Connect with a Returnee

We know how important it is to hear stories of students who have been in your shoes and made study abroad happen as you decide which program is right for you! To help you gain as much insight as possible, we have collected a list of study abroad returnee "ambassadors" who are eager to share their life-changing experience with you!

Please note these returnees are volunteering their time to talk about their own perspective studying abroad and are not employed by the International Center. For any official questions about the study abroad process with Cal Poly, eligibility requirements, and/or program selection, please reach out to our STUDY ABROAD PEER ADVISING TEAM! 

STUDY ABROAD ADVISING   MEET THE PEER ADVISORS 

BECOMING A RETURNEE CONTACT
Recently studied abroad and want to become a returnee contact and an ambassador for your study abroad program? Complete our online "Returnee Contact" Sign-Up Form!

CAL POLY FIRST YEAR GO

Kaylyn

Area(s) of Study: Economics, Spanish/Statistics Minors Study Abroad Program: First Year GO in Sevilla, Spain Email: klnuno@calpoly.edu   Hello everyone! I am Kaylyn Nuno, a second year student at Cal Poly Slo. I participated in the first cohort for FYGO program in Sevilla, Spain as a Freshman in college. At first, I wasn't sure if studying abroad my very first year of college was the right choice; however, it turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Living in Sevilla taught me so much about myself and gave me a deeper understanding of how every culture shapes this world. I would go back a million times if I could, and I am so grateful for everything the experience gave me: a new perspective of life, lifelong memories, and better appreciation for everything around me. Thank you CEA CAPA!

CAL POLY GLOBAL PROGRAMS

Holly	Area(s) of Study: Computer Science, Bioinformatics Study Abroad Program: Cal Poly in Rome, Italy Email: hcampb07@calpoly.edu   Hello, I'm Holly, I'm a computer science major, and I studied abroad in Rome, Italy, as a part of the Cal Poly Global Program for Software Engineering. I had an incredible time in Rome and loved living and studying in Italy. During the program, I also took a lot of personal trips around Europe, which was extremely fun. I am open to answering any questions you may have about Rome, studying abroad, or computer science at Cal Poly, so please don't hesitate to reach out!
Marcus	Area(s) of Study: Business Administration, Accounting Study Abroad Program: Cal Poly in Japan & South Korea (summer) Email: mwong269@calpoly.edu   Studying abroad is a great experience I would recommend to every college student. Although I entered the program not sure what to expect, it was an unforgettable experience interacting with people in different cultural settings whilst still learning in a traditional classroom setting. I'm open to all questions and will do my best to answer them! Outside of school, you can catch me playing pickleball, frisbee, or running!
Melissa	Area(s) of Study: Business Administration, Marketing Management Concentration, Law & Society, Political Science, Chinese Study Abroad Program: Cal Poly Global Program Email: mchen154@calpoly.edu   Hi, my name is Melissa Chen, and I’m a Business Administration major with a concentration in Marketing Management and minors in Law & Society, Political Science, and Chinese. This past summer, I had the opportunity to study abroad through the Cal Poly Global Program in Japan and South Korea. What I enjoyed most about the program was being able to connect what we learned in class to real-world experiences, like visiting museums, temples, and cultural sites that deepened my understanding of the material. I also loved how immersive the program was. It wasn’t just about studying, but about experiencing daily life abroad and gaining new perspectives.
Natalie	Area(s) of Study: Food Science Study Abroad Program: Cal Poly in Japan & South Korea (summer) Email: naseymou@calpoly.edu   Hi, I’m Natalie and after seeing a newsletter about cal polys study abroad program in Japan and Korea I was very intrigued. I had an extremely positive experience overseas and it is an experience I will remember forever. The food, culture, and friends I made were amazing and I’d love to eventually go back. Japan was definitely the highlight of the trip for me. Seeing Shibuya at nighttime and going to Kamakura island were two of my favorite things we did amongst many other things.
Sam	Area(s) of Study: History Study Abroad Program: Cal Poly in Japan & South Korea (summer) Email: smill119@calpoly.edu   Everyone deserves a chance to experience what I experienced on my trip. From being put up on the Jumbotron for a minute and a half at the Tokyo Dome baseball center to sitting down and having nice dinners with my peers and teachers often, I found myself enjoying the actual experience any American enjoys in Japan. Cal Poly study abroad enhanced this by supplementing our learning within the classroom from experiences and texts that we sought out on our trip which we would review and discuss before and after discovering something amazing that has already been planned out for us. Museums, historical places, and enjoying the locals was something I found I enjoyed best compared to my peers, it may not be for everyone, but you can appreciate the little things as you continue on your trip that makes you look back on it with fond memories of the experiences you had and the people you met.
Sara	Area(s) of Study: Mechanical Engineering Study Abroad Program: Cal Poly in Rome, Italy Email: smchamne@calpoly.edu   Hi! My name is Sara, I am a Mechanical Engineering Student (switched from Materials) who studied in Rome, Italy through Cal Poly's Mechanics in Rome Program. I had an incredible experience traveling, living in Rome, and spending time with the people in my program. I'd be so happy to answer any questions someone may have and share more about my time abroad!
Wilson	Area(s) of Study: Business Administration, Management & Human Resources Concentration, Minor in Sales Study Abroad Program: Cal Poly in Japan & South Korea (summer) Email: wwong56@calpoly.edu   After a very reluctant start, I'm a huge advocate of studying abroad. I'm someone who is really into the social aspect of school, self-improvement, and all the life experience it has to offer! I currently work as a Peer Mentor for the College of Business, head of marketing for Cal Poly Racing, and the President of The Gentlemen's Society at Cal Poly. In my free time I love playing volleyball (got to play in Japan & Korea) and studying philosophy!

