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Meet the Staff
The Global Learning team strives to provide students the opportunity to study, explore, and engage with other cultures—to broaden their perspective and involvement in the world.
Alice Michel - Director
globallearning@ucsc.eduAlice Michel(she/her) has worked in the field of international education for over ten years. While receiving her B.A. in Anthropology and English from UC Santa Barbara, Alice studied abroad on UCEAP during her junior year at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. After graduating, she participated in the JET Program, teaching English in Japan for two years. She has traveled extensively around Asia, Europe, and parts of Africa, totaling over 30 countries. In addition to travel, Alice enjoys hiking, backpacking, attempting to learn French, and running.
Alice's message about global learning: I had always intended to study abroad while I was in college and started preparing my first day on campus. As a financial aid student, I routinely worked extra hours at my job at the campus library to save intently the two years prior and even started working full time during my final year of college all to help pay for the experience. While I expected my junior year abroad in Scotland to be full of adventure, I did not expect what a profound influence that year would have on life, personally and professionally. That year abroad not only changed my post-graduate plans, but also changed my outlook on life and directed me toward a career path in international education. I have had many international adventures since, including an extended time living and teaching Japan and volunteering in India, and my wanderlust, sense of adventure, and drive for global learning continues in everything I do.
Emma May - Assistant Director
globallearning@ucsc.eduAdvises on: Independent Programs and General Advising on All Programs
Scholarships: UCEAP, Boren, Gilman
Emma May (she/her) grew up on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. She is a first-generation college student and earned her B.F.A. in Fine Art and M.A in Art Education from Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University. During her B.F.A., Emma studied abroad at The University of Stellenbosch in South Africa and participated in a research project, "Art in Schools Initiative." After graduating, Emma conducted research on creativity and culture as a Presidential Scholar with Semester at Sea and traveled throughout Asia, Africa, and Europe. After completing her research, Emma began a career in International Education as she firmly believes that global experiences can help ignite a student's personal, professional, and creative growth. Emma enjoys surfing, playing the fiddle, gardening, creating art, and exploring the outdoors.
Emma's message about global learning: As a first-generation college student who worked several jobs while juggling school, I never thought studying abroad was something I could do. When my academic advisor shared the opportunity to study sculpture and art education in the last semester of my senior year in Cape Town and Stellenbosch, South Africa, I went for it. Being part of this program, and learning from my diverse host community shaped the way I choose to lead my life and encouraged me to do deep reflection on my own identities, subjectivities, and privileges. I grew tremendously as a human being, an educator and an artist. No matter what your story is, there is a global learning opportunity out there for you. Connect with our team soon to learn about all of the possibilities!
Ashley Bayman - Coordinator and Advisor
globallearning@ucsc.eduAdvises on: UCSC Global Internships, UCDC, and UCEAP
Scholarships: UCEAP, Gilman, Fund for Education Abroad, Campus-Based
Ashley Bayman (she/her/ella) is an Ohio native who completed a dual B.A. in Latin American Studies and Spanish from The Ohio State University. During her undergraduate, she studied abroad in Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina and discovered a passion for international education and travel. After graduating, Ashley took a gap year to travel to 30 countries across Latin America and Europe. It was during this life-changing journey that Ashley became committed to ensuring that students from all backgrounds benefit from the academic, social, and professional advantages of
international education. She went on to earn an M.A. in International Education Management from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. Prior to joining the UCSC Global Learning team, Ashley served as an international education program leader in Mexico and Spain.Ashley's message about global learning: As a first-generation, low-income, student of color, I was never encouraged to study foreign languages or cultures, let alone go to another country to do so. Making it into the university from community college, for me, was a feat in itself. Notwithstanding, I worked two jobs as a waitress and bartender to support myself in college, and by working as much as possible and taking out loans, was able to study abroad. In community college, I had my first opportunity to participate in a short-term faculty-led program in Cuernavaca, Mexico (which was also my first-time-ever traveling on an airplane!). After arriving at the Ohio State University, I expanded my intercultural experience by studying in both Brazil and Argentina. Studying abroad completely changed my life trajectory and inspired me to pursue a profession that would allow me to support other students who have been conditioned to think that “studying abroad is not for me.” Our global learning team is here to let you know that wherever the world takes you, you belong, and we are here to help you get there!
