Meet the CSU IP Global Ambassadors
Learn more about Their Study Abroad Experience
CSU IP Student Ambassadors are recently returned from studying abroad through CSU International Programs. Connect with them to hear about their experiences, ask questions, and get real insights into studying and living in another country.
CHAT WITH A GLOBAL AMBASSADOR
VIRTUAL DROP-IN HOURS| WEEKDAY | TIME | ZOOM ROOM LINK |
| Fridays | 10:00am – 12:00pm 12:00pm - 2:00pm 2:00pm – 4:00pm |
Virtual Hours Zoom Link |
Christopher Daniels
Spain: Universidad de Granada, Fall Semester 2024
San Jose State | Kinesiology, Spanish
Email: christopher.daniels@sjsu.edu
Instagram: @wait.chris.b
What was your Favorite Study Abroad Memory? One of my favorite memories from studying abroad was spending a weekend in Sevilla with friends I met during my time in Spain. That experience taught me that I am far more independent and capable than I had ever imagined. From booking my own accommodations to organizing transportation, I became a confident and fully equipped solo traveler. During our weekend in Sevilla, my friends and I explored historical landmarks such as the Casa de Pilatos, La Plaza de España, La Real Alcázar de Sevilla, and the Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla, while also immersing ourselves in Sevilla’s vibrant nightlife. What made the experience especially meaningful was the sense of freedom and connection we shared as we wandered through the city, embracing each moment without rigid plans. We ended the weekend attending a Flamenco concert, feeling proud of ourselves for going with the flow and opening our hearts to the beauty of Spanish culture and the joy life has to offer.
Daniela Martin
Spain: Universidad de Granada, Spring Semester 2025
CSU Chico | Psychology
Email: dmartin2@csuchico.edu
Instagram: @daanielaa.m1
What was your Favorite Study Abroad Memory? My favorite memory abroad was when I would get to travel on the weekends and later throughout the week, in my classes we would all talk about our adventures we had. Seeing the diverse backgrounds but all the similarities when abroad made me feel happy that we were all enjoying this moment we had abroad. I also enjoyed getting to study at cafes outside of class but with people I met in class. It helped me branch out and get to know others who were from different backgrounds as me.
Denise Jimenez Fernandez
Spain: Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Fall Semester 2024
CSU Northridge | Criminology, Economics
Email: denise.jimenez-fernandez.779@my.csun.edu
What was your Favorite Study Abroad Memory? My favorite study abroad memory is the first day arriving there because knowing that I actually was there and completed the process and putting a time aside to finance my expenses were over and walked around Madrid was unbelievable for the reason that it was always a dream to be far from my hometown. The beginning was my favorite because everyone is getting to know each other and results of being your best friends even when you come back home.
Estella Roseveare
Spain: Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Fall Semester 2024
CSU Northridge | Criminology, Economics
Email: rosev001@csusm.edu
Instagram: @estella.roseveare
What was your Favorite Study Abroad Memory? One of my favorite study abroad memories was not one significant event, but still made a large impact. On the very first day in my new apartment, I decided to try this cafe on the street where I was staying. They also served lunch, but when I tried to ask for a fork in Italian, my pronunciation was so terrible the employee told the rest of the workers and we all had a good laugh. I started to become a regular at that cafe, getting to know all of their names, their children's names, and even their help on my Italian assignments. One of my favorite memories is when I had to unfortunately say goodbye to my new friends, and the owner of the cafe told me in Italian to "take my fork with me" in the same terrible accent I tried from my very first day 5 months before.
Giselle Vega
Spain: Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Academic Year 2024-2025
CSU Long Beach | Global Studies, Political Science, Spanish
Email: giselle.vega01@student.csulb.edu
What was your Favorite Study Abroad Memory? My favorite study abroad memory was my speech that I gave at the Reunidas graduation, where I was so nervous and I tripped up on my words and said "Dios" and everyone chuckled a little. This is one of my favorite memories not only because it allowed me to express my gratitude for the program but it also shows the community that CSUIP Madrid creates and has.
