Office of Study Abroad

Study Abroad Ambassadors

The Office of Study Abroad is excited to have Study Abroad Ambassadors, recent study abroad returnees, who want to share their passion for studying abroad with you!

Have you ever:

  • Wanted basic advice before meeting with a study abroad staff member?
  • Wondered where you should start?
  • Wanted to hear a student's perspective on studying abroad?
  • Wanted a peer's advice on how to choose your study abroad program?
  • Wanted to speak with someone who has studied in the location you are interested in?

If you answered YES to any of the above questions, meeting with a Study Abroad Ambassador is a great step to take, no matter where you are in the process! Ambassadors can be reached via their contact information found below. They host office hours and are available to meet in person or on Zoom throughout the semester.

2025-26 Ambassadors

Allan sitting on an apartment balcony in Cairo with a view of the water behind him.
Allan Feldman
Allan (he, him) is a senior double majoring in Economics and Near Eastern & Judaic Studies (NEJS) on the Arabic & Islamic Studies track. He spent his junior year spring semester in Cairo, Egypt, at the American University in Cairo (his classes were in fact taught in English!). While there, he took two graduate courses on security in the Middle East and Cairo literature, while also taking two Arabic language courses and a development economic course. Allan's highlight from his semester was doing a bike packing trip in the Nile Delta where he visited five different cities in three days with a friend, and then blogged about it. Late into the semester, he rode with a local cycling club every Friday morning. Outside of class, Allan enjoyed traveling around Egypt to cities like Siwa, Dahab, Sharm el Sheikh, Luxor, and Aswan. Allan also extended his stay in Egypt for the full summer. He is happy to chat about anything related to study abroad, but specifically can offer a chat about the Jewish experience in an Islamic country.

CONTACT Allan

Anina stands on a cobblestone street in front of a bright yellow house on a sunny day in Copenhagen.
Anina Ghosal
Anina (she, her) is a junior majoring in Economics and HSSP. In the summer 2024 semester, she studied abroad in Copenhagen through Brandeis' Economics in Copenhagen program. She took two Economics classes: micro theory, and behavioral economics, and was able to learn about these topics in a very real-life applicable way. During her time abroad, Anina was able to connect with the local culture and surroundings through her coursework and travels. Having traveled a lot through her lifetime, it was a unique experience to be able to live abroad for a short amount of time and get immersed in the local ways. She enjoyed good food, museums, visiting different cities, amazing people, and getting to be with fellow Brandeis students! Anina is dedicated to making study abroad an accessible experience to all. She is open to talking about anything relating to study abroad and traveling, so don't hesitate to reach out.

CONTACT anina

Samuel poses behind the wheel of a fancy vintage car in Cuba. Behind him is a tall building with street art (an outline of a man) on it.
Samuel Hadego
Samuel (he/him) is a junior majoring in Biology with a minor in Health: Science, Society and Policy. During the summer of 2025, Samuel studied abroad in Merida, Mexico through the IFSA Butler program. He took two classes on comparative and contemporary public health issues, and visited various clinics across the region. During his time in Mexico, he was able to gain a deeper insight into the various forms of health care provided to different people, and how these interpretations can help form better policy for indigenous populations and the country as a whole. During his free time, Samuel enjoyed trying local cuisine, visiting the beach, and going to museums to learn more about the local history and culture.

Contact samuel

Lola stands on a short stone wall with street art on it. Her arms are spread wide and she's smiling.
Lola Hamilton
Lola (she, her) is a senior majoring in Anthropology and German Studies. This past spring, Lola studied abroad in Berlin, Germany. Studying in Berlin gave Lola the opportunity to practice language and cultural immersion skills to help improve her fluency in the language. Outside of class, Lola spent time traveling (visiting 7 other countries!), joining a local gym, and completing her research internship at Berlin International University. Lola left Berlin knowing that she'd be back and she can't wait to share her experience with you all!

CONTACT lola

Emily wears a bright yellow shirt and gestures toward a lit-up ferris wheel on a night in Singapore.
Emily Hou
Emily (she, her) is a senior majoring in Biology and HSSP. She studied abroad at the National University of Singapore (NUS) in Singapore during the year of 2024-2025. During her time there, she took 4 classes on life science, including one with a silent mentor lab, as well as 3 public health courses and one digital art class! These courses allowed her to gain a greater insight on Singapore’s approach to public health issues, mental health awareness, and health equity. Additionally, she immersed in campus life by participating the various extracurriculars and clubs, such as the annual InterHall Games and Hall Block committee. Emily loved exploring Singapore’s historic sites and meeting new people, such as the Minister of Law, K. Shanmugam and Minister of Foreign Affairs, V. Balakrishnan. Her favorite memory of her time in Singapore however, were the late night suppers with the hall friends she made. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, reading, eating new desserts, and looking at bunnies!

