Study Abroad Team
Behind every great journey is a great guide
About
Global Titan Ambassadors
The Global Titans Ambassador (GTA) team is comprised of some of the coolest Study Abroad & Global Engagement (SAGE) alumni you will meet! Our main duties are to share our experiences, to provide general information about the SAGE programs CSUF has to offer, and to inspire other Titans to seize their chance to become Global Titans.
Our Team
Alexa Alvarez
Major: Pre-Business
CSUF: ACCT 201B in Florence, Italy
"The cultural reveal of how such a small city could seem both personal with locals and teeming with tourists, many of whom were fellow study abroad students, was one of the highlights of my study abroad experience in Florence. The ease that you could meet people from all around the world, even if you had never met them before, was captivating."
1. Go into the experience with an open mind.
2. Take advantage of scholarships.
3. Don’t worry too much about the language barrier.
Bettina Calaquian
Major: International Business
CSU IP Germany: Reutlingen University
"Being immersed in the German culture for a whole year was an amazing experience. From living with a host family, to traveling the continent, and meeting my now fiancée— I strongly encourage fellow Titans to be courageous and explore the world through CSUF's study abroad programs!"
1. Plan early! It can be a tedious process so allow yourself sometime to properly figure things out (e.g., what program to apply for, budgeting, acquiring visas, etc.)
2. Speak with locals! This is your opportunity to learn a new language or get familiar with a new culture. Immerse yourself in the community!
3. Say yes more! The more you open you are to new experience, the more you can get out of studying abroad.
Ellie Chan
Major: Marketing
CSU IP Taiwan: National Taiwan University
"While abroad, I did a lot of volunteer work. I did the ICL Program(International Cultural Leadership). ICL is where I meet kids weekly on Google Meetings to help them share my culture and improve their English. The Program allows kindergarten through 12 kids in rural/less developed areas in Taiwan to gain more exposure to English. I got to service a middle school, and I got to visit them as well. Seeing the faces I saw during my Google Meet calls was nice. When I went to visit, I got to see other schools as well; they all prepared gifts and activities for us to bond."
1. Your time there is short, so experience everything you can.
2. Pack light cause you'll end up with 2+ suitcases when you return.
3. If you are worried about making friends or being in a new space, remember other people are going to be in the program, and they are going through the same thing. So make new friends and just be open minded.
Samantha Dreyer
Major: Psychology
CSUF: HSS 350 & ENGL 301 in Vienna, Austria
"Vienna has the mist beautiful and interesting architecture, and the city has a wonderful public transportation system. You can also get to many other major cities in Europe with a short train or plane ride!"
1. Get an e-sim or international phone plan plus a credit card with no foreign transaction fees.
2. Learn military time.
3. Carry cash! (you will need coins to use the public restrooms.)
Beverly Gonzalez
Major: Art, Graphic and Interactive Design Concentration
CSUF: ART 495 in Denmark
"With everything being somewhat a walking distance, I would walk almost 5 miles everyday with my classmates back to our hotel taking different routes exploring around the city! We got to explore so many different parks, shops, and neighborhoods!"
1. Be flexible and open to change (especially when it comes to flights have a backup!)
2. Learn the language and your country's customs beforehand.
3. If possible place an airtag on your luggage to track if lost!
Hugo Munoz
Major:
CSUF: KNES in Greece
"Every single day, there were unforgettable moments which have fulfilled me to climb for new peaks and to reach & surpass expectations. The most profound experience during my time in ancient Greece was when we were all in Olympia. One early morning, I ran around the International Olympic Academy to explore new trails. As a mountain runner, running on new trails is like playing on a playground as a little kid. During my run, I sat on the edge of a trail to see the sun rise. For 20 still minutes, for once, I was truly in the present moment. Undoubtedly, it was the most beautiful run I have ever been on. This sense of fulfillment, happiness and purpose overwhelmed me. Since that day, I’ve said “efcharistó” everyday to everything and to everyone. This means, ‘Thank you” in Greek. For me, efcharistó means a deep gratitude to someone or to something. It forever changed me as a person and on the outlook of life for the better."
1. Be on top of all of the applications, deadlines and paperwork. Do not procrastinate.
2. Take the time to learn some basic conversations in the foreign language.
3. Be mindful of the country’s traditions and social customs.
4. Don’t say “no”, you may only be in the country once in your entire life.
5. Appreciate what life has to offer.
Camila Torres-Padilla
Major: Art, Entertainment Animation
CSU IP Italy: Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze
"My abroad experience in Florence, Italy was overall wonderful. Thanks to CSUF SAGE & CSU IP, I got to study at two schools: CSU Florence Center and also at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze. I met so many people from my program and in Italy that continue to be meaningful relationships to me to this day. I absolutely loved the food, music, and overall vibe."
1. Start learning the language before your program. You don’t have to be a fluent speaker, but going on apps and learning the basics is super helpful.
2. Be open minded to other perspectives. Remind yourself that other countries have their own society, educational system, and culture different then the United States. Having patience and openness to very important when traveling abroad.
3. Research the weather in the country you are going to. It helps with planning what clothes to bring and what yuou can buy over there.
Paloma Villaneda
Major: Pre-Business
CSUF: ACCT 201B in Florence, Italy
"The highlight of my study abroad experience was all of the incredible people I was able to meet and learn from/about. My study abroad experiece wouldnt have been 'life changing' if it werent for the amazing people from various parts of the world in which I was privileged to cross paths with."
1. Allow yourself to fully engulf into the culture abroad and try that new food, take that day trip, and take advantage of every opportunity presented to you.
2. Branch out, meet new people, and expand your knowledge of the world through this. Once abroad, letting go of all social anxiety and really finding a new extroverted version of yourself is more achievable than you may think, it has made me a better person coming back from being abroad and a better person overall.
3. Be open minded and roll with the punches. This experience will help you grow as a person and this doesnt happen without going out of your comfort zone so just be open to it and accept the change it makes in your life.