Isabel Kimble
Spain: Universidad de Granada, Academic Year 2024-2025
CSU Long Beach | Linguistics (TESOL), Spanish
Email: isabel.kimble01@student.csulb.edu
What was your Favorite Study Abroad Memory? My favorite study abroad memory was being able to travel to Romania to visit a friend whom I had met during the Fall semester. I was introduced to a completely new country and culture which I knew nearly nothing about and was able to experience it with a completely open mind. My friend showed me around her town, explained the local history, and helped me try completely new foods. Even though I studied abroad in Spain, my experience allowed me to connect with other students across the world, which I find to be extremely meaningful and exciting.
Jay Kuklin
South Korea: Yonsei University, Academic Year 2024-2025
CSU Northridge | Journalism
Email: jay.kuklin.796@my.csun.edu
Instagram: @_jxycee_
What was your Favorite Study Abroad Memory? My favorite study abroad memory was visiting the National Museum of Korea for an assignment in my Arts of Asia course during Spring 2025. What began as a class requirement turned into an unexpectedly meaningful experience when I found myself completely absorbed in the Asian arts section. I spent far longer than planned carefully observing the works, taking photographs, and reflecting on how history, culture, and art intersect. In that moment, learning felt deeply personal and immersive rather than academic. Getting “lost” in the museum reminded me why studying abroad is so powerful—it allows education to extend beyond the classroom and become a lived experience.
Jeremy Torres
Australia: Western Sydney University, Academic Year 2024-2025CSU Northridge | Ecology, Evolutionary biology
Email: jeremy.torres.623@my.csun.edu
What was your Favorite Study Abroad Memory? My favorite study abroad memory was meeting my roommates and friends, its a bond that I made where we basically became brothers. We looked out for one another, covered eachother when we didn't have the money, we cooked with one another, went everywhere together, even helped eachother with classes. Its something that seems so minimal but is so impactful in your life where you'll truly never forget the time you spent with them and i still keep in contact with every single one of them.
Jimin Broussard
Ghana: University of Ghana, Spring Semester 2025
Cal Poly Pomona | Music Composition
Email: jbroussard@cpp.edu
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jimin-broussard
Instagram: @jiminbroussard
TikTok: @jm.347
What was your Favorite Study Abroad Memory? I had so many favorite memories while in Ghana! Learning how to play Agbadza on Ewe drums was amazing, and attending productions at the National Theatre and School of Performing Arts at the University of Ghana were absolutely beautiful. One of my favorite memories was when I was at the Night Market waiting inside a small shop after ordering milk tea. There were a pair of friends playing music from a phone and dancing, then they asked me if I knew how to dance, and soon enough, the three of us were dancing in the shop! My absolute favorite memory of mine was when I went to a secret LGBTQ event and witnessed the release of a musical album. It had been premiere night, and it was full of poetry, laughter, tears, and most of all, resilience. All the music had been recorded over the past year, and the group received lots of help and mentorship from activists outside of Ghana. It was significant because LGBTQ people face extreme hardship in Ghana, and being part of that event was as though I had traveled back in time to a significant moment, surrounded by the true leaders, revolutionaries, and changemakers of tomorrow.
Kimberly Cobian
Spain: Universidad de Granada, Academic Year 2024-2025
CSU Chico | Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies
Email: kimberlycobian0@gmail.com
Instagram: @kimberly.cobian
What was your Favorite Study Abroad Memory? My favorite study abroad memory was when I got stranded in the Sahara Desert and lost my phone all in one day! I went on a solo trip through “Best Life Experience” to Morocco. We went to the desert on a jeep tour, and after all of the other jeeps had left back to the campsite, my group’s jeep did not turn on. The friends I made on the first day realized I was missing, and they sent another jeep to get us. At sunset, I was rolling down the dunes and did not notice my phone slipped out of my pocket.
