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!

FIRST YEAR GO PROGRAM

Kaylyn

Area(s) of Study: Economics, Spanish/Statistics Minors Study Abroad Program: First Year GO (Global Opportunities) in Seville, 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!

Angela

Area(s) of Study: Business Administration, Ethic Studies, Spanish, Queer Studies, Studio Art Study Abroad Program: First Year GO (Global Opportunities) in Seville, 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.

CAL POLY GLOBAL PROGRAMS

Cody	Area(s) of Study: Mechanical Engineering Study Abroad Program: Cal Poly in Rome: Mechanics Email: cleveau@calpoly.edu   Hello! My name is Cody Leveau, and I am a rising third-year mechanical engineering student. While studying abroad, I really enjoyed embracing the awkwardness of not knowing the language. I believe that speaking different languages is incredibly important and through these sometimes awkward interactions with local italians, I took it upon myself to better familiarize myself with the language and fully experience Italian culture.
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

Alyssa	Area(s) of Study: Business Administration Financial Management Study Abroad Program: CEA CAPA Florence, Italy - Business & Marketing 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.
Ari	Area(s) of Study: Biological Sciences Study Abroad Program: CEA CAPA Atlantis Pre-Health Shadowing Program in Perugia, Italy 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.
Denton	Area(s) of Study: Financial Management Study Abroad Program: CEA CAPA Madrid, Spain - Liberal Arts & Business Email: dleber@calpoly.edu   My name is Denton Leber, and I am a Financial Management student. I recently returned from studying abroad for the fall semester through the CEA CAPA program in Madrid, Spain. While it was challenging to navigate my classes and adjust to the new campus at Nebrija University at first, I found that overcoming those challenges was very rewarding and helped me build the perfect class schedule for my time in Madrid. Besides the academic experience, I enjoyed immersing myself in the Spanish culture and using my home base in Madrid to travel to other incredible places throughout Europe, such as Florence, Amsterdam, and Ibiza. I plan to share my experiences with future students, so they too can take full advantage of their time studying abroad.
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.
Parnika	Area(s) of Study: Biological Sciences Study Abroad Program: CEA CAPA San Jose, Costa Rica - Spanish Language, Liberal Arts & Environmental Sciences 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 took 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!

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!