Almost exactly four months ago I was about to come back home to the States and I was NOT excited about it. Just like most people, I loved my study abroad, and I had been gone for almost a full year, I could barely remember what life back home was supposed to be like. I had made wonderful new friends and had a lot of new adventures, I didn’t want to go back to where none of these things were. This is why I decided to be an Alumni Ambassador with CEA. I started researching like crazy for ways to stay connected to study abroad while I was back, and this seemed like the best way. So 5,000 miles away and 8 hours ahead, I had an interview with CEA about becoming an Ambassador, and happily I got the position!
When I came back to the states, reverse culture shock hit very hard, the first week of jet lag didn’t help much either. However, being an Ambassador helped me quite a bit with my re-integration. My school’s study abroad office requires us to be Ambassadors for them as well if we are working with outside providers. Because of this I was able to connect with other students who knew exactly what I was experiencing, both through CEA and SPU. Another thing that helped me was my excitement about studying abroad. Almost everyone comes back so excited about their study abroad and wanting to share it with everyone! Coming back as an Ambassador allowed me an outlet to use that excitement to help other students.
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| My Friends and I near the CEA center in Rome, Italy |
I get to talk to students all the time about why I think studying abroad is so important, and figure out if it can work for them. I often get asked if it is a problem that I am an Ambassador for CEA and my school, and I personally love it this way! If CEA doesn’t have something for someone, I am able to find another program at my school that better fits their needs. It also allows me to have a better knowledge of credits, tuition, and application processes. It allows me have a lot more knowledge, and to be a lot more help to people.
My favorite part about being an ambassador is being able to help other students find a trip that is right for them. Every time someone decides to go somewhere, you can see their excitement, excitement is one of those things that spreads, it’s infectious. And studying abroad is exciting! Being an ambassador has allowed me share my excitement with other students in a way that helps them, and that is why I love being an Ambassador.
Apply to become an Alumni Ambassador today!
Celene H. is a CEA Alumni Ambassador. She is a student at Seattle Pacific University, where she is studying Global development and Political Science. She studied abroad with CEA in Rome, Italy, Prague, Czech Republic & Paris, France in the Spring of 2016.