Lily Garcia
United Kingdom: University of Birmingham, Academic Year 2024-2025
Sonoma State | Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies
Email: garcialily@sonoma.edu
Instagram: @honestly_lily27
What was your Favorite Study Abroad Memory? One of my favorite memories while being abroad would have to be when my flatmates and I threw a Thanksgiving dinner at our flat. I lived with 11 people when I lived abroad, and we all came from different parts of the world. My flat came together, and each person had a responsibility for being a dish that represented their culture and home country, so that we could all share a part of our lives with each other. It was very chaotic in our kitchen that day, and it was very hard to find time in all of our schedules, but once we had the dinner in front of us and the house decorated, it was the perfect memory. It still, to this day, is one of my favorite memories and meals I had during my time in the UK.
Marisa Divizich
Italy: CSU Florence Center (Liberal Studies), Academic Year 2024-2025
San Francisco State | International Relations and Communications
Email: msdivizich@gmail.com
What was your Favorite Study Abroad Memory? My favorite study abroad memory was the last Italian class before finals week in my fall semester. The teachers brought all of their classes together to practice studying, and when we were finished, they had a surprise. They played classic Italian songs and passed around panettone, which is a delicious traditional Italian Christmas dessert. We sang along to the songs, and we shared the panettone. It was one of the last times we were all gathered together, and it was a wonderful experience.
Maya Pincus
Italy: CSU Florence Center (Liberal Studies), Academic Year 2024-2025
San Francisco State | International Relations, Communications
Email: maya.pincus.210@my.csun.edu
Instagram: @maya.pincus
What was your Favorite Study Abroad Memory? My favorite study abroad memory was the last Italian class before finals week in my fall semester. The teachers brought all of their classes together to practice studying, and when we were finished, they had a surprise. They played classic Italian songs and passed around panettone, which is a delicious traditional Italian Christmas dessert. We sang along to the songs, and we shared the panettone. It was one of the last times we were all gathered together, and it was a wonderful experience.
Miranda Griffith
Italy: CSU Florence Center (Liberal Studies), Spring Semester 2025
CSU Channel Islands | Studio Art
Email: hamgriffith2005@gmail.com
What was your Favorite Study Abroad Memory? I believe I have skills that would aid in my performance as a CSUIP global Ambassador. My experience studying abroad has taught me how to live, work, and collaborate with people from different backgrounds and perspectives, making me excellent at conflict management. It has also taught me adaptability and how to be a quick thinker. I also have other volunteer experience such as working with the Angels of Beauty while studying abroad in Florence, and at tabling events for the CSUCI Study Abroad office as I mentioned before. Both of these helped me learn to collaborate with others, as well explain and answer various questions related to study abroad.
Natalie Rivera
Taiwan: National Taiwan University, Academic Year 2024-2025
CSU Northridge | Business Administration, Real Estate
Email: natalie.rivera.298@my.csun.edu
Instagram: nctalie.r
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-rivera-741a77208
What was your Favorite Study Abroad Memory? I have too many favorites! Everyday was my favorite memory. If I had to choose one that feels especially nostalgic, it would be when I hosted an 11-person trip to Green Island before the fall semester students left. We traveled from Taipei to Hualien, then to Taitung, stayed overnight, and took a boat to the island. It was my first time organizing a big group, plus sharing a room with 11 people, riding scooters around the island, going to a stargazing bathhouse, and enjoying a huge dinner together (I tried shark there). It truly felt like I belonged, and those friendships still mean so much to me today.
Olga Crook
Italy: CSU Florence Center (Liberal Studies), Academic Year 2024-2025
CSU Northridge | Cinema and Television Arts: Film Production
Email: olga.crook.214@my.csun.edu
What was your Favorite Study Abroad Memory? During my spring break, my friend and I decided to explore the Baltic States and ultimately make our way to Norway and Denmark. During a boat ride from Tallinn, Estonia, to Helsinki, Finland, the sheer size of the boat and the ocean were unreal, reminding me of how rare the opportunities of studying abroad can be. When else will you find yourself on a boat transfer across the Baltic Sea on a random Wednesday in April? I remember just staring into the ocean, feeling the weight of being between three countries, watching the Finnish flag waving below, and truly thinking that this is an experience I will cherish for life and most likely never experience again.
