Global Guides
Global Guide applications for the 2023-2024 academic year are now open! Apply here by June 4, 2023.
What are Global Guides?
Global Guides serve as ambassadors for Learning Abroad at on-campus events, mentor fellow students on learning abroad program opportunities, and assist with office events and initiatives. The Global Guides have either lived abroad or have participated in a learning abroad program in the past. They are an excellent resource for students who aren’t sure how to decide on a program or who want first-hand information about a particular program or geographical location.
Global Guides are required to hold office hours every other week and attend monthly meetings, help at the Fall and Spring fairs and pre-fair tabling, do two classroom presentations per semester, and help at one additional Learning Abroad or Global Guide event per month. These positions are on a volunteer basis, and students seeking benefits such as personal and professional development and office experience are encouraged to apply.
Join the Global Guides Office Hours to hear more about Learning Abroad!
Global Guide office hours for Spring 2023 are from 12-2 pm Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 12-1 pm Thursdays. See our events page for more details.
Contact: globalguidesuh@gmail.com
Global Guides Biographies
Angeline P., Co-Lead Global Guide
Major: Finance and Marketing
Minor: Spanish, Phronesis
Class Year: Senior
Learning Abroad Program: Fall 2021 with AIFS in Barcelona, Spain
International Experience: France, Portugal, Morocco, Netherlands, Switzerland, Andorra, Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany, Italy, Vatican City, Japan, China, Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan
Studying abroad was a phenomenal experience. Due to the pandemic, I was unsure if I was even able to go but my efforts proved fruitful. Over the course of 4 months, I made friends from all over the world and shared commonalities across cultures. I improved my Spanish and developed a deep bond with my host family, who I now regard as my "family in Barcelona". I travelled to different countries in Europe frequently, becoming more independent and taking charge of how I valued my time. I made an effort to put myself out there, both academically and socially. I gained confidence to voice my thoughts and opinions in class among students from different cultures and differing perspectives than my own. Outside of class, I dedicated more time to getting to know my fellow international students and exploring Barcelona together. Now that I'm back, I want to give my time and share my experience with students who are interested in learning abroad. My biggest advice for students is to just go for it. You never know what lies ahead until you jump right in!
Jessica O., Co-Lead Global Guide
Major: Finance
Class Year: Senior
Learning Abroad Program: Academic Year at Seoul, South Korea with USAC
International Experience: Mexico
Studying abroad has been an experience that has profoundly affected me in both my personal and professional life. Living abroad is a challenging experience that I think I could have never received if I had stayed within the country. Past language barriers and cultural differences, you get to learn more about yourself and the world we share with so many others. The experience of living in a completely different country to yours and immersing yourself in the culture is a once -in- the -lifetime experience that I hope everyone tries!
Melissa Q., Co-Lead Global Guide
Major: Management Information Systems
Class Year: Senior
Learning Abroad Program: Fall 2022 exchange to NEOMA Business School – Roeun, France
International Experience: Mexico
Learning abroad provides so many opportunities to learn and grow personally and professionally. Experiencing a foreign environment would improve my problem-solving skills to learn and adapt to different situations. Traveling increases my confidence in communicating with others and across language barriers. Being able to interact with a different culture enables a further understanding in the uniqueness of our identities. I would be able to encounter the diverse processes in the way education is taught, how businesses operate, and local interactions among people. We all have distinct cultural values and it is important to learn to be respectful to one another. Learning abroad would allow me to be more open-minded on various perspectives, thought processes, and ideas.
Sophia Z.
Major: Political Science
Minors: National Security
Class Year: Senior
Learning Abroad Program: SIT: International Studies and Multilateral Diplomacy in Geneva Switzerland
International Experience: UK/ Scotland, France (Nice, Paris) Como Italy, Vienna Austria
Office Hours: Wednesdays, 1-2pm
Through Learning Abroad, I have been able to do write and learn about a variety of topics related to international relations I wouldn’t get in a normal academic setting. The highlight was being able to meet new friends, try new things, and experience a variety of cultures. Studying aboard gives you the opportunity to learn more about yourself by letting you be more independent and find your passions. It opens you up to a whole new world. Overall studying aboard has opened my eyes to new possibilities and I can’t wait to travel more in the future .
