Peer Mentors


Need Guidance? We've Got It!

Looking into your options for studying abroad?  If so, talk to an Education Abroad Peer Mentor.  Peer Mentors are students who have studied abroad and can share their insights, enthusiasm, tips, and advice.
Peer Mentors are a great source of support and assistance as you sift through the many choices for studying abroad. Trying to decide between living in an apartment or doing a homestay?  Our Peer Mentors have done both and can share the pros and cons of each option.  Not sure if a short or long term program is best for you?  We have Mentors who have made the choice and can talk you through your decision.  Simply put, they have been there, done that, and can help you clarify your goals for studying abroad so that you pick the best possible program.
Once you have narrowed down your program choices to 3 - 4 options, then it is time to meet with one of our Education Abroad Advisors.  They can help you with the final selection process and guide you through all aspects of studying abroad. 
Stop by Education Abroad in 1125 Holzapfel to see a Peer Mentor or email us to set up a time to talk.
We are out there!

Peer Mentors are also available to visit your student organization, fraternity/sorority, residence hall, or class and share information about the many ways Maryland students can JUST GO AWAY!  To request a presentation by a Peer Mentor, email our Outreach Coordinator.

 

2012- 2013 Peer Mentors

Amee
Amee’s first experience abroad during her undergraduate career was traveling to Guatemala with the Alternative Breaks program to understand rural sustainable development. Recently, she traveled to Uganda during Spring Break to expand her knowledge of global sustainable development projects. She also studied abroad in Peru, where she traveled to the Amazon Rainforest and Andes Mountains to learn about medicinal plants and tropical biology. A pre-health Honors student, Amee is a double major in Environmental Science and Biology with a minor in Global Poverty, and is specifically interested in the global health field. She is involved in other health organizations on campus including MEDLIFE Medical Brigades and Health Leads. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, trying new food, and being outdoors.  Read about Amee's experience in Peru!

 

Kelly
Kelly is a Government & Politics major and Gemstone student who spent a semester studying/observing student protests in Valparaiso, Chile. She climbed a lot of rocks, a glacier, a volcano, and Machu Picchu while there and is now trying to stay half as outdoorsy.  Read about Kelly's experience in Chile!

 

 

Meghan
Meghan studied abroad in Barcelona during the Spring of 2013 and had an absolute blast! She is a double major in Operations and Supply Chain Management and also in the Honors Program. On campus she is very active in Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed national service fraternity and the Food Recovery Network, a group that collects food from the diners and donates it to shelters in DC. While in Spain she volunteered once a week at a K-12 school teaching Math and English. Read about Meghan's experience in Spain!

 

Mike
Mike studied for a semester in spring 2011 at The American University of Rome where he confirmed his longtime feelings of love for all things pizza and pasta. He is a history major with a minor in global terrorism studies. He has a citation in Public Leadership from the College Park Scholars Program where he now enjoys being a TA. Clubs he has been involved with on campus include the Help Center and Terps for Change. Viva Terrapins!  Read about Mike's experience in Italy!

 

Molly
Molly studied abroad for a semester in Ghana through UMD's Partner University Studies Abroad Consortium and stayed for the summer to intern at a NGO / school for children with autism. She also studied abroad in Uganda through SIT Study Abroad's Uganda: Development Studies, where she did independent research for six weeks. She also spent a winter term in Argentina taking a class on the Politics of Globalization. Molly is a political science major with minors in international development and conflict management and statistics and just added a minor in geographic information studies. Molly is also in the honors college.   Read about Molly's experiences abroad!

 

Maya
Maya studied abroad in Rangsit, Thailand during the Spring of 2011, where she took Thai boxing, language and cooking classes. She also volunteered as an English teacher to Thai children enrolled in English language summer camps. She is a Family Science major and hopes to attend podiatric medical school to become a Podiatric Surgeon. She is also actively involved in Delta Epsilon Mu, a pre-health professional fraternity on campus. She loves spicy food and will never stop talking about her study abroad experience! Read about Maya's tips and stories for Thailand!

 

 

 Ashley
Ashley participated in the short term study abroad program in the Caribbean focused around the economic implications of island geography. She is a double major in mathematics and economics, with a focus in actuarial science and statistics. She is involved with actuarial study groups, the republican committee, and a recreational volleyball team. In her spare time, she teaches ZUMBA, and loves to exercise!  Read about Ashley's experience in the Southern Carribean here!

 

TEAN Australia Ambassadors: 
TEAN Ambassadors advise students on options for studying abroad in Australia and New Zealand with The Education Abroad Network, one of UMD's partner organizations:
 
 
 
Alex
Alex studied abroad in Sydney, Australia during the Spring of 2012 through TEAN. She is an Animal Science major, currently applying to veterinary school. While abroad, Alex was able to travel all around Australia (Cairns (the Great Barrier Reef), the Whitsunday Islands, Melbourne, and the Outback) as well as to New Zealand and Thailand. Alex can't wait to return Down Under one day and hang out with the kangaroos or hold another koala!  Contact Alex for more information on her experience!
 
 
Drew
Drew studied abroad in a summer program in Australia through TEAN.  While there, he learned about renewable energy while doing activities such as skydiving, white water rafting, and scuba diving.  Drew is a electrical engineering major with a minor in International Engineering.  In addition, he is a member of the rugby club at Maryland and is trying to build a self-automated segway-like BallBot for a class.  Contact Drew for more information on his experience.
 
 
 
 
Liza
Liza studied abroad in Sydney, Australia during the Spring 2012 semester. She is a Government and Politics major who is always looking for an adventure and loves staying active. In Australia she joined the University of New South Wales sailing club, swam with manta rays in Fiji, went skydiving and bungy-jumping, but was more scared climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge. She also co-owns a United States Patent. She thinks everyone should have the opportunity to study abroad! Contact Liza for more information on her experience.
 
 
 
Doug
 Doug spent a semester abroad with the Maryland-in-Shanghai program, where he took classes such as Foreign Business Investment, Marketing Management, and Mandarin Chinese. As an International Business major and Chinese minor, he also enjoyed an internship with a local luxury shoe designer, working alongside a diverse team of British, Chinese, and French employees. Doug spent his semester traveling throughout China's wide array of unique cities and beyond, but he is determined to return some day to see them all.  Contact Doug for more information on his experience.