Peer Advisors

Studied at: Bond University, Fall 2018>

Major/Minor: Accounting Major / IDCC Minor

#1 piece of advice for students studying abroad:
Try new things and have an open mind! There is so much opportunity and things waiting to be discovered surrounding you while studying abroad. Be outside as much as you possibly can and keep technology to a minimum. This is one of the last times you will have so much freedom with such little responsibility. Do not be afraid to travel alone, or travel with people you have just met, and completely immerse yourself into your environment. Everyone is in the same boat as you, so reach out and talk to the students around you and meet people in your classes, you may just come to find your new best friend.

Major/Minor: Corporate Finance and Accounting, Health & Industry LSM

What was your favorite local gem to go to?“Let’s meet up in front of the state library.” I always felt excited when I received this message in Melbourne. I had a group chat, which included all new friends I made during the exchange students orientation. Despite they came from different countries and universities, we held the same purpose to explore the city and the country as many so possibility. Therefore, everyone shared what he or she found and enjoyed to provide information for others to experience. Some people shared interesting local events; other people shared touring plans to other cities. As a result, the state library, as our rendezvous, was my favorite place because going to the library meant I would meet friends, go to recommended event, finalize travel plans and experience something new.

Major:Management with a concentration in Human Resources, minor in Global Studies

#1 piece of advice for students studying abroad:

Don’t stick to what you know. It is really easy when studying abroad to only spend time with other Bentley students you came with and only eat food you are familiar with. If you do that then you won’t get as much out of your experience as you could. Different cultures can be intimidating but also incredible. Letting yourself be immersed in another culture can teach students a great deal about where they are living and a great deal about themselves. I am exceptionally grateful that my program allowed me to meet people from all over Europe and built relationships with people that I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to meet.

Major/Minor: Marketing major with double minor in law and psychology

What was one of your most meaningful experiences and why?

The most meaningful experiences I had were the opportunities given to me as a Gilman Scholar recipient. During my time in Hungary, I volunteered with EducationUSA and Fulbright Representatives in Hungary to give presentations to Hungarian High School students about the various secondary education opportunities that exists in America. During the presentations, I talked about my time at Bentley and the different activities that I was involved in on campus, and served as a peer advisor to them- giving advice on what tests, academic requirements, and extracurricular activities that colleges and universities expect from possible students. I was invited to events at the U.S. embassy in Hungary and I had the opportunity to meet with U.S. diplomats and other representatives during a Thanksgiving dinner event.

Major/Minor: Marketing Major, IDCC Minor

What was one of your most meaningful experiences and why?

One of my most meaningful experiences abroad was being able to form connections with residents of my host country. In the IES Milan program we are placed in an apartment with a community assistant from Italy who acts as an RA. I was able to form a strong bond with my CA; she became a great friend and helped me to ease my way into life abroad. It was nice to form a connection with her as she was able to help me practice my Italian and also introduce me to the overall culture in Milan. Many students who studied abroad and regret not meeting more people from their host country, but I am happy to say I was able to form lifelong relationships with not only my community assistant but other Italians as well. 

Major/Minor: Management/Marketing

Why should Bentley students study abroad?

Students should study abroad because it is an experience that both broadens their worldly perspective and builds character. When you live in a foreign country, you begin to question your own culture and understand that the world stretches beyond our “Bentley Bubble”. Learning to adapt to a completely foreign environment is a skill that students develop abroad and bring home with them; it makes any adjustment back in the United States comparably much easier. Studying abroad pushes students to reach out of your comfort zone, and this is how they learn the most.

Major/Minor: English Major/ Business Studies and Human Resource Management Minor

#1 piece of advice for students studying abroad:

My number one piece of advice for studying abroad is to scrap all expectations of the host country or school you’re going too. While this may seem harsh, I say this because the last thing you want to happen once your abroad is to allow your perceptions of what you think the country is to cloud the actuality of what it is. Going to Morocco, I thought I was going to have an abundance of couscous and see people riding camels constantly. In actuality, couscous was only served on Friday’s on campus- and the most camels I saw were in Marrakech- a city 6 hours away from the city I was in (Ifrane). I also thought that it would never reach below 50 degrees, but the nights in Ifrane dipped into the 30’s constantly. Therefore, go in with an absolute open mind and do as much research as possible. Especially about the city you’re going to- not just the country only.