Study Abroad Ambassador Program
The Education Abroad Office is launching a student ambassador program! Our main goals are to encourage students from all backgrounds and majors to study abroad, and to increase support for students exploring and preparing for programs abroad.
ETSU students - if you would like to be matched with an ambassador for peer mentoring, please complete this form.
Spring 2024 Ambassador applications are now open! Apply to be an Ambassador here.
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Eligibility
- Must be a current ETSU student in any major and year who will be enrolled during the Fall 2023 semester
- Graduate students, College of Medicine, and College of Pharmacy students are also welcome to apply
- Must have studied abroad at the college level through an ETSU-approved program
- At this time, the program is only open to students who are or will be located on or near an ETSU campus in Spring 2024
- 20 students will be accepted into the program, including 4 leadership positions
- Leadership positions are only open to students who served as a Study Abroad Ambassador during the Fall 2023 semester
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Roles & Commitment
- Study Abroad Blue Ambassador
- 1 semester commitment
- 10 hours per semester, including monthly group meetings and trainings
- Point system used to track contributions: 20 points, 1 point = 30 minutes
- $250 scholarship, $125 disbursed at beginning of the semester and $125 disbursed at end of the semester
- Study Abroad Gold Ambassador
- 1 semester commitment
- 20 hours per semester, including monthly group meetings and trainings
- Point system to track contributions: 40 points, 1 point = 30 minutes
- $500 scholarship, $250 disbursed at beginning of the semester and $250 disbursed at end of the semester
- Study Abroad Blue Ambassador
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Leadership Roles
- Leadership positions are only open to students who served as a Study Abroad Ambassador during the Fall 2023 semester
- You can apply to be a Study Abroad Ambassador Leader here.
- Commitment
- 1 semester commitment
- 30 hours per semester, including monthly group meetings and trainings
- Each leadership position will serve as a contact point between other ambassadors and the Education Abroad Office. Leaders will help organize efforts in their designated area, lead meetings related to their designated area, and work with other leaders on coordinated projects.
- $750 scholarship, $375 disbursed at beginning of the semester and $375 disbursed at end of the semester
- Event Leaders (two positions)
- Study Abroad Fair (Fall only)
- International Education Week (Fall only)
- Study Abroad Day (Spring only)
- Interest sessions
- Tabling
- Other events
- Marketing Leader (1 position)
- Social media
- Flyers
- Digital signs
- Website
- Other advertising efforts
- Research & Mentoring Leader (1 position)
- Advising & identity guides
- Credit approval form compilation
- Other research projects
- Matching mentees with study abroad ambassadors
- Overseeing and organizing small group mentoring sessions
- Other tasks related to mentoring
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What you'll receive
- A scholarship of $250, $500, or $750 depending on your role, with half disbursed at beginning of the semester and half disbursed at end of the semester
- Leadership, student service, and professional development opportunities
- A supportive team and community
- The ability to work on student-led projects
- A space to share your study abroad experiences with others
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Example activities
- Tabling, briefly presenting at info sessions & predeparture meetings, helping with Study Abroad Fair and other events
- Meeting with students 1-1 or in small groups to answer questions and share advice
- Social media, marketing materials, research & resource creation
- Propose your own projects or activities
Rebekah Allen
Major/Minor: History, Secondary Education
Study Abroad Program(s): University of Limerick semester exchange in Ireland
Advice for students interested in studying abroad: If you're nervous about leaving home, that means you're doing the right thing! This is the best way to travel before you're out in the world on your own.
Fun fact: I grew up on a cattle farm!
Grace Almann-Camacho
Major/Minor: Geosciences, Communication Studies, Global Citizen Scholars
Study Abroad Program(s): ETSU Faculty-Led Global Citizen Scholars summer program in the UK & Ireland; ETSU Faculty-Led Geosciences spring break program in Ecuador; ETSU Faculty-Led Geosciences summer program in New Zealand
Advice for students interested in studying abroad: Consider what you love, or what gets you excited! There are so many opportunities
when you study abroad, your options become limitless. There are easy paths to get
you where you want to go!
Fun fact: I love beautiful scenery on a warm sunny day.
Kimia Ataran
Major/Minor: Chemistry, Mathematics
Study Abroad Program(s): ETSU Faculty-Led Honors summer program in Paris, France
Advice for students interested in studying abroad: Here's your chance to reach your study abroad program goals, so make a bucket list. Making friends who speak the language of the country you're going to visit would help you learn.
Fun fact: My name means chemistry in Arabic and I'm also majoring in chemistry.
Alexa Barker
Major/Minor: Management
Study Abroad Program(s): EWHA Woman's University academic year in South Korea
Advice for students interested in studying abroad: Be yourself. No matter where you go in the world, never lose yourself in the new place you end up, have courage, and no matter how hard it may get, be kind to those around you.