Natalie S.
Major: Computer Science
Minors: Mathematics and Psychology
Class Year: Junior
Learning Abroad Program: Summer 2022 Korea University
International Experience: Mexico, Panama, Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic
Office Hours: Tuesdays, 1-2pm
Learning abroad was a habit-changing experience. Besides the language barrier, Korea’s landscape and food differ from Texas'. I am a proud Texan, and I pride myself on our diversity and food. However, going to Korea, I learned to appreciate walks and healthy food. I have even picked up new study habits. Learning abroad changes perspectives of life, and it’s a path you have to walk through to fully understand how amazing it is and to see how it helps you grow .
Dalila N.
Major: Computer Science
Minor: Finance
Class Year: Senior
Learning Abroad Program: Fall 2021 with USAC in Seoul, South Korea
International Experience: Vietnam, UK, Ireland, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica
Office Hours: Tuesdays, 12-1pm
Learning abroad was a memorable experience that has greatly impacted my life. In Korea, I was able to immerse myself into the culture making life-long friends along the way. We faced cultural shocks and language barriers together, which helped us persevere and appreciate the country better. This was the first time I was living on my own, away from my parents, so I learned how to be independent and to rely on myself more. I would love to learn abroad again if I get the opportunity to, and I want to help others experience the same!
Xavier Z. V.
Major: History
Class Year: 2023
Learning Abroad Program: Spring 2022 with ISA in Seville, Spain
International Experience: Mexico, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Turks and Caicos Islands
Office Hours: Wednesdays, 12-1pm
How do I know that I’m ready for this? That’s the thing; I don’t. It’s a leap of faith. By taking this leap of faith I will grow and change as a person for the better. Learning Abroad will be a life-changing experience. I have no doubt in my mind that I will face challenges but that is one of the biggest reasons as to why I want to go abroad. I believe that this experience will help me grow and teach me how to become independent. It will teach me to fend for myself and to depend on my own judgement. I would love to help you – the undecided, risk taking student – take that leap of faith into wanting to go abroad.
Tristan T.
Major: Economics & Political Science
Minor: National Security Studies
Class Year: Senior
Learning Abroad Program: Year Abroad in Swansea, Wales - REEP Program
International Experience: France, Greece, The Grenadines, United Kingdom, Trinidad & Tobago
Office Hours: Wednesdays, 12-1pm
Learning abroad was such a great experience; I learned a lot about the aspects of travel and the healthcare climate in another country! The year I spent abroad in Wales furthered my skills in patience, problem solving, and resilience.
Isabella M.
Major: Strategic Communication with a Concentration in Advertising
Minor: Business Administration
Class Year: Senior
Learning Abroad Program: Spring 2022 - AIFS Barcelona, Spain
International Experience: Spain, France, Italy, Austria, Hungary, England, Scotland, Canada, Honduras
Office Hours: Thursdays, 12-1pm
S tudying abroad has allowed me to learn about other cultures and both understand and experience how differently other people live. Learning abroad helped me to expand my knowledge and communication skills as well as become more independent, organized, flexible, and confident. This experience gave me a chance to build a global network of contacts and establish important relationships. I was able to improve my language proficiency skills and grow as a person. I am very grateful for all the memories I made and hope to travel more in the future!
Austin F.
Major: Chemical Engineering
Minor: National Security Studies
Class Year: Sophomore
Learning Abroad Program: Galapagos!