DIS

Maike

Area(s) of Study: Business Administration, Financial Management Concentration Study Abroad Program: DIS and CIEE in Copenhagen, Denmark Email: mmieritz@calpoly.edu   I initially chose to study abroad in Denmark because I’m half Danish and wanted to be more connected to that part of my heritage. However, I completely fell in love with the city and decided to study abroad there a second time. I truly believe Copenhagen is one of the best cities to study abroad in (during the summer especially). The people are welcoming, everyone knows English, the buildings are beautiful and the city is clean, and there are plenty of places to go like parks, museums, restaurants, Tívoli, and swimming.

Violet

Area(s) of Study: Nutrition, Nutrition Minor Study Abroad Program: DIS in Copenhagen, Denmark Email: vpeabody@calpoly.edu   Hi! My name is Violet and I decided to study abroad in Copenhagen because I heard so many great things about the city and it did NOT disappoint! The public transportation, flea markets, weather, and swimming are what appealed to me the most, but the food, coffee and the vibe of the city were also just great. I met so many awesome people including my amazing professor who was the perfect guide to the city. I was unsure if I could even study abroad at all as a nutrition major, but doing a GE class over the summer was a perfect addition to my Cal Poly education.

CSUIP

Andrea

Area(s) of Study: Environmental Management and Protection Study Abroad Program: CSUIP in Chile Email: alinggip@calpoly.edu   My name is Andrea and I am a second year Environmental Management and Protection major. I love traveling, and seeing how the world works in different ways. My favorite things about my study abroad was the people I met and learning Spanish.

Lillie

Area(s) of Study: Art and Design, Studio Art Concentration Study Abroad Program: CSUIP in Florence, Italy Email: lturinsk@calpoly.edu   Hi, I'm Lillie! I am a Studio Art Major and studied in Florence, Italy in 2024. Studying abroad was an incredible experience for me, and I definitely recommend taking the chance and studying away or abroad. I made so many friends, became more confident in myself and my ability to travel and live alone (not to mention in a different country!), and was able to interact with the art and architecture that I have been studying for a large part of my life. I'd love to connect with and help other students to learn more about studying abroad.

