Global Guides
Global Guides Office Hours are 12-2pm Tuesdays & Wednesdays and 11am-12pm Thursdays. Walk in to talk about going abroad, no appointment needed!
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!
12-2 pm Tuesdays & Wednesdays and 11-12 pm Thursdays
See our events page for more details
Contact: globalguidesuh@gmail.com
Global Guides Biographies
Emily P., Lead Global Guide
Major: Supply Chain Management
Minor: Global Engagement and Research
Class Year: Senior
Learning Abroad Program: Spring 2022 Reciprocal Exchange, Swansea University
International Experience: Australia, Spain
Ask Me About:
Living abroad in a smaller city
Staying in hostels
Train travel across Europe
Befriending locals
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.
Sophia G., Lead Global Guide
Major: Biotechnology
Minor: Medicine and Society
Class Year: Senior
Learning Abroad Program: Spring 2022 Reciprocal Exchange, Aarhus School of Marine and Techonology Engineering
International Experience: I have been to over 40 countries!A
Ask Me About:
Living with a host family
Being a STEM student abroad
Solo traveling abroad
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.
Angel P.
Major: Entrepreneurship & Finance
Class Year: Senior
Learning Abroad Program: Summer 2023 CEACAPA Study Abroad Family Business and Entrepreneurship in Florence, Italy
International Experience: I have lived in Mexico
Ask Me About:
I'm a First generation college student
This was my first time traveling solo for a long time
I'm a double major
I'm just a regular person like you and everyone else
Studying abroad had opened new doors for me, not only personal and professional but also mental. I have been able to connect with people outside of the US and learn how their way of doing business differentiate internationally, I have also seen the similarities on how different companies operate. In the process I have gained new friends, meaningful connections and new memories that will stay with me trough life. I genuinely feel as if the doors to the outside world have opened up and have prepared me to go anywhere without fearing the unknown.
Hannah R.
Major: Psychology & Chinese Studies
Minor: Global Engagement and Research
Class Year: Senior
Learning Abroad Program: Summer 2023 UH Faculty-Led program in Taiwan
International Experience: France, Italy, Spain
Ask Me About:
Solo traveling abroad
Learning a language
I think learning abroad broadened my perspective. Seeing how countries navigate conversations or eat food made me appreciative of how vast the world is. I also love how learning abroad made me more aware of the minute differences within my own country/state. For example, I began noticing how grocery stores are run differently even when they are only ten minutes apart.
Kyvana N.
Major: Marketing
Class Year: Senior
Learning Abroad Program: AIFS Affiliated Partner Program in Florence, Italy
International Experience: Vatican City, France, Ireland, England, Germany, Spain, Monaco, Peru, Honduras, Mexico
Ask Me About:
Solo traveling and staying in hostels alone
First generation college student abroad
Woman of Color abroad experience
Studying abroad allowed me to discover new parts of myself. As daunting as it sounds, being completely alone in a country can feel so liberating. You’re exposed to an entire new world. I learned that getting out of my comfort zone allows me to open so many other opportunities. While abroad, I had the chance to learn a new language, explore various cultures, meet different people from all over the world, etc. In my program, I made many new friends whom I am still in contact with to this day. Overall, learning abroad has been such an amazing experience, and I believe everyone should have the chance to participate in it!
Meagan D.
Major: Psychology
Minor: Sociology
Class Year: Senior
Learning Abroad Program: Fall 2022 CIEE Open Campus Block in Kyoto, Japan
International Experience: Japan, Mexico
Ask Me About:
Staying with a Host Family
Japanese Culture and Etiquette
Japanese Language Learning Resources
Before embarking on my trip, I was terrified of going to a foreign country by myself and had no idea if I would be able to do it. However, once I got there doing things by myself became a fun challenge to overcome and soon I started to develop a deeper sense of self-reliance. I learned so much about myself, but also my host culture and how I existed within that space. Now I feel that when I apply to work in Japan, I can do so with the confidence that I will be able to thrive in any environment that I am placed in. I hope that I can help others gain this unique experience and encourage people to start their own journeys!
Michelle C.