International Experience: Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, El Salvador, Mexico
Like many students, I wasn't sure I was ever going to be able to navigate the process or even afford to go study in a different country. The learning abroad office guided me through everything I needed, and were even able to help me again a Gilman scholarship in order to research abroad. Making new connections, whether professional or social, was incredibly valuable. It inspired me to try to really excel in my studies and dramatically increased my confidence and ability to speak to professors, recruiters/interviewers, and even other students. I plan to pay it forward and help students reach new goals the same way the learning abroad office helped me achieve things I didn't even know were possible.
Emily P.
Major: Supply Chain Management
Class Year: Junior
Learning Abroad Program: Swansea REEP semester
International Experience: Australia, Turkey, Czechia, France, Monaco, The Netherlands, Mexico, England, Scotland
Office Hours: Tuesdays, 1-2pm
Spending a semester abroad taught me the value of saying yes. I learned that one of the most important life practices is taking advantage of the opportunities and resources available while they are within your reach, and I would urge everyone to do the same by finding a learning abroad program that fits their needs. After my time in Swansea, I have a better understanding of my role as a citizen of the world, and I am more ambitious than ever to take bigger leaps and get out of my comfort zone.
Tiffany D.
Major: Psychology
Minor: Medicine & Society
Class Year: Senior
Learning Abroad Program: USAC Chiang Mai, Thailand, Fall 2021
International Experience: Vietnam, Canada
Office Hours: Tuesdays, 12-1pm
Learning abroad enabled me to be comfortable in my own skin. I was exposed to a new way of living, which led me to realize I wanted to spend my time doing things I was passionate about, rather than things I felt like I should be doing. I became a more warm and open person through the relationships I fostered while abroad, and that vulnerability is something I hope to maintain in all my relationships going forward. My time abroad taught me there is always something more to learn, and as a Global Guide, I aim to help prospective students go abroad and make their own discoveries.
Sophia G.
Major: Biotechnology
Minor: Medicine and Society
Class Year: Junior
Learning Abroad Program: The Aarhus School of Marine Science and Technology Management
International Experience: Over forty countries and five continents
When I first made the decision to study abroad, I was scared. My biggest worries were being away from my family and friends for an extended period of time and having to navigate a new country and culture by myself. In the seven months I was there, I learned that I had absolutely nothing to be scared of. I made lifelong friends, countless core memories, traveled to ten countries, and experienced firsthand a vastly different culture and way of life. Being abroad allowed me to not only develop independence, but also to figure out the person I am and who I want to be. In the future, I know I will look back at learning abroad as being a significant turning point in my life.
Megan M.
Major: English- Applied Linguistics
Minor: Spanish
Class Year: Senior
Learning Abroad Program: Summer 2022 - AIFS Buenos Aires, Argentina
International Experience: During my learning abroad I visited Argentina and Uruguay, but before that I have lived in and travelled to Mexico
Office Hours: Thursdays, 12-1pm
Traveling has always been a dream of mine so I knew studying abroad was something I wanted to accomplish. It was the best of both worlds allowing me to both live abroad and continue taking university classes at the same time. Before it was a dream to study abroad, but having had the opportunity to study in Buenos Aires I can say achieving that goal has impacted me greatly. I now have the confidence that I can make any dream a reality, utilizing all the new skills I acquired during the process of studying abroad. I have formed new connections not only abroad in my host county, but here at the University of Houston too, working with my professors, advisors, UH staff and the Learning Abroad office. Learning abroad helped build my community here at my university, but also was the stepping stone in building my international community and preparing me for hopefully more future travels and opportunities abroad!
Nate C.
Major: Management Information Systems
Minor: Corporate Communication
Class Year: 2023
Learning Abroad Program: Yonsei Yearlong with USAC
International Experience: Korea, The UK
Office Hours: Wednesdays, 1-2pm
Learning abroad has entirely upended how I have thought of life. When learning and living abroad you get to learn so many different things and meet so many amazing people. I have met some of my best friends abroad and together we have made some lifelong memories; memories that I will always cherish. In addition you get to travel around the world and visit places and see sights you didn’t even know existed. This is why I would love everyone to try the Learning Abroad program.