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.
2022-23 Ambassadors

- Program: Language and Area Studies in Rome (IES) (Spring 2022)
- Office hours: 4-5 p.m. Mondays in the Office of Study Abroad (Usdan 169)
- Pronouns: she/her
Alex is a senior majoring in anthropology with an art history and Latin American, Caribbean and Latinx studies double minor. She went on the IES Abroad Rome — Language and Area Studies program in Spring 2022. While in Rome, she was able to study the rich archaeological record of the city as well as the country's art and conservation efforts. While in Italy, Alex was able to build on her Italian language skills while exploring the city and traveling around the country. Her favorite thing to do was take trips to new provinces and have unique experiences like pasta making and scenic hikes.
What Alex loved most about Rome was the endless amount of things to do and see. On her weekends, she went to museums and found a traditional Italian restaurant nearby to eat at afterward. She met a lot of locals during her time in Italy and found ordering coffee was the best way to speak to learn about peoples' lives. Alex found Rome a very welcoming big city with a lot of little adventures just waiting around the corner.

- Programs: Brandeis in Siena (Summer 2021); Intensive Spanish Immersion in Toledo (UMN) (Spring 2022)
- Office hours: 2-3 p.m. Tuesdays in the Office of Study Abroad (Usdan 169)
- Pronouns: she/her
Aileen is a senior majoring in art history, education studies and English. Her first experience outside of the United States was in Summer 2021 with the Siena program. The program offered her the opportunity to take her first studio painting course, using the layered painting techniques employed in the Early Renaissance by Italian masters. Living in Siena while learning about the Sienese masters gave her the opportunity to immerse herself in the history of art in ways courses at Brandeis could not.
She loved the experience so much that she chose to study abroad for a second time in another medieval city rich in art history, and spent Spring 2022 in Toledo, Spain. She studied the art and architecture of Toledo, exclusively taught in Spanish at a school for international students. She lived with a host family who spoke no English and became deeply immersed in the Spanish language and culture. Some of the highlights of Aileen’s study abroad programs include living in small, walkable cities and eating some of the best food in the world.

- Program: Yonsei University (CIEE) (Spring 2022)
- Office hours: 10-11 a.m. Wednesdays in the Office of Study Abroad (Usdan 169); 7-8 p.m. Mondays on Zoom
- Pronouns: she/her
Natalie s a senior majoring in biochemistry. In her junior year, Spring 2022, she studied at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, as part of the CIEE program. Through her time abroad, she was able to learn more about Korean history and culture in her courses at Yonsei. One of her favorite classes looked at politics and its relationship with media throughout the peninsula's history, which was a very different topic than the ones she took at Brandeis.
Outside of classes, Natalie enjoyed exploring Seoul's various neighborhoods and eating great food! Her favorite food is called samgyetang, a ginseng chicken soup and soondubu jjigae, a spicy tofu stew. Natalie also enjoyed taking small trips outside of Seoul to the various cities in South Korea. One of her favorite trips was to Busan, a southern port city, where she ate delicious seafood and saw amazing coastal sites! She loved her study abroad experience and hopes ton help others do the same!

- Program: Development Studies and Internship in Chiang Mai (Spring 2022)
- Office hours: Noon-1 p.m. Tuesdays in the Office of Study Abroad (Usdan 169)
- Pronouns: she/her
Ivy Dall is a senior majoring in international and global studies, with minors in legal studies and climate justice, science and policy. She spent the spring semester of her junior year studying international development in Chiang Mai, Thailand. She spent the first seven weeks of her program learning Thai and taking classes on the history of Thailand, international development, sustainable food systems, and participating in weekly field studies.
In the second half of her program, she was placed with an organization in the community for an internship where she learned about environmental advocacy and protection in Thailand. Some of her favorite moments from her time abroad were spending the day taking care of elephants, summiting the highest peak in Thailand, Doi Inthanon, and getting to travel all around the country and truly experience its beauty. She can't wait to tell you all how eye-opening studying abroad can be and encourage students to choose a program where they are truly able to explore their interests in new and exciting ways!

- Program: Galapagos Academic Institute for the Arts and Sciences (IES) (Spring 2022)
- Office hours: 11 a.m.-noon Mondays in the Office of Study Abroad (Usdan 169)
- Pronouns: he/him
Saul Goldstein is a senior majoring in studio art as well as film, television and interactive media, with a minor in psychology. Saul attended the Galapagos Academic Institute for the Arts and Sciences (IES) program in San Cristóbal, Galapagos, during the Spring 2022 semester. There, he participated in the People, Politics and the Environment academic track. He had an awesome time exploring new material that was different from his typical academic course load!
Outside of class, Saul spent most of his time on the beach (across the street from school!), hiking, snorkeling and cooking with his host mom. Saul had a truly incredible time studying abroad and can’t wait to share his experience with prospective study abroad students!

- Program: Brandeis in Mérida (Summer 2022)
- Office hours: 10-11 a.m. Thursdays in the Office of Study Abroad (Usdan 169)
- Pronouns: she/her
Yahni Lapa is a senior majoring in Health: Science, Society, and Policy and minoring in anthropology and international and global studies. She studied abroad in Mérida, Mexico, with the first-ever Brandeis in Mérida Summer 2022 program. There, Yahni took two classes on public health in Latin America and also took trips to many health foundations in the area.
Outside of academics, she and her group went to the beach, explored the nightlife and ate delicious food, thanks to their incredible host families. She loved her time in Mérida, and she hopes to go back soon!

- Program: Cultural Identity, Social Justice, and Community Development in Valparaiso (SIT) (Spring 2022)
- Office hours: 1-2 p.m. Tuesdays in the Office of Study Abroad (Usdan 169)
- Pronouns: they/them/theirs
Rynn Parrack is a senior studying psychology and sociology. They love traveling and studied abroad in Chile in Spring 2022. They also work in the ACC lab with Dr. Gutchess and study cross-cultural differences with a focus on the perception of abstract objects. In their free time, they actively volunteer for The Right to Immigration Institute, direct plays and musicals, chat with new friends and work in the SCC theater.
- Program: Brandeis in Copenhagen (Summer 2022)
- Office hours: 10-11 a.m. Fridays in the Office of Study Abroad (Usdan 169)
- Pronouns: she/her
Weini Xue is a sophomore majoring in economics. Weini attended the Brandeis in Copenhagen program in Copenhagen, Denmark, during the Summer 2022 semester. She spent five weeks in Copenhagen taking classes on microeconomic theory and behavioral economics while exploring the city and learning the history of Denmark.
Outside of academics, Weini enjoyed taking short trips with friends to museums, restaurants and markets. She had a wonderful time studying abroad and learning more about the economics in a different country. The program allowed her to have a global prospective through the cultural immersion, and she would like to share more about her experience with prospective study abroad students!