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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Hi, my name is Jasmine Fortez, and I’m a third-year Computer Science major at UC Santa Cruz. I studied abroad in Singapore through the UCEAP Global Internship Program, where I interned as a mobile developer and received the UCEAP Internship Award for my work. Studying abroad as a low-income, Filipina, first-generation student in STEM was […]
Hi, my name is Ashley Hom, and I recently graduated with a degree in cognitive science with a concentration in AI/HCI. Through UCEAP, I studied abroad in Hong Kong at the University of Hong Kong during the fall 2024 semester. Studying abroad as a first-generation student gave me the opportunity to connect with my heritage […]
My name is Mia Gibb, and I am a fourth-year student studying Global and Community Health. I have been fortunate enough to have participated in two study abroad programs with UCSC. The first program I went on was the Global Seminar: Travel Writing in Ireland in Summer 2022. I then went back overseas to study […]
Hey! My name is Allison Duran, and I’m a Psychology, Education, and Latin American and Latino Studies triple major. I chose to study abroad in Argentina through the summer LALS internship program. Studying abroad was always something on my bucket list, but as a low-income, first-generation, student of color, it seemed unattainable the more I […]

Last modified: Jan 09, 2025