CONTACT Emily

Mia stands in front of a large stone Buddha carved into a cliffside.
Mia Levine
Mia (she/her) is a senior double majoring in Environmental Studies and International and Global Studies. In the spring of 2025, she studied abroad in Siem Reap, Cambodia with the School for Field Studies (SFS) focusing on environmental justice and Mekong ecologies. She studied the complex relationship between communities and the environment as well as the interdisciplinary nature of conservation work in Southeast Asia. With this program, she traveled all across Cambodia and conducted her own field research on captive river otter behavior. Some of the highlights of her experience included staying on floating villages, spending days with elephants, and tasting the local delicacies at the night markets. After her program concluded, she continued to travel throughout Southeast Asia before returning to the US. She loved studying in a location outside of her comfort zone, and hopes to encourage other students to be open to new places and experiences!

CONTACT mia

Ella smiles in the foreground with the Sydney Opera House and water at dusk in the background.
Ella Mendelson
Ella (she/her) is a senior studying Anthropology and Sociology. During the fall of her junior year she studied abroad in Sydney, Australia with the Arcadia Abroad program at the University of Sydney. She was able to take classes for both her majors as well as travel the city of Sydney exploring its cafes and cuisines, nature hikes, and beautiful harbour. She also was able to explore the country visiting places like The Great Barrier Reef, the Gold Coast, and Melbourne. Studying abroad gave her the adventure of a lifetime with a new sense of independence, bountiful stories, amazing coffee, and great friends. Ella is happy to share more about her abroad journey and help anyone who has questions in starting their own!

CONTACT ella

Matthew stands smiling in front of the water with a temple and mountain in the distance.
Matthew Norris
Matthew (he, him) is a senior at Brandeis studying International & Global Studies with an International Order focus and Politics with a Legal Studies minor. In the Spring 2025 semester, Matthew studied abroad in Seoul, South Korea, at Yonsei University. During his time at Yonsei, Matthew took courses that allowed him to broaden his world perspective and understand politics, political theory, and public policy from a world lens. Studying abroad in a time of political turmoil, Matthew was able to observe how a Democracy handles an impeachment process and how its citizens reply. Going to Korea was the first time Matthew decided to leave the country, and although it was a scary choice, it ended up being a life-changing experience filled with unforgettable memories, friends, and delicious food and coffee. While abroad, he was privileged enough to visit Japan and Vietnam as well, broadening his world view even further and making comparisons in how different governments across Asia operate. Matthew is happy to talk about his experience in South Korea in any form, whether it be academics, food, his favorite coffee spot or place to sing karaoke in Seoul. He can also answer questions specifically for students scared about leaving their country to go to a far-away location with no prior abroad experience.

CONTACT matthew

Spencer stands on a cobblestone street with the lush green trees and the Alhambra on a hill behind him.
Spencer Realejo
Spencer (he, him) is a senior double majoring in Chemical Biology and Biology with a minor in Hispanic Studies! In Spring 2025, he studied abroad in Granada, Spain, where he immersed himself in both the culture and the healthcare system. While abroad, Spencer interned at a local hospital, gaining valuable insight into international healthcare operations by shadowing professionals in the emergency department. This experience also allowed him to strengthen his Spanish medical vocabulary and communication skills. One of Spencer’s favorite experiences was taking a Flamenco dance class, where he not only learned the art of the dance but also attended local Flamenco performances. He made life-long friends during his time in Granada and is passionate about encouraging other students to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

CONTACT spencer

Zaire stands at the base of a cathedral, gesturing up at the intricately carved facade.
Zaire Simmonds
Zaire Simmonds (he, him) is a senior majoring in Education Studies, with aspirations of becoming a Secondary Math Educator. In the Spring of 2025, Zaire studied abroad in Bath, England through the Advanced Studies in England (ASE) program. His academic experience abroad centered around his passion for education, enrolling in a course on the British education system and completing a hands-on internship teaching Year 6 students at a local primary school. He also pursued his love for creative writing by taking creative writing courses that deepened his appreciation for expressive language and narrative craft. Beyond the classroom, Zaire embraced both the tourist’s wonder and the local’s rhythm. He became a familiar face on ASE’s Instagram through his lighthearted and engaging “Spilling the Tea” series, where he explored local cuisine and shared food reviews with flair. Reflecting on his time abroad, Zaire shares, “Going abroad is a different kind of independence. But it also unlocks parts of yourself you didn’t know existed.” He believes studying abroad is a transformative journey and is committed to helping others navigate the application process and make the most of this life-changing opportunity.

CONTACT zaire

Michelle stands in front of a body of water with the cityscape of Thessaloniki behind her.
Michelle Zuckerberg
Michelle (she/her) is a senior double majoring in Computer Science and Psychology, with minors in Linguistics and Philosophy. Michelle studied abroad in Thessaloniki, Greece during Spring 2025 through the American College of Thessaloniki program! While immersing herself in Greek culture and history, she particularly loved discovering the city's rich historical sites, visiting tons of museums, learning to cook traditional Greek dishes, and practicing her newly learned Greek with friendly locals! What she cherished most about Thessaloniki was the abundance of friendly cats throughout the city. She named most of the ones she encountered and had regulars that lived downstairs! Having moved from Shanghai, China to the US for college, Michelle is passionate about helping others embrace new cultural experiences and is excited to share her study abroad experience to help other students navigate their own international adventures.

CONTACT michelle