Ambassador Program

Education Abroad

Study Abroad Ambassador Program

The main goals of the Ambassador Program are to encourage students from all backgrounds and majors to study abroad, and to increase support for students exploring and preparing for programs abroad.

ETSU students - if you would like to be matched with an ambassador for peer mentoring, please complete this form

Have an anonymous question? Add it to the doc here and check back for an answer from an Ambassador! Note: It may take up to one week to receive a reply from an Ambassador.

Spring 2025 Ambassadors

Kimia Ataran

Major/Minor: Chemistry, Mathematics

Study Abroad Program(s): ETSU Faculty-Led summer program in Paris, France

Advice for students interested in studying abroad: Here's your chance to reach your study abroad program goals, so make a bucket list. Making friends who speak the language of the country you're going to visit would help you learn.

Fun fact: My name means chemistry in Arabic and I'm also majoring in chemistry.

Grace Beecher

Study Abroad Ambassador Leader - Mentoring & Research

Major/Minor: Psychology, Changemaking

Study Abroad Program(s): Semester at Sea; Kansai Gaidai semester exchange in Japan

Advice for students interested in studying abroad: My advice is to not let fear stop you from going on this wonderful journey and do not be discouraged from all the paperwork that you have to do!

Fun fact: I spend too much money on thrifting and love expressing myself through fashion!

Sarah Blevins

Major/Minor: Foreign Languages, Spanish for the Professions

Study Abroad Program(s): ETSU Faculty-Led summer program in Ecuador

Advice for students interested in studying abroad: It is better to be overprepared than underprepared! Don't be afraid to ask questions and be as informed as possible!

Fun fact: From elementary school to high school, I attended over 7 schools.

Kate Boundy

Study Abroad Ambassador Leader - Marketing

Major/Minor: Music, General Business

Study Abroad Program(s): TnCIS Faculty-Led summer program in Germany & Austria; Harlaxton College summer program in the UK; Portugal Internship

Advice for students interested in studying abroad: When it comes to doing program applications and scholarships, start as early as you can. This will give you plenty of time to polish your applications and ask for help if you run into difficulties.

Fun fact: I can speak proficient German and I've been to Europe four times!

Emma Brown

Major/Minor: Nursing, Spanish for Professions

Study Abroad Program(s): ETSU Faculty-Led program in Ecuador; KIIS winter break program in Mexico

Advice for students interested in studying abroad: It only takes 10 seconds of awkward to change your life. Don't be afraid to "embarrass yourself".

Fun fact: I met my roommate and best friends while on study abroad and have gone abroad with them twice now (with plans for more travels!)

Raina Desai

Major/Minor: Biology, Culture & Health, General Business

Study Abroad Program(s): ETSU Faculty-Led program in the UK

Advice for students interested in studying abroad: Plan activities that you're interested in when abroad, but don't be afraid to explore without a plan! Sometimes the best experiences happen spontaneously.

Fun fact: I love tea and bring home local teas whenever I travel!

Zoe Feltis

Major/Minor: Chemistry, Sociology, Forensic Science, Culture & Health, Physics

Study Abroad Program(s): ETSU Faculty-Led summer programs in the UK & Harlaxton College; medical brigade to Panama.

Advice for students interested in studying abroad: Don’t let your anxiety stop you from experiencing something life changing. I had to go way outside my comfort zone multiple times studying abroad, and yes it was stressful and challenging, but it forced me into amazing experiences I never would have gotten into by myself. Just because something will be hard doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it.

Fun fact: I dye my hair a new color bimonthly.

Grant Himel

Major/Minor: Marketing, Japanese

Study Abroad Program(s): Kansai Gaidai semester exchange in Japan; ETSU Faculty-Led program in Ecuador

Advice for students interested in studying abroad: Latch onto every opportunity that comes your way so long as it won't kill you, as they typically will never come again.

Fun fact: I speak English, Spanish, German, Japanese, and French to at least a conversational level, and I am learning Mandarin, Italian, and Vietnamese as well.

Jared Huff

Major/Minor: Management, Japanese, Global Citizen Scholars, Legal Studies

Study Abroad Program(s): ETSU Faculty-Led program in France; Short-Term program at Harlaxton College; Portugal Internship

Advice for students interested in studying abroad: Enjoy the mundane and normal things in life.

Fun fact: I have visited over 35 countries!

Kyla Jernigan

Major/Minor: Theatre, Radio, Television, Film

Study Abroad Program(s): TnCIS Faculty-Led program in Greece and the UK

Advice for students interested in studying abroad: Ask and you might receive. As long as you are respectful and understanding, most people are here to help you. The worst they can say is no.

Fun fact: I once watched 365 movies in one year!

