Study Abroad Ambassadors are Case Western Reserve University students who have returned from a study abroad program and are chosen by the Office of Education Abroad to share their experience on campus through peer advising, classroom presentations and more!
Learn about each of the Study Abroad Ambassadors below!
Study Abroad Program: National University of Singapore, Singapore
Term Abroad: Spring Semester, 2022
Major: Anthropology
Email: amrita.bonthu@case.edu
"Studying abroad felt like my opportunity to truly experience my youth. From a young age, I have been intensely academically driven, so much so that I have hardly allowed myself to experience genuine friendships and new experiences. Studying abroad felt like I was finally allowing myself to be young. I realized that there is so much more to life than grades and points on a resume. I did unexpected things like joining the breakdancing club and going on a spontaneous trip to Thailand. I feel more grounded and calm than before. I feel that my perspective on life is more nuanced and that I am more resilient. I would love to share my perspective and experiences with fellow students and encourage them to go abroad! You discover a new side of yourself when you experience new things--and what better way than to study abroad?"
Study Abroad Program: IES Abroad Santiago, Chile
Term Abroad: Spring Semester, 2022
Majors: International Studies and Biology
Email: delphine.clatanoff@case.edu
"Studying abroad in Santiago, Chile with IES Abroad changed me as a person in profound ways and took my Spanish-speaking ability to levels I never thought were possible! I will always cherish the friendships I discovered, the things I learned, and the memories I made while I was abroad. I want to help other students find their own life-changing experience, particularly students interested in language immersion or studying in Latin America."
Study Abroad Program: Classics: Athens - Idea and Identity from Socrates to Byron (CLSC 199), Greece
Term Abroad: Spring Break, 2022
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Email: claire.daugherty@case.edu
"No matter what your major or what your interests are, studying abroad is an experience that will benefit everyone. My short-term study abroad experiences taught me important personal skills that you don't learn in engineering classes. I was surrounded by a totally new way of thinking that shaped me into a better student. As a study abroad ambassador, I hope to help other students discover the possibilities to explore the world and push them to do something outside of their comfort zone!"
Study Abroad Program: Universidad Pontificia Comillas, Spain
Term Abroad: Summer, 2022
Major: Business Management
Email: beyah-vida.garcia@case.edu
"Despite not spending an entire semester abroad, the short month that I was in Madrid was still life-changing. There are so many ways that living in a different country changes who you are and how you think about life. For this reason, I want to really encourage others to study abroad. I am willing to share my experiences, good and bad, if it will help students feel more comfortable with studying abroad. I can't wait to get started and meet everyone!"
Study Abroad Program: Classics: Rome on Site - The Archaeology of the Eternal City (CLSC 326/426), Greece
Term Abroad: May Term, 2022
Major: Finance, Classics minor
Email: youssef.massoud@case.edu
" 'Life-changing', 'eye-opening', and 'invaluable' are all words that come to mind when people recount a study abroad experience. When you haven't studied abroad yet, these sentiments can seem overplayed or an exaggeration (especially when people come back from Barcelona and have suddenly picked up a Spanish accent). I'm here to tell you that these reviews are a genuine encapsulation of the truth (except for the sporadic accent development). Studying abroad allows you to broaden your view of the world. As time passes experiencing a different culture, you learn to appreciate the nuances that make up these communities. Additionally, you have a greater understanding of how your own views and home country fit into the international sphere."
Study Abroad Program: IES Abroad Rome, Italy
Term Abroad: Spring Semester, 2022
Major: Business Management
Email: rafael.perez@case.edu
"As a first-generation college student, Hispanic, and a student-athlete, I think I will be able to connect with many different students interested in studying abroad. I had an amazing experience, to say the least. This once-in-a-lifetime adventure allowed me to make wonderful connections to great people, as well as develop as a young adult on my own. Being abroad for an entire semester got me even more interested in my current major of international business while also making me crave traveling more than I did before. There were so many beautiful moments throughout my trip, and I constantly found myself asking the same question, "How is this real life?" I was just in awe at how amazing day-to-day life was. I was able to learn so much as a student and a person by being immersed in the wonderful culture of Rome, and I can't wait to go back. Being back home now, I can only see positive outcomes from studying abroad, and I truly think anyone who's fortunate enough to have the opportunity to study abroad would benefit greatly from doing so!"
Study Abroad Program: CES: Maastricht University, The Netherlands
Term Abroad: Spring Semester, 2022
Major: Neuroscience, pre-health specialization
Email: ibrahima.seck@case.edu
"I think studying abroad is an experience that everyone should have the opportunity to try. I got to see and do things that I never would have thought I'd be able to do so early in life. It was so exciting to experience so many different cultures, as well as learn from a different perspective. I really understand now how big the world is and how different we all are. I wish to help students see that studying abroad is completely possible and encourage them to engage in the experience of a lifetime. It's so worth it!"
Study Abroad Program: National University of Singapore, Singapore
Term Abroad: Spring Semester, 2022
Majors: Psychology and Cognitive Science, Bioethics/Med Humanities (MA-B)
Email: david.silva@case.edu
"It was an amazing experience to study abroad in Singapore and travel around Asia in countries such as the Philippines and Vietnam. I had the opportunity to meet so many people from across the world and immerse myself in the different cultures and languages, food, and customs. I want everyone to be able to have an experience like this as it really opens your eyes, allows you to leave your bubble, and go out of your comfort zone in a way that helps you grow and become a more knowledgeable person."
Study Abroad Program: Yonsei University, S. Korea
Term Abroad: Summer, 2022
Major: Cognitive Science, pre-health specialization
Email: asees.sodhi@case.edu
"I feel that I have truly grown as a person during my time in S. Korea. Studying abroad in an unfamiliar environment not only allows you to further appreciate different types of people and a new culture, but also to learn so much about yourself. The opportunity to live in a new country while balancing school work and having fun gave me the confidence and sense of independence to know I could take care of myself in any environment. I learned to develop deeper connections with new and interesting people while keeping in touch with family and friends from home. I would encourage everyone to study abroad as there are so many opportunities, and it will be an experience where you will grow in so many ways!"
Study Abroad Programs:
- Classics: Athens - Idea and Identity from Socrates to Byron (CLSC 199), Greece
- DAAD Research Internships in Science and Engineering (RISE), Germany
Study Abroad Terms:
- Spring Break, 2022
- Summer, 2022
Majors: Neuroscience and Classics
Email: claire.wong@case.edu
"I remember being on the fence about fitting study abroad into my course load. Now, having attended both short- and long-term study abroad programs, I'm incredibly glad that I never gave up pursuing it. Studying abroad provides a unique opportunity to not just explore your academic and personal interests from a global perspective, but also to make connections and discover topics you otherwise would never have known about. (I'm looking at you, prospective researchers!) Not enough people realize that regardless of their course of study, international study is wholly accessible and that's something I'm excited to change."
Apply to Become an Ambassador
Are you interested in becoming a Study Abroad Ambassador? Check out the details and apply here.