CAL POLY INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGES

Isabella	Area(s) of Study: Mechanical Engineering Study Abroad Program: Exchange with Hochschule München University of Applied Sciences in Munich, Germany Email: iheinema@calpoly.edu   Hi! My name is Isabella and I studied Mechanical Engineering in Munich, Germany (Exchange Program at HM). The summer semester was great because we got an entire semester during spring quarter which is a gorgeous and less crowded time. Munich is such a fun thriving city thats location in the middle of Europe makes travel by public transportation incredibly convenient. I really enjoyed meeting locals through running and cycling groups and other international students through the schools active international club!
Jordan	Area(s) of Study: EIM with a concentration in Event Planning and Management Study Abroad Program: Exchange with Hochschule München University of Applied Sciences in Munich, Germany Email: jlum07@calpoly.edu   Hello! My name is Jordan Lum and I participated in the EIM Exchange program with HM in Munich, Germany studying tourism. Once I arrived there, there were lots of other international students from around the world also attending HM, whom I got very close with -- and many were in classes with me! The classes were mixed with locals and international students which was cool to learn from different perspectives of culture, language and ways of life. Apart from classes, I was able to travel around Europe a little during the semester which was definitely a big highlight from my trip.
Owen	Area(s) of Study: Industrial Engineering (BS) / Engineering Management (MS) Study Abroad Program: Exchange with Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden Email: olassa@calpoly.edu   I recently completed my last quarter/semester at Cal Poly by ending with an International Exchange at Chalmers University of Technology. I was a blended student where I worked on my bachelors (Industrial Engineering) and masters (Engineering Management) at the same time. I didn't know what to expect going into this since I was the only student going to Gothenburg, Sweden. Once I arrived, I quickly made a lot of very interesting friends from all around Europe from countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Denmark, and of course, Sweden. I had a lot of opportunity to travel to other countries as well as enjoy socializing with these people which made my experience one of a kind.

