CEA CAPA Education Abroad Study Abroad Day on March 3, 2025 with an Alumni Panel featuring five former students. The panel covered a wide variety of topics related to the study abroad experience, including programs and academics, internships, excursions, travel tips, budgeting, health & safety, identity, and overcoming challenges. Each CEA CAPA Alum studied in a different country and shared their unique experiences before, during, and after their time abroad. For those of you who weren’t able to join live, or for those who would like to revisit the conversation, you can find the recording here.

• Sofi Johnson | Sydney, Australia | Fall 2024 | Business Marketing and Management | Samford University 

• Natasha Machera | Florence, Italy | Spring 2024 | Chemistry | Skidmore College 

• Josh Gottschalk | Paris, France | Fall 2023 | Biomedical Engineering | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

• Isabella Reda | Dublin, Ireland | Summer 2024 | Psychology | Michigan State University

• Michael Pugliese | Buenos Aires, Argentina | Spring 2024 | Marketing and Psychology | University of Massachusetts Amherst

   

Panel Discussion Topics, For Quick Reference: 

0:00 Welcome

1:15 Meet the Panelists

3:15 Academics
10:10 Internship Overview & Highlights

26:00 Support from CEA CAPA (Pre-departure, Excursions, Medical)

31:10 Best Piece of Advice from CEA CAPA Alumni

35:35 Overcoming Challenges

40:35 How did aspects of your identity impact your experience?

49:00 Why was your program the right fit for you?

53:20 What would you say to someone who is on the fence about studying abroad?