Student Stories

In this series, students explore their global experiences in relation to their identities by asking, “Who am I abroad?”

If you would like to be connected with a study abroad alum who has participated in your program type or location, or shares a similar theme or identity, please submit the Connect with Alumni Request Form.

If you are a study abroad alumni interested in sharing your story, please fill out an interest form.


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Ciao! My name is Saman Arzo, I recently graduated with honors in sociology at UCSC, and I studied abroad at the University of Bologna through UCEAP in spring 2024. Studying away as a first-generation transfer student of color was daunting yet enriching. It was daunting because I had been anticipating how to reach my goal […]
My name is Astarte Brown and I am a fifth year Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Major at UC Santa Cruz. In Spring 2024, I had the opportunity to fulfill my childhood dream of studying abroad at the University of Queensland in Australia through their Marine Biology & Terrestrial Ecology Program. As a 27-year-old transfer/re-entry, Renaissance […]
Hello, my name is Katie Hall, and I’m a Psychology and Sociology double major at UC Santa Cruz. In Fall 2023, during my third year, I studied abroad with UCEAP at the University of Barcelona. I always knew I wanted to study abroad in college, but as a high financial-need student, I worried my dream […]
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My name is Caira Jordan and I’m a Film & Digital Media major. I studied abroad with UCEAP at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia in spring semester 2023, and I will be attending the upcoming Film History & Preservation Global Seminar in Bologna, Italy in summer 2024. Studying abroad as an African American […]

Last modified: Jan 09, 2025