CEA CAPA

Abby	Area(s) of Study: Interdisciplinary Studies, Law & Society, Fire Ecology & Wildfire Hazard Planning Study Abroad Program: CEA CAPA in Madrid, Spain Email: abbaker@calpoly.edu   Hi! My name is Abby. I studied abroad in the Fall of 2024 in Madrid, Spain, with CEA CAPA. I attended Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, where I was enrolled in CEA's History, Politics, and International Studies Program. Studying abroad was definitely a highlight of my college experience. I learned to adapt quickly, work independently, and be confident in myself even while speaking a new language. While traveling, I formed some of my closest friendships and became deeply immersed in the city and the University’s culture. I highly recommend studying abroad to anyone who has the opportunity!
Alyssa	Area(s) of Study: Business Administration Financial Management Study Abroad Program: CEA CAPA in Florence, Italy Email: atehliri@calpoly.edu   Hi, my name is Alyssa Tehlirian and I'm a third-year Business Administration major with a concentration in Financial Management. I went abroad Fall 2025 to Florence, Italy and had the most amazing experience with CEA CAPA! I enjoyed immersing myself in Italian culture by taking a Beginning Italian course and traveling around the country. Many of my courses involved field trips around the city, which was an awesome way to feel at home and engage with the local community.
Andrea	Area(s) of Study: Graphic Communication, User Experience and User Interface Design, Packaging Minor Study Abroad Program: CEA CAPA in Barcelona, Spain Email: adelav01@calpoly.edu   I was so moved by my study abroad experience in Barcelona, and I highly encourage all students to go abroad! I took courses directly through CEA CAPA, through which I learned about the rich history of this beautiful city, and I met some amazing friends from other universities. Participating in program activities and going on weekend trips are some of my highlights, in addition to living every day to the fullest while exploring Barcelona. I wish you the best on your study abroad journey and I am happy to answer any questions or give my insights, tips, and tricks!
Angela	Area(s) of Study: Business Administration, Ethic Studies, Spanish, Queer Studies, Studio Art Study Abroad Program: CEA CAPA in Spain Email: asanc395@calpoly.edu   Hi, I’m Angela! I studied abroad in Spain during the spring, which was the perfect time to be there. I was just a first year Business major, unsure of what I wanted to do or where to even begin. I ended up traveling solo a lot, and somewhere along the way, I started feeling this pull toward learning about cultures other than my own. I met so many incredible people like the other students in the CEA CAPA program. The bond we built in three months was something special as we went through so many unforgettable, life changing experiences together. It’s hard to put into words, but it’s an experience I will never shut up about.
Ari	Area(s) of Study: Biological Sciences Study Abroad Program: CEA CAPA in Perugia, Italy (summer) Email: evert@calpoly.edu   Hi! My name is Ari Evert, and I am a third-year Biological Sciences student at Cal Poly! This past summer, I was able to study abroad in Perugia, Italy, where I had the opportunity to shadow doctors in a local hospital over a variety of departments. Being in Perugia and studying medicine through observation was such a unique experience. I was able to immerse myself in another country, further my interest & goal of pursuing medicine, and create lifelong connections with other like-minded students and some of the best physicians.
Ava	Area(s) of Study: Animal Science Study Abroad Program: CEA CAPA in Spain Email: avlazaru@calpoly.edu   Hi! My name is Ava, and I’m a third-year Animal Science major at Cal Poly. What I enjoyed most about studying abroad was being fully immersed in another country’s culture and language. I also loved the incredible travel and educational opportunities it offered, as well as the meaningful connections I made along the way. One of my favorite experiences was volunteering to teach middle schoolers English. It was so rewarding to be part of their language-learning journey and to see their progress firsthand.
Bryce	Area(s) of Study: Business Administration Study Abroad Program: CEA CAPA in Barcelona, Spain Email: bdespars@calpoly.edu   I am someone who enjoys trying new food, places, and experiencing different events. While I was in Barcelona, CEA CAPA fully enabled be to immerse myself in a plethora of different activities. From visiting museums with my classes, to attending a Barca game with CEA, I was able to experience all that Barcelona has to offer.
Emilie	Area(s) of Study: General engineering concentrating biomedical, law and society Study Abroad Program: CEA CAPA in Paris, France Email: beaudoin@calpoly.edu   Hi! My name is Emilie, and I’m a second-year General Engineering student with a concentration in Biomedical Engineering and a minor in Law and Society. I chose to study abroad in Paris to immerse myself in the city’s rich culture and explore how innovation and design intersect in one of the world’s fashion capitals. While in Paris, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to work with Badgley Mischka during Paris Fashion Week. I’ve also been working as a content creator for CEA CAPA, sharing my experiences abroad to inspire future students.
Emma	Area(s) of Study: Sociology, Minor: Communication Studies Study Abroad Program: CEA CAPA in Aix-en-Provence, France Email: eoillarb@calpoly.edu   Hello! My name is Emma and I studied abroad in Aix-en-Provence, France. I loved living in a small Southern town, where everything was within walking distance and the beach was accessible by public transportation. I lived with a lovely host family, and eating dinner with my host mom every evening was such an enjoyable part of my day. My goal during study abroad was to improve my French, and I really liked taking multiple French classes that focussed on Provençal literature and art, as well as French politics. I'm grateful to have gotten to explore the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region through my program's excursions and through personal travel.
Kendall	Area(s) of Study: Psychology Study Abroad Program: CEA CAPA in Florence, Italy Email: ksulli39@calpoly.edu   Hi! My name is Kendall Sullivan and I studied abroad with CEA CAPA in Fall of 2024. I loved CEA because the staff are all so welcoming and made Florence feel like home. Additionally, they offer so much more than just classes to take. For example, they offer volunteer opportunities, and through their volunteer opportunities I was able to help teach english to a class of third grade Italian students each week. There is so much room to make your study abroad experience memorable with CEA!
Oliver	Area(s) of Study: Business Finance, Minor: Statistics Study Abroad Program: CEA CAPA in Florence, Italy Email: oaskinne@calpoly.edu   Hello! My name is Oliver Skinner and I am 3rd year Business Finance student with a minor in Statistics. In my free time, I enjoy skiing, backpacking, and reading. I had the best time abroad! Some highlights were: Eating the best pasta, pizza and sandwiches in my life, traveling almost every weekend to new places (my favorites were Copenhagen, The Dolomites, and Zermatt), and making life-long friends along the way. I cannot recommend study abroad more!
Parnika	Area(s) of Study: Biological Sciences Study Abroad Program: CEA CAPA in Costa Rica (summer) Email: pchockal@calpoly.edu   Hi! My name is Parnika and I am a Biological Sciences major at Cal Poly. I studied abroad in Costa Rica during Summer 2024 for 5 weeks and did a Holistic Health class. I absolutely loved being in San Jose for my classes and was able to explore many parts of the country during weekends. I met so many new amazing people and had the best experience. It was so worth it and I would love to help if you are hoping to start this journey!
Rin	Area(s) of Study: Industrial Engineering Study Abroad Program: CEA CAPA in Paris, France Email: rtanak01@calpoly.edu   Hey! My name is Rin and I studied abroad in Paris, France. I really enjoyed exploring the city and immersing myself in the culture. I met some amazing friends and learned so much from studying abroad. I would love to help anyone find their perfect program and share some experiences I had!
Sophie	Area(s) of Study: Political Science Study Abroad Program: CEA CAPA in Florence, Italy Email: sgolds06@calpoly.edu   Hello! My name is Sophie Goldstein and I studied abroad in Florence, Italy, this past Fall 2024. Studying in Italy introduced me to how expansive our world is, and how beautiful it is. I loved traveling around Europe and experiencing new cultures and communities. My study abroad program was incredibly amazing. My professors were kind, caring, and incredibly welcoming. Living in Italy has been the most lifechanging experience yet, and I am so grateful to have met so many amazing people and expanded my world so much.
Will	Area(s) of Study: Experience Industry Management, Entrepreneurship Minor Study Abroad Program: CEA CAPA in Madrid, Spain Email: wipatter@calpoly.edu   Hi, I'm Will and I'm a fourth-year Experience Industry Management with a minor in Entrepreneurship. I studied abroad on Madrid, Spain where I took classes at Universidad Nebrija. I personally loved Madrid and ended up visiting five other countries all across Europe as well. Studying abroad was some of the best months of my life so far. I highly encourage anyone who's considering studying abroad to do it!