Fun fact: I played hockey in Chicago.
Kate Boundy
Major/Minor: Music, General Business
Study Abroad Program(s): TnCIS Faculty-Led summer program in Germany & Austria; Harlaxton College summer program in the UK
Advice for students interested in studying abroad: When it comes to doing program applications and scholarships, start as early as you can. This will give you plenty of time to polish your applications and ask for help if you run into difficulties.
Fun fact: I can speak proficient German and I've been to Europe four times!
Lindsay Burns
Major/Minor: Interior Architecture, Global Citizen Scholars
Study Abroad Program(s): ETSU Faculty-Led Medical Humanities summer program in the UK; ETSU Faculty-Led Global Citizen Scholars summer program in Ecuador
Advice for students interested in studying abroad: These travel opportunities are truly once in a lifetime, so always take advantage of your time abroad.
Fun fact: I have been to 47 states.
Kennedy Hunt
Major/Minor: Health Sciences, Global Citizen Scholars
Study Abroad Program(s): ETSU Faculty-Led Global Citizen Scholars summer program in the UK & Ireland; ETSU Faculty-Led Changemakers spring break program in Ecuador; ETSU Faculty-Led Medical Humanities summer program in the UK
Advice for students interested in studying abroad: Do not hesitate to ask any lurking questions you may have, regardless of if you pursue it or not. Ask for permission to go do an activity that isn't on the itinerary, ask if there are more scholarship opportunities, ask if anyone wants to go for a walk and grab coffee before the group starts their day - it will make your experience one that is individualized to you.
Fun fact: As of this year, I have played the flute for a decade!
Kacey Lefevers
Major/Minor: Gatton College of Pharmacy
Study Abroad Program(s): ETSU Faculty-Led QCOM & GCOP summer program in Ecuador
Advice for students interested in studying abroad: If you have a dream of studying abroad, chase that dream! There are so many resources available for you to study abroad, and there are so many people cheering you on along the way.
Fun fact: I'm a huge football fan and my cousin, Trent Taylor, plays for the Chicago Bears!
Finn Shirley
Major/Minor: Philosophy, Political Science, Changemaking
Study Abroad Program(s): ETSU Faculty-Led Changemakers summer program in the UK; ETSU Faculty-Led Changemakers spring break program in Ecuador
Advice for students interested in studying abroad: Think about how you will feel when you look back on this time and consider the experiences that you took advantage of and the ones that passed you by. Putting yourself in new environments where you push yourself to try new things is where you will grow the most.
Fun fact: I am in the inaugural class of Changemakers Scholars in the Honors College.
Dylan Singleton
Major/Minor: M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction
Study Abroad Program(s): TnCIS Faculty-Led summer program in Berlin, Amsterdam, & Paris
Advice for students interested in studying abroad: If I had any advice for a student interested in studying abroad, I would say to try all the things, meet all the people, and step out of your comfort zone. Taking that leap could make for one of the best experiences of your life!
Fun fact: I absolutely love amusement parks and almost every time I travel, I try to go to one! It's a personality trait at this point.
Alyssa Taylor
Major/Minor: Nursing, Spanish for Professions
Study Abroad Program(s): ETSU Faculty-Led Spanish summer program in Ecuador
Advice for students interested in studying abroad: Studying abroad IS possible, even when it seems impossible! The perfect trip is waiting for you; all you have to do is find it and start planning.
Fun fact: I love Jesus, cats, and coffee! I hope to be a travel nurse and help people with language barriers.
Sydney Wilder
Major/Minor: Management, Spanish
Study Abroad Program(s): ETSU Faculty-Led Global Year spring program in Ecuador; ETSU Faculty-Led Changemakers summer program in the UK; ISA spring semester program in Costa Rica; ETSU Faculty-Led Spanish summer program in Ecuador
Advice for students interested in studying abroad: Be proactive! Ask your professors for help scheduling your classes or improving your language skill. Seek out people who have studied abroad before and can give you advice. Reach out to other students in your program or host country before you arrive. Studying abroad is a scary process, but it is much easier when you have people to help you through it.
Fun fact: I love to braid hair! I taught myself when I was younger and have worked a few proms, formals, and weddings over the years.
Paige Wilson
Major/Minor: Psychology, Environmental Studies
Study Abroad Program(s): ETSU Faculty-Led Global Year spring program in Ecuador; ETSU Faculty-Led summer program in the UK; University of Waikato semester program in New Zealand
Advice for students interested in studying abroad: Keep an open mind and embrace the unknown, as new experiences allow one to gain new perspectives which can impact one's life forever.
Fun fact: I am the president of the volleyball club and love playing competitively and recreationally.