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.


Filter student stories using the options below.

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 […]
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 […]
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Hello, my name is Mariah. I am majoring in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology here at UC Santa Cruz. During my undergraduate career, I conducted field research in the breathtaking habitats of Costa Rica, South Africa, and Malawi. As a first-generation college student from a low-income family, these adventures were a treasure beyond imagination that would […]
My name is Hayley Sanchez, and I am a Film and Digital Media Studies and Latin American and Latino Studies double major. As a first-generation, low-income, Latina person of color, studying abroad was an experience that forever changed my perspective on work possibilities, challenged me to get out of my comfort zone, and exposed me […]
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My name is Kaylee Campos, and I am a LALS/Politics double major. As a first-generation, Latinx student, studying away at the nation’s capital through the UCDC program was a transformative and memorable experience. It was very meaningful because I interned with The Hispanic Caucus BOLD PAC, where I had the chance to meet and interact […]
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My name is Max Rogozienski. I am an Astrophysics major at UC Santa Cruz. I studied abroad for my third year at Universitat de Barcelona in the fall of 2022, and King’s College London in the winter and spring of 2023. I am a working-class student, and I have always been very grateful for financial […]
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Hello! My name is Nallely Gutiérrez, and I am an Intensive Psychology major. My study abroad experience began in Barcelona, Spain, where I interned abroad through the Psychology and Cognitive Science Global Internship program. I chose this program because it fulfilled a requirement for my major and it was a perfect opportunity for me to […]
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My name is Denilson Perez, and I’m a Latin America and Latinx Studies/Sociology combined major and Language Studies minor. My study abroad experience took place in two different locations; Bologna, Italy, and Mexico City, Mexico. I attended both of these programs through the University of California Education Abroad Program (UCEAP). My study abroad experience was […]
Hello, my name is Michael. I am a second-year transfer student with a passion for Sociology and Philosophy. I had the opportunity to study and intern abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina, through the Latin American and Latino Studies (LALS) Global Internship Program. Studying abroad as a first-generation student of color and a social science major […]
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Hey there! My name is Emilie and I am a current third-year environmental sciences major. I studied abroad in France during the summer and fall of 2022. When I left for France in June it was my very first time ever leaving the United States. I am also a current Renaissance scholar and EOP student. […]
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Last modified: Oct 22, 2024