CIEE

Ava	Area(s) of Study: Journalism - Public Relations Study Abroad Program: CIEE in Prague, Czechia Email: ascott58@calpoly.edu   Hi! My name is Ava, I'm a third-year Journalism major concentrating in Public Relations and I studied abroad in Prague with CIEE. Studying abroad was the best decision I have made for myself so far, it was a life-changing experience. Meeting new people, experiencing different cultures, and gaining a broader worldview were some of my favorite parts. I loved it all so much that I plan to go back overseas in the summer for a global internship program!
Emily	Area(s) of Study: English, Environmental Studies Study Abroad Program: CIEE in Edinburgh, Scotland Email: eniebuhr@calpoly.edu   After living in SLO my whole life and attending college in my hometown, I knew I wanted to spend part of my four years of undergrad in another country. Edinburgh appealed to me because of its stunning architecture, rich literary history, and unique geographical location. I loved living by the sea, and I was fortunate to be able to explore the Scottish Highlands and take multiple trips onto continental Europe. This experience solidified my confidence in myself to achieve my goals and be fully self-reliant. It was the most incredible four months of my life.
Lindsey	Area(s) of Study: Sociology (Organizations Concentration) Study Abroad Program: CIEE Internship in Berlin, Germany (summer) Email: lkrydell@calpoly.edu   Hi! My name is Lindsey and I studied abroad/completed an internship in Berlin, Germany in Summer 2025. I really enjoyed working in a German company and learning about their culture through my coworkers. The experience allowed me to go abroad and gain academic credit while also adding to my resume! The program has many different internship options and I got to make friends inside and outside the program! It was really fun exploring Berlin but also traveling to nearby countries during the weekends!
Miya	Area(s) of Study: Communication Studies Study Abroad Program: CIEE in Seoul, South Korea Email: mhoang23@calpoly.edu   Hi, I’m Miya Hoang. I studied abroad last Fall and it really changed my outlook on life! One of the best parts was getting to explore a whole new country and branch out to the surrounding areas. I went snowboarding in South Korea, shopping in Japan, wakeboarding in Thailand and to a music festival in Taiwan, all while getting credits for my major. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions and don’t be afraid to take that first step!