class schedule so that they can also have the amazing experience of international travel while also gaining both credits and knowledge of their own areas of study.
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.
A student stands at a balcony at duskLily Stock

Area of Study: Industrial-Organizational Psychology and Sociology

Where I Studied Abroad: Barcelona, Spain

About Lily: Hi! I'm a senior, majoring in Industrial-Organizational Psychology with a minor in Sociology. In Spring 2026, I had the amazing opportunity to study abroad at Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) in Barcelona, Spain, through the AIFS program. During my time abroad, I immersed myself in Spanish culture while taking courses that supported my academic goals. Living in Barcelona helped me become more independent, adaptable, and confident as I navigated daily life in a new country. One of the most rewarding parts of my experience was traveling throughout Spain and visiting several other countries, each offering unique perspectives and unforgettable experiences. From exploring local traditions and cuisine to building friendships with people from around the world, studying abroad broadened my worldview and strengthened my appreciation for different cultures. My time abroad helped me grow both personally and academically. I returned home with greater confidence, stronger problem-solving skills, and a deeper understanding of the value of stepping outside my comfort zone. As a Peer Advisor, I'm excited to help other students find a program that fits their goals and encourages them to take advantage of the life-changing opportunities that studying abroad can offer.
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! (:
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
Reina Crowley

Area of Study: Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering

Where I studied abroad: Alicante, Spain and Lima, Peru

About Reina:
Hi! My name is Reina, and I'm a Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering student with a certificate in Design Thinking. Spring 2026 I had the opportunity to study abroad in Alicante, Spain, where I was able to immerse myself in a new culture, improve my Spanish skills, and travel throughout Europe. Studying abroad helped me grow both personally and academically and gave me experiences I'll carry with me for the rest of my life. I'm excited to help other students explore international opportunities, answer questions, and encourage everyone to take a step out of their comfort zone and tour all of the opportunities the world has to offer!
A student sits in tall grass with a manicured garden in the backgroundSantiago Serrano-Guillen

Area of Study: Computer Science

Where I studied abroad: Seoul, South Korea

About Santi:
Hello! My name is Santi, and I'm currently going into my fourth year of studying Computer Science. I was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, before attending CSU where I had the opportunity to travel and study abroad in Seoul, South Korea, at Korea University during the fall of 2025. Studying abroad was a life-changing experience that allowed me to immerse myself into an entirely different world and become a part of an amazing community of people. Being a full-time student living and studying in South Korea for a semester broadened my global perspectives in ways I never could have imagined. As a peer advisor, I will aim to provide other students with the same opportunity that I once did not think was possible for myself.
A student in front of the Colosseum in RomeTyler Masterson

Area of Study: Business Administration

Where I studied abroad: Florence, Italy

About Tyler:
What’s up y’all! My name is Tyler, and I’m a senior at CSU. I am studying Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad in Florence, Italy, during Spring 2026 through the SAI program. During my time there, I immersed myself in Italian culture, explored many historic cities across Europe, and gained a new perspective on both the world and myself. One of my favorite parts of the experience was stepping completely outside my comfort zone, whether that meant navigating a new country, trying new foods, or building friendships with people from different backgrounds. Studying abroad helped me grow both personally and professionally, and it’s an experience I’ll always be grateful for. As an Education Abroad Peer Advisor, I’m so hyped to help other students discover opportunities that can truly be life changing and encourage them to step outside their comfort zones to grow in ways they never imagined.