Rhys Pierson
Italy: CSU Florence Center (Studio Art), Academic Year 2024-2025
CSU Fullerton | Studio Art, Art Education
Email: finn.r.pierson@gmail.com
Instagram: rhyscuro
What was your Favorite Study Abroad Memory? I have several memories including having two exhibitions while in Italy, publishing my art in an Italian magazine, falling in love, raising my dog, my internships with Palazzo Vecchio, teaching at the Italian high school, spending my days reading and drawing at cafes, traveling all of Italy to several cities and towns including Turin, Rome, Naples, and Venice. Vice president of the Italian Language Club. Attending the largest convention in Europe at Lucca Comics, attending several art lectures and exhibitions in the city, hiking up Mount Vesuvius, enjoying Pompeii.
Samantha Daisher
Sweden: Uppsala University, Fall Semester 2025
CSU Northridge | Communication Studies, TESL minor
Email: samantha.daisher.037@my.csun.edu
Instagram: Samisweets_
What was your Favorite Study Abroad Memory? Ah so hard to pick just one! But if I must, I loooooved the gausqes! They are formal events thrown by different Nations (kinda like a fraternity/sorority but coed) that you buy a ticket and you get dressed up to attend. It’s usually themed with a three course meal including: schnapps, wine, entertainment, and LOTS of singing. It was a great way to meet new people, learn more of the culture, and just be silly with all the folk songs. I attended an “under the sea” one, a jungle themed one, a spooky-dine one, a Halloween one, and a Lucia one which is a famous Swedish holiday. Two of them were 100% Swedish which one of them ended up being my absolute favorite!! I highly recommend if you’re ever in Sweden.
Simone Carroll
Spain: Universidad de Granada, Spring Semester 2025
CSU Northridge | Music Industry Studies
Email: simone.carroll.464@my.csun.edu
Instagram: @mohkalise
What was your Favorite Study Abroad Memory? My favorite study abroad memory was performing with the salsa band I joined abroad at Vibora. After the show, musicians from all over Granada joined us for a jam session that lasted until 4 a.m. That night, surrounded by people from different cultures, styles, and languages, I felt fully immersed in the world around me. Music became our shared language. It changed my understanding of collaboration and connection, showing me what’s possible when people come together with openness and curiosity. That experience reshaped how I view community, creativity, and my place in a global context.
Sydney Bertoni
Italy: CSU Florence Center (Liberal Studies), Fall Semester 2025
CSU San Luis Obispo | Child Development
Email: sbertoni@calpoly.edu
What was your Favorite Study Abroad Memory? It's hard to choose one memory out of a million once-in-a-lifetime stories. With CSUIP specifically, I loved the Talent Show. It was an opportunity for our peers to showcase their skills while the rest of the program came out to support. It's a night I will never forget.
Wandii Muinde
Spain: Universidad de Granada, Fall Semester 2025
San Jose State | International Business, Marketing
Email: wandii.wnm@gmail.com
Instagram: @wandii_nmui
What was your Favorite Study Abroad Memory? Choosing only one favorite study memory is impossible for me, but one of the many memorable experiences I will choose is when my Spanish friend from Madrid, Raquel, invited other CSU IP friends and me to her home for the weekend. We ate with her whole family almost every mealtime; we met her friends and attended a Medieval festival with them; and we explored the city together. This incredible opportunity gave an insight into a culture and its people in great detail. I not only felt welcomed into the culture but also learned a great deal about Spain and its people through its food, customs, traditions, and more.
Zacary Chartouni
Taiwan: National Taiwan University, Spring Semester 2025
CSU San Luis Obispo | International Business, Marketing
Email: ZChartouni07@csum.edu
What was your Favorite Study Abroad Memory? My favorite study abroad memory is when myself, as well as an exchange student from London, and one from Hanoi planned a trip to Yilan in the countryside of Taiwan. We had to plan the train routes and buses, but the student from London found a skewer restaurant that was delicious once we got there. On our way to the skewer place it started to rain heavily and it was chaotic fun that turned into a moment shared among three friends from far away places in a foreign country. The people in the countryside seemed more laid back than in Taipei and the trip took the whole day but was worth every second.