Peer Advisers are MSU students who have already studied abroad and work for the Office for Education Abroad. They are trained to provide peer-to-peer advising, conduct student outreach, and assist with recruitment.Our current team of Peer Advisers are more than happy to tell you about their experiences, answer your questions, and give you advice.
They can help you find a program that suits your schedule, major and interests. They can guide you through the application process, answer questions about scholarships and financial aid, and offer a student perspective on the various aspects of being abroad and returning home.
Peer Advisers are available for in-person and remote advising during the fall and spring semesters. Visit the Education Abroad Advising Center webpage for current hours of operation.
Eli Broad College of Business > Management major > International Business minor
Program:
Hi! My name is Faith, and I am a senior studying Business Management with a minor in International Business! I've wanted to study abroad for as long as I can remember and had an amazing time on my education abroad program to Swansea University in Wales! I was able to have experiences and memories that will last a lifetime and make friends from around the world.
Studying abroad gave me the opportunity to understand a new culture and take me out of my comfort zone which gave me a new level of self-confidence! I also greatly enjoyed being able to travel and explore new places within the United Kingdom and throughout Europe!
Lyman Briggs College > Neuroscience major
Program:
Hi! My name is Jorge Isunza, and I am studying Neuroscience with a concentration in cognitive and computational Neuroscience. I was born in Mexico and moved when I was young, so I do still miss the tacos and the beaches! I really enjoy photography, theatre, and soccer.
I spent the Spring 22' semester abroad in Lund, Sweden. While I was there, I was active in school and student life, I met many different people from many different cultures, and had the opportunity to travel to 10 different countries! I also lived with a host family, which allowed me to be thrust into the Swedish way and learn their culture. One of my favorite parts of this program was the number of Swedish traditions and holidays that I was able to participate in.
Studying abroad allowed me to grow and learn more about myself socially and academically. It allowed me to immerse myself in the various cultures I experienced through my travels and through the other exchange students from different areas in the world. It is a very fulfilling experience, and I totally recommend!
Eli Broad College of Business > Management major
College of Arts & Letters > Spanish minor
Program:
Hi! My name is Hannah Kilbride, and I am a sophomore studying business and minoring in Spanish. A little about me is that I love hanging out with friends, listening to music, and spending time in nature like hiking and biking, and of course traveling and getting to see different parts of the world.
For my study abroad program, I went to Rome for 5 weeks during the summer to study at the American University of Rome. This was an amazing opportunity as it allowed me to have an in-depth experience of Italian culture and travel to several different cities within Italy. It was also great to meet and have classes with other MSU students. After my experience with study abroad, I couldn’t recommend it enough and hope that I am able to be a part of another program in the future.
College of Social Science > Human Resources major
College of Arts & Letters > Korean Studies minor
Program:
Through my study abroad program, I was able to learn vast amounts about myself and the country of South Korea. Due to COVID, this was my first experience living independently. I am glad that I could learn more about my passions, hobbies, and responsibilities through experiences I had abroad. I navigated the city and could immerse myself into the culture first-hand. I learned what work-life balance was when it came to my studies, cultural endeavors, and having fun. I would love to go on another study abroad through MSU and am working towards making that possible.
Not only was I able to expand my leadership skills and communication abilities, but I also built a strong network. The people I met abroad were very diverse and had a similar want to learn from other people. I made some of my closest friends and still travel around the world to visit them. I also showcased leadership skills by planning events, reaching out to new people, and taking on volunteer roles.
I am a Korean American and have a passion for learning more about my culture along with new ones. A big reason I studied abroad was to learn my native tongue and continue to make friends around the world while seeing things from a new perspective.
Photo of MSU students in Freiburg - Nolan is wearing the MSU shirt on the far left.
James Madison College > International Relations major
College of Arts & Letters > German major
Program:
My name is Nolan Rachocki. I am a junior majoring in International Relations & German and looking to go into the political/diplomatic field. On campus, I am a member of Kappa Alpha Pi, a professional pre-law fraternity, and when I have free time, I enjoy traveling or just sitting down for a nice cup of coffee.
I have spent two years abroad both in Germany, with the CBYX/PPP Scholarship program in high school and the Academic Year in Freiburg program my sophomore year at MSU. I have learned so much during my time overseas, not just about other cultures but also about my own. Studying abroad is a great experience every student should try, especially those learning a foreign language. Living in the country itself, you can experience and learn things that could never be taught in a classroom. In addition, a former High School German teacher once told me, "Once an exchange student, forever an exchange student" and I couldn’t agree more.
This is actually my first year on campus and I would love to help others who are considering studying abroad and hear what the best coffee spots in East Lansing are!
College of Arts & Letters > Spanish major
Program:
I grew up in Harbor Springs, Michigan. I’ve always loved learning languages, so I decided to go and study one full time abroad. I had previously traveled to Spain once with my school, but this was my first-ever solo experience. My experience in Granada was one of a kind. I am a LGBT+ student and neurodivergent.
James Madison College > Social Relations and Policy major
James Madison College > Comparative Cultures and Politics major
College of Arts & Letters > Spanish minor
Programs:
I am a senior at MSU studying Social Relations and Policy and Comparative Cultures and Politics in James Madison College with a minor in Spanish. I studied abroad in Ireland the summer before my first year at MSU and it was an amazing experience. I met some of my closest friends while studying abroad and am now living with one of the friends I made during that program. I am from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and hadn't had the opportunity to spend much time on campus before attending MSU, but this experience helped me feel more comfortable my first day on campus because I already had a group of friends I could turn to. I also discovered my passion for comparative studies while in Ireland which pointed me to one of my majors. I enjoyed my first study abroad experience so much I'm hoping to go again this summer!
(Carly is currently abroad – finishing up a summer program in Spain and beginning a research program in Belgium during fall semester. She is expected to return to the team for Spring 2023.)
Apply to be a Peer Adviser for the 2023-24 school year!
Applications will open in April 2023. Interested students will apply via Handshake (job #TBA).
Interviews are expected to take place before the end of spring semester.
Visit Peer Adviser Position for more details about the job duties and expectations.
If you have any questions about the Peer Adviser position, email us at .
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