Major: Psychology
Minor: Human Resource Management
Class Year: Senior
Learning Abroad Program: Summer 2023 UH Faculty-Led program in Taiwan
International Experience: Hong Kong, China,
Ask Me About:
Being a first generation college student abroad
Faculty led programs
Dorm life in Taiwan
Studying abroad has made me more confident in myself. I was able to navigate through tough situations, pull through intensive language courses, and become more open-hearted than ever! I was able to deeply bond with friends in the program by experiencing Taiwan together for the first time and make Taiwanese friends who introduced us warmly to their culture. I feel like I finally had the unique college experience that I missed out during the pandemic.
Learning abroad expanded my perspective about how many opportunities were out there in the world for us. Although traveling without my family was scary at first, I never regretted a second of it. As a global guide, I hope to gift the same exciting experience to any prospective students who are considering learning abroad!
Michelle M.
Major: Exercise Science
Minor: Spanish
Class Year: Senior
Learning Abroad Program: Summer 2023 Spanish Language with Arcos Learning Abroad in Granada, Spain
International Experience: China, Spain, UK, Italy, Portugal, Norway, Sweden, Denmark
Ask Me About:
Living with a host family
Overcoming fear about practicing foreign language with locals
Studying abroad allowed me to immerse myself in a foreign culture in a way not possible through simply going on vacation. The opportunity to live with a host family, constantly interact with locals, and practice my Spanish with everyone around me gave me a much deeper insight into Spanish culture, the way people interact with one another, and their daily lives. This experience inspired me to incorporate values I observed abroad into my own life in the U.S. as well.
Miguel G.
Major: Political Science
Minor: National Security Studies
Class Year: Senior
Learning Abroad Program: Spring 2022 Reciprocal Exchange, Swansea University
International Experience: Cuba, Mexico, Ireland, France
Ask Me About:
Political Science abroad
Opening a UK bank account
Traveling across Europe by train
Studying abroad proved to be one of the most formative periods of my life. I can't recall of a previous time when I was surrounded by such a diverse body of professors. Each with their unique background (Ghana, Ethiopia, England, Australia) helped add rich cultural layers to my political science coursework. Amidst positive experiences - and a fair share of struggles - I visited cities whose culture and vibrancy compel me to consider moving to them, chief among them, London.
Sara M.
Majors: Management Information Systems and Marketing
Class Year: Senior
Learning Abroad Program: Summer 2023 UH Faculty-Led program in Taiwan
International Experience: Taiwan
Ask Me About:
First generation college student abroad
Being a part of a faculty-led program
Being a Business student abroad
Learning abroad in Taiwan has given me a greater perspective on the values and customs present outside of the United States. I've also gained so much more confidence when interacting with others with varying global experiences. Even to this day, I'm in communication with those I had the pleasure of meeting and being mentored by in Taiwan. Living and studying in Taiwan, even temporarily, exposed me to the beauty of its bustling night markets, historical locations, and calming scenery. The experience is definitely irreplaceable!
Stacey P.
Majors: Philosophy and Human Development & Family Studies
Class Year: Junior
Learning Abroad Program: Spring 2023 AIFS Semester at Freie Universität in Berlin, Germany
International Experience: Macedonia, Greece, Poland, Italy, Czech Republic
Ask Me About:
First time learning a new language
First time in a new country
The experience to learn abroad was unforgettable. It really opened up my perspective to be more worldly and I am so grateful to have had the chance to immerse myself in a completely new culture and atmosphere for a significant amount of time. Learning abroad was an amazing opportunity to have for both my personal and educational growth and it was definitely a life changing experience!
Tania R.
Majors: Finance and Marketing
Class Year: Senior
Learning Abroad Program: Spring 2023 AIFS Semester in Barcelona, Spain
International Experience: Spain
Ask Me About:
First generation college students
Living with study abroad students in Barcelona
Traveling to Italy, France, Morroco, Portugal, and around Barcelona
Traveling solo
Running a marathon (my FIRST!) in Paris
Studying abroad was the absolute best! It was my first taste of total independence and made me realize how capable I am of navigating life on my own. I made amazing friends and memories that will always bring a smile to my face. Plus, it got me pumped about traveling more! There are just so many cool experiences and beautiful cultures out there that I'm itching to see and be a part of someday.