Emma Beckman - Coordinator and Advisor
globallearning@ucsc.eduAdvises on: UCSC Partner Programs
Emma Beckman (she/her) is an Indiana native who completed her B.A. in Japanese Studies at Earlham College. Her interest in international education began during her participation in the Japan Study program where she spent one year studying abroad at Waseda University in Tokyo. After graduating, she spent two years teaching English to elementary and junior high school students in Morioka, Japan through the EC-ALT Program (Earlham College Assistant Language Program). She then moved to Tokyo where she worked as a translator, a network engineer, and as a Study Abroad Advisor and Coordinator at Waseda University where she helped Waseda students participate in study abroad programs all over the world. In total, Emma spent seven years working and living in Japan before moving back to the states. In her free time, Emma likes to hike, read, watercolor, and relax on the beach.
Emma's message about global learning: As a child, I would often look at travel books and dream about seeing the world (and getting out of Indiana)! The first time I traveled abroad was for my study abroad exchange program at Waseda University during my junior year of college. It was my first time out of the country, living in a big city, and being so far away from friends and family. While there was the occasional challenge, I thoroughly enjoyed studying abroad in Tokyo, and that experience had a huge impact on my life. So much so that I decided to live and work there after graduating! Not only did my time spent living abroad enhance my belief in the importance of global learning and cultural exchange, and that everyone should have the chance and opportunity to experience it, it provided me with a new lens through which to view my own culture and experiences. You never know where participating in a global learning program will take you, and our global learning team is here to help open the door to global learning opportunities!
Jenna Tantillo - Coordinator and Advisor
globallearning@ucsc.eduAdvises on: Global Seminars
Since completing their first semester abroad in Spain during high school, study abroad has been an important part of Jenna's (she/they) life. Jenna focuses on bringing elements of wellness and inclusivity to all aspects of the study abroad process so that students and other stakeholders can show up authentically to navigate international education spaces with ease. Jenna holds a BA in Global Studies from Sonoma State University and an MA in International Education Management from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. During their higher education journey, Jenna studied for a year in Chile, interned for a semester in Spain, and completed the multi-destination program Semester at Sea. Jenna is a lifelong learner and appreciates the deep reflection that is possible when engaged in intercultural experiences. Outside of work, Jenna delights in the human experience through moving and breathing, writing and reading poems, and spending time outdoors.
Jenna's message about global learning: Through my study abroad participation and personal travels, it has become clear that the depth to which I can engage with intercultural experiences is directly related to how resourced I am. To me, being resourced means regularly tending to the components of my personal wellness - physical, social, spiritual, emotional, intellectual, environmental, financial, and occupational. As an advisor, I support students in prioritizing their personal wellness throughout their study abroad journey. From this resourced place where wellness needs are met, we can show up with more energy and curiosity and are better equipped to receive the countless lessons of a global learning experience.
Madison Lucero - Outreach Coordinator
globallearning@ucsc.eduAdvises on: UCEAP
Madison is a UCSC transfer student alumna, and had her first international education experience while studying abroad in Córdoba, Spain through UCEAP, which fueled her motivation to continue traveling. After graduating from UCSC with a B.A. in Psychology, she earned her teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) certificate and moved to Chiang Mai, Thailand where she worked as an international school teacher and confirmed her calling of supporting students in their own global endeavors. She returned home to pursue a career in international education and earned her M.A. in International Education Management from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. Madison is excited to join the Global Learning team and give back to the UCSC community.
Madison's message about global learning: Although I’ve always had a niche for traveling, studying abroad was my first international experience outside of a family vacation, and it truly sparked my interest in international education and changed my life. Living in another country felt like a different world. Yet at the same time, it showed me that we are all united by our humanity. As someone who struggles with anxiety, studying abroad showed me how capable I really am, and it allowed me to discover myself when my comfort zone was no longer present. More than anything, I believe in the transformative power of study abroad and I am dedicated to helping students from all backgrounds pursue this life-changing opportunity.
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