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 . Note: peer mentoring is available but may be limited during academic breaks.
Apply to be an Ambassador!
Fall 2025 Ambassadors
Rachel Aiken
Major/Minor: Psychology, Changemaking
Study Abroad Program(s): ETSU Faculty-Led Harlaxton winter break program in the UK
Advice for students interested in studying abroad: Embrace every opportunity with an open mind and heart!
Fun fact: I did a TEDX talk!
Caleb Anderson
Major/Minor: Business Administration Masters
Study Abroad Program(s): ETSU Faculty-Led spring break program in Japan
Advice for students interested in studying abroad: If the idea of it scares you, DO IT! The best decision I have ever made were the ones that pushed me out of my comfort zone!
Fun fact: I once starred in a commercial for Ford Motor Company!
Sierra Arguello
Major/Minor: English, Creative Writing, Journalism
Study Abroad Program(s): ETSU Faculty-Led spring break program in Brazil
Advice for students interested in studying abroad: Go to that information session and get connected with the financial aid office! If your worry is finances, there are so many oopportunities that can lessen your expenses!
Fun fact: I read over 50 books this past summer!
Sarah Arnold
Major/Minor: Health Sciences, Culture & Health
Study Abroad Program(s): ETSU Faculty-Led summer program in Italy and Harlaxton winter break program in the UK
Advice for students interested in studying abroad: Ask locals for advice on things to do. These usually end up being the coolest places to visit!
Fun fact: I can fly a helicopter!
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.
Emma Brown
Study Abroad Ambassador Leader - Marketing
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!
Indira Escudero
Major/Minor: Anthropology, Forensic Science
Study Abroad Program(s): ETSU Faculty-Led spring program in Italy
Advice for students interested in studying abroad: Grab your passport and just go for it!
Fun fact: I have been traveling since I was 3 months old.
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
Study Abroad Ambassador Leader - Mentoring & Research
Major/Minor: Marketing, Japanese
Study Abroad Program(s): Kansai Gaidai semester exchange in Japan; ETSU Faculty-Led program in Ecuador; Absolute Internship program in Singapore
Advice for students interested in studying abroad: Create an interesting life for yourself and take opportunities, risks, whatever life throws at you.
Fun fact: I play 3 instruments and speak 5 languages.
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!
Alexis Jaquez
Major/Minor: Media & Communication, Japanese, Global Citizen Scholars
Study Abroad Program(s): ETSU Faculty-Led summer programs in France and Japan
Advice for students interested in studying abroad: Make friends wherever you go! You never know what adventures they'll lead you to.
Fun fact: I've competed in a film festival!
Sarah Joseph
Major/Minor: Biomedical Health Sciences, Culture & Health
Study Abroad Program(s): ETSU Faculty-Led summer program in Italy
Advice for students interested in studying abroad: You'll never regret the chance to experience something new.
Fun fact: I sing in a jazz choir!
Armita Kordamiri
Major/Minor: Biomedical Health Sciences, Culture & Health
Study Abroad Program(s): ETSU Faculty-Led summer program in France, winter break in Guatemala, and spring break in Morocco
Advice for students interested in studying abroad: Don't let your fear of failing turn into regret of never trying.
Fun fact: I am a dance choreographer!
Olivia Grace Lamb
Major/Minor: Media & Communication, English
Study Abroad Program(s): WorldStrides summer program in Peru
Advice for students interested in studying abroad: It will never be cheaper for you to travel than it is in college, SO GO FOR IT!!
Fun fact: I'm an old lady at heart, with a love for crocheting and reading!
Madison Lankford
Major/Minor: Management
Study Abroad Program(s): American College of Greece semester exchange program
Advice for students interested in studying abroad: The best memories happen outside your comfort zone!
Fun fact: I was on a billboard and commercial as a kid!
River McLaws
Major/Minor: Rehabilitative Health Sciences, Spanish for the Professions, Psychology
Study Abroad Program(s): TnCIS Faculty-Led summer program in Spain
Advice for students interested in studying abroad: Just go for it! And keep an open mind.
Fun fact: I have been playing the cello since I was 13.
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.
Casey Nelms
Major/Minor: Teacher Education MAT (Secondary Education), ESL PreK-12
Study Abroad Program(s): ETSU Faculty-Led summer program in the UK
Advice for students interested in studying abroad: The best feeling in the world is crossing an item off of your bucket list.
Fun fact: I have eight different language keyboards installed on my phone.
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!
Eleanor Weedman
Major/Minor: English, Communication Studies, Global Citizen Scholars
Study Abroad Program(s): ETSU Faculty-Led winter break programs in the UK & France, summer programs in Ecuador & France; University of Limerick semester exchange in Ireland
Advice for students interested in studying abroad: Lean into your curiosity! It's how the best stories happen.
Fun fact: I collect vinyl!
Application
Apply to be an Ambassador here!
Eligibility
- Must be a current ETSU student in any major and year who will be enrolled during the Fall 2025 semester
- Graduate and pre-professional 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 Fall 2025
- A maximum of 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, half disbursed at the beginning of the semester and half disbursed at the end of the semester
- Study Abroad Gold Ambassador
- 1 semester commitment
- 20 hours per semester, including monthly group meetings and trainings
- $500 scholarship, half disbursed at the beginning of the semester and half disbursed at the 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 organized efforts in their designated area, lead meetings related to their designated area, and work with other leaders on coordinated projects
- $750 scholarship, half disbursed at the beginning of the semester, half disbursed at the end of the semester
What You'll Receive
- A scholarship of $250, $500, or $750, depending on your role, with half disbursed at the beginning of the semester and half disbursed at the 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
-
Fall 2025 Ambassadors
- Rachel Aiken
- Caleb Anderson
- Sierra Arguello
- Sarah Arnold
- Kimia Ataran
- Emma Brown - Marketing Leader
- Raina Desai
- Indira Escudero
- Zoe Feltis
- Grant Himel - Mentoring & Research Leader
- Jared Huff
- Alexis Jaquez
- Sarah Joseph
- Armita Kordamiri
- Olivia Grace Lamb
- Madison Lankford
- River McLaws
- Peyton Minnick
- Casey Nelms
- Camden Smolter
- Eleanor Weedman