Jaedyn Joyner

Major/Minor: Marketing

Study Abroad Program(s): Ewha Women's University semester exchange in South Korea

Advice for students interested in studying abroad: Step out of your comfort zone, engage with locals, try new things, and immerse yourself in the culture. When challenges arise, see them as opportunities to learn and develop resilience.

Fun fact: I lived in South Korea for a year!

Mary Lundin

Major/Minor: Management, Global Citizen Scholars, Music

Study Abroad Program(s): ETSU Faculty-Led summer program in the UK & Ireland; ETSU Faculty-Led spring break and winter break program in France; Semester exchange at the American College of Greece.

Advice for students interested in studying abroad: Enjoy being abroad! Take advantage of opportunities to travel and meet new people!

Fun fact: I have been to 8 countries during my undergrad.

Peyton Minnick

Major/Minor: Computing, History

Study Abroad Program(s): TnCIS Faculty-Led summer program in Spain; KIIS summer program in Austria.

Advice for students interested in studying abroad: Don't ever feel afraid about taking the opportunity to study abroad. You may feel nervous, but this is probably your best time in your life to travel. Just go for it, and you won't regret it.

Fun fact: I graduated from Northeast State with five associate degrees.

Jonathan Roberts

Major/Minor: Kinesiology

Study Abroad Program(s): University of Limerick semester exchange in Ireland

Advice for students interested in studying abroad: Smile easily, be bold, and live the adventures fully.

Fun fact: I installed McDonalds drive through screens in Chicago for a weekend.

Finnigan Shirley

Major/Minor: Philosophy, Political Science, Changemaking, Legal Studies

Study Abroad Program(s): ETSU Faculty-Led summer programs in the UK & Italy; ETSU Faculty-Led spring break program in Ecuador; ETSU Faculty-Led winter break program in France

Advice for students interested in studying abroad: Seek discomfort.

Fun fact: I've studied abroad every year in college.

Olivia Rogers

Major/Minor: Health Sciences, Human Development and Learning

Study Abroad Program(s): ETSU Faculty-Led summer program in the UK

Advice for students interested in studying abroad: Don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. Studying abroad allows for amazing, unexpected opportunities if you are willing to take them.

Fun fact: One of my favorite travel memories is seeing the musical Hamilton in London!

Dylan Singleton

Major/Minor: M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction

Study Abroad Program(s): TnCIS Faculty-Led summer program in Berlin, Amsterdam, & Paris

Advice for students interested in studying abroad: If I had any advice for a student interested in studying abroad, I would say to try all the things, meet all the people, and step out of your comfort zone. Taking that leap could make for one of the best experiences of your life!

Fun fact: I absolutely love amusement parks and almost every time I travel, I try to go to one! It's a personality trait at this point.

Camden Smolter

Major/Minor: Marketing, Accountancy

Study Abroad Program(s): Keimyung University semester exchange in South Korea

Advice for students interested in studying abroad: Take every opportunity to explore, make new friends, or do something outside of your comfort zone. You will look back on those moments and experiences when you pushed yourself and be proud of the impact it had on your life.

Fun fact: I love watching movies, especially movies in other languages (with subtitles of course). I've recently watched movies in Swahili, Spanish, Korean, Mandarin, and Cantonese!

Hailey Story

Major/Minor: Political Science, General Business, International Affairs, Global Citizen Scholars

Study Abroad Program(s): ETSU Faculty-Led program in the UK and France; American College of Greece semester exchange

Advice for students interested in studying abroad: Remember to live in the moment, you worked hard to be here. Stop and look around; It goes by too fast.

Fun fact: I volunteered at the 75th NATO summit.

Alyssa Taylor

Major/Minor: Nursing, Spanish for Professions

Study Abroad Program(s): ETSU Faculty-Led summer program in Ecuador

Advice for students interested in studying abroad: Studying abroad IS possible, even when it seems impossible! The perfect trip is waiting for you; all you have to do is find it and start planning.

Fun fact: I love Jesus, cats, and coffee! I hope to be a travel nurse and help people with language barriers.

Syd Walter

Major/Minor: Bio-chemistry, Art, Spanish

Study Abroad Program(s): Universidad San Francisco de Quito semester exchange in Ecuador

Advice for students interested in studying abroad: The advice that I would give to someone interested in studying abroad is look outside your comfort zone because that is the best place to grow and explore. The anxiety of it all may seem overwhelming and impossible to get through, but that only lasts a short time, and the memories and relationships you make will last a lifetime.

Fun fact: I love crocheting, I am obsessed with plants, and I have a tattoo of a bee and bess beetles.

Application

Applications are currently closed. Applications for the Fall 2025 semester will open in May 2025.

