Education Abroad Ambassadors
Mary Watson
My name is Mary Watson and I’m a senior majoring in Inclusive Early Childhood Education. I studied abroad at Keele University in England during the spring semester of my sophomore year. It was a fantastic experience, and I traveled to eight different countries while I was abroad! One of my favorite memories from my semester abroad was when I went to an Ed Sheeran concert in Northern Ireland with a bunch of my friends and we got front row seats. During my semester abroad, I met friends from all over the world, many of whom I’m still in touch with. I frequently visit my friend in Canada that I met at Keele, which has been very interesting and exciting! I also gained so much independence and confidence in my own capabilities from my time abroad, and I’ve planned a few trips abroad since my semester at Keele as well
Rachel Miller
¡Hola, Chiques! My name is Rachel, and I am a third year studying Studio Art, Spanish, and Community Arts Education! I have been studying Spanish off and on since preschool and was always encouraged to go abroad, so it only made sense for me to eventually end up in Spain! This past summer (2023), I had the absolute pleasure of participating in our program in Alcalá de Henares, one of the most precious places out there that has absolutely stolen my heart. Despite being quite uncertain before my departure, my only regret is not going for longer! I have learned so much more about myself and my capabilities, gained the invaluable experience that immersion allows both in language acquisition and cultural awareness, and have met the most amazing people that I genuinely consider my second family. My experiences have also had a huge impact on my trajectory here at BGSU, giving me just the right push to start my Master’s in Spanish early and prepare to return to Spain once again for a longer term! Studying abroad is by far the best thing that could have happened to me, and I can’t wait to share my experiences with you all!
Christina DeRusso
I am a senior studying business at BGSU. After my high school senior year trip abroad got canceled due to COVID-19, I was always looking for an opportunity to fulfill my dream of studying abroad in college. In the fall of my junior year, I went on exchange to Oslo, Norway to study at BI Norwegian Business School for the semester. From traveling to different countries on the weekends to having spontaneous adventures in Norway, my experience was definitely once in a lifetime. I have made lifelong friends from different countries across the globe, and we have made plans to meet again in the future. I strongly encourage anyone to go abroad, since it made me into a more diverse, independent, and adventurous person. This experience only lasted 5 months, but it left an impact on me that will last forever.
Krista Wheeler
I’m a senior majoring in PPEL (Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law) with a minor in Paleontology. While at BGSU I’ve been involved in Spirit Skaters and intercollegiate figure skating. I studied abroad on the faculty-led trip to New Zealand over the summer of 2023. When I first heard about the trip, I knew it would be a perfect fit for me! We traveled across the South Island, using each of our stops as a learning opportunity rather than sitting in a classroom. My favorite memory from the trip was spending four nights sleeping in a wool shed in Mahu Whenua without cell service. All of us on the trip just got to bond so well and really get to know each other. We also did some amazing work with the University of Otago, planting native trees and collecting stream samples to test for invasive species. Studying abroad has made a huge impact on me and helped me develop a deeper passion for my future career!
Tressa Greiner
I am a 4th year Integrated Science Education major. I am involved in activities on campus such as ACTION and Science Camp. I love travelling and exploring new places which is why I knew I wanted to study abroad while I was at BGSU. I study abroad at Keele University in England but have also been to places such as Spain, Portugal, Australia, Italy, France and more while traveling. I loved studying abroad at Keele because it made me so many friends from other countries while still providing me the security of being able to connect with people from BGSU as well. Going to Keele has only inspired me to travel more and attempt to go to every continent before the age of 35. Studying abroad will push you to go out of your comfort zone and learn more about the world and yourself.
Abdulla Davlatboyev
My name is Abdulla Davlatboyev, and I am a senior majoring in International Studies with a German minor. I studied abroad in Spring 2023 at the University of Salzburg in Salzburg, Austria. I have always loved traveling and learning languages, and with my combined knowledge and love for both, I was able to study abroad as well as visit 10 countries in Europe. I was also lucky enough to see some family members who live and work in Europe. I grew up in two different cultures, with my home being both Uzbekistan and the United States and to see and experience other cultures, especially in Europe, was amazing. When I am asked how it was, I always say it was the best experience of my life. I learned many new words, became more independent and found a new hobby: photography!
Bailey Marks
I am a senior at BGSU studying World Language Education with a specialization in Spanish. I studied abroad in Alcalá de Henares, a town on the outskirts of Madrid for the entirety of the 2022-23 school year. My time abroad was truly a once in a lifetime experience. I met an amazing group of fellow BGSU students, learned extensively about the language and culture, and received amazing support from the onsite directors and professors. Also, I had the unique opportunity to live with a host family, whom I still consider my second family. My favorite part of this experience was the opportunities I had to travel and see the different parts of Europe. Each trip I took was unique, where I got to meet people from all over the world and go on little adventures. There is a quote in Spanish that goes “viajar es vivir” which translates to travel is to live. My time abroad allowed me to adopt this mentally, applying it to my present, as I am already planning my next cross-cultural trip!
Sarah Day
Sarah is a senior in the College of Education and Human Development majoring in World Language Education with a specialization in Spanish. She studied abroad in Alcalá de Henares during the 2022-2023 academic year. “The months I spent abroad were eight of the best months of my life, and I hope to share my experiences to encourage other students to go and have eye-opening, life-changing experiences, like I did.”
Updated: 11/17/2023 01:28PM