Eligibility
- Must be a current ETSU student in any major and year who will be enrolled during the Spring 2025 semester
- Graduate students are welcome to apply
- Must have studied abroad at the college level through an ETSU-approved program
- At this time, the program is only open to students who are or will be located in or near Johnson City in Spring 2025
- 20 students will be accepted into the program, including up to 4 leadership positions
- Leadership positions are only open to students who have previously served as a Study Abroad Ambassador
Roles & Commitment
- Study Abroad Blue Ambassador
  - 1 semester commitment
  - 10 hours per semester, including monthly group meetings and trainings
  - $250 scholarship, $125 disbursed at beginning of the semester and $125 disbursed at end of the semester
- Study Abroad Gold Ambassador
  - 1 semester commitment
  - 20 hours per semester, including monthly group meetings and trainings
  - $500 scholarship, $250 disbursed at beginning of semester and $250 disbursed at end of the semester
Leadership Positions
- Leadership positions are only open to students who have previously served as a Study Abroad Ambassador.
- Commitment
  - 1 semester commitment
  - 30 hours per semester, including monthly group meetings and trainings
  - Each leadership position will serve as a contact point between other ambassadors and the Education Abroad Office. Leaders will help organize efforts in their designated area, lead meetings related to their designated area, and work with other leaders on coordinated projects
  - $750 scholarship, $375 disbursed at beginning of the semester and $375 disbursed at end of the semester
- Event Leader(s)
  - Study Abroad Fair (Fall only)
  - International Education Week (Fall only)
  - Study Abroad Day (Spring only)
  - Interest sessions
  - Tabling
  - Other events
- Marketing Leader(s)
  - Social media
  - Flyers
  - Digital signs
  - Website
  - Other advertising efforts
- Research Leader(s)
  - Advising & identity guides
  - Credit approval form compilation
  - Other research projects
- Mentoring Leader(s)
  - Matching mentees with study abroad ambassadors
  - Overseeing and organizing small group mentoring sessions
  - Other tasks related to mentoring
What you'll receive
- A scholarship of $250, $500, or $750 depending on your role, with half disbursed at beginning of the semester and half disbursed at end of the semester
- Leadership, student service, and professional development opportunities
- A supportive team and community
- The ability to work on student-led projects
- A space to share your study abroad experiences with others
Example Activities
- Tabling
- Briefly presenting at info sessions & predeparture meetings
- Helping with Study Abroad Fair & other events
- Meeting with students 1-1 or in small groups to answer questions and share advice
- Social media
- Designing marketing materials
- Research & resource creation
- Propose your own projects or activities

Former Study Abroad Ambassadors

Fall 2023 Study Abroad Ambassadors
- Rebekah Allen
- Grace Almann-Camacho
- Kimia Ataran
- Alexa Barker
- Kate Boundy
- Lindsay Burns
- Kennedy Hunt
- Kacey Lefevers
- Finnigan Shirley
- Dylan Singleton
- Alyssa Taylor
- Sydney Wilder
- Natalie Wilson
Spring 2024 Study Abroad Ambassadors
- Rebekah Allen
- Grace Almann-Camacho
- Kimia Ataran
- Grace Beecher
- Sarah Blevins
- Kate Boundy - Marketing Leader
- Haley Carter
- Nick Derusha
- Blakeley Griffin
- Kelsey Guy
- Kennedy Hunt - Ambassador Leader
- Olivia Rogers
- Finn Shirley
- Dylan Singleton
- Camden Smolter
- Alyssa Taylor
- Syd Walter
- Sydney Wilder - Events Leader
- Natalie Paige Wilson - Mentoring & Research Leader
Fall 2024 Ambassadors
- Kimia Ataran
- Grace Beecher - Mentoring & Research Leader
- Sarah Blevins
- Kate Boundy - Marketing Leader
- Dani Bradley
- Mary Brown
- Haley Carter
- Raina Desai
- Kelsey Guy
- Grant Himel
- Kyla Jernigan
- Jaedyn Joyner
- Jonathan Roberts
- Olivia Rogers
- Dylan Singleton
- Camden Smolter
- Hailey Story
- Alyssa Taylor
- Syd Walter
- Sydney Wilder - Events Leader
Spring 2025 Ambassadors
- Kimia Ataran
- Grace Beecher - Mentoring & Research Leader
- Sarah Blevins
- Kate Boundy - Marketing Leader
- Emma Brown
- Raina Desai
- Zoe Feltis
- Grant Himel
- Jared Huff
- Kyla Jernigan
- Jaedyn Joyner
- Mary Lundin
- Peyton Minnick
- Jonathan Roberts
- Olivia Rogers
- Finn Shirley
- Dylan Singleton
- Camden Smolter
- Alyssa Taylor
- Sydney Walter