So many books this semester! My book bag almost tumbles me backwards as I struggle to put it on my shoulders. I’m ready for all that is to be thrown at me, my slate clean, unmarred by lack of sleep and coffee stains. This freshness permeates my entire body with excitement because, not only will I be beginning a set of new classes, but I have the privilege to be a part of an exciting new program in the Office of Global Programs in the Study Abroad office. This program is a chance to allow our time studying abroad to inspire us to be for incoming international exchange students what others were for us when we were overseas. Studying abroad is both an exciting and scary experience. The application process can be daunting, but does not have to be.  That is where we, the new kids on campus, come in. We are your Global Ambassadors and we can be found on the second floor of the Campus Center 2100.
Who are we?  We are students who have studied abroad, falling in love with our perspective universities and countries. We returned brimming with exhilaration and a strong desire to share as well as spread the joy to others.  I want to introduce the eight of us in varying majors and points of study. Some of us were away for only a month while others studied for six months. Most of us used our time to travel while we were there expanding our experience to the fullest.  And so, here we are: your Global Ambassadors!
I will begin with Colin Barnes, a Junior majoring in Economics.  He studied in Ireland at the University of Limerick for four months in Spring 2018.  
Office Hours: Monday: 2:30 – 4 p.m., Tuesday: 10 a.m. – noon, Friday: 2 – 2:30 p.m.
Fiona Berger is a Junior studying Psychology.  She also attended the University of Limerick in Ireland in Spring 2018.
Office Hours: Monday: 10 a.m. – noon, 2 – 3 p.m., Wednesday: 10 a.m. – noon.
Jeffrey Bolton is a Senior.  He is a Political Science and Economics major.  He studied in Sydney, Australia.
Office Hours: Tuesday: 10 a.m. – noon, 12:30 – 2 p.m., Thursday: 11 a.m – 12:30 p.m.
Thomas (Tommy) Fee is a Senior, majoring in Economics and Management with a concentration in International Management. He studied at the University of Mannheim in Mannheim, Germany in Spring 2018 where he spent six months studying and traveling.  
Office Hours: Tuesday: 3 – 5 p.m., Thursday: 2 – 3:30 p.m., Friday: 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Jennifir Huston is a Junior who is majoring in English with German Studies and Creative Writing minors. She studied in Kassel, Germany at the University of Kassel in Summer 2018. She also wrote for the UMass Boston Study Abroad blog while in Germany.  
Office Hours:   Tuesday: 3:30 – 5 p.m., Thursday: 3:30 – 5 p.m.
Online Advising:  Tuesday and Thursday: 3:30 – 6 p.m.
Google Hangouts:  [email protected]
Maryanne Kamunya is a Graduate student studying International Relations. She is from Kenya. She was an exchange student in the UK while in High School. She earned her undergraduate degree in Cape Town, South Africa and is now working on her Masters at UMass Boston.  
Office Hours:   Monday: 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Thursday:  10 – 11:30 a.m.
Friday:  10 a.m – noon
Trezure Patrice Lardeur is an American and French dual citizen. She is a senior who is majoring in Philosophy and Classical Studies. She studied at Renmin University in China in Summer 2018.
Office Hours:   Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., 2 – 4 p.m.
Delaney Ledoux is a Junior who is a Biology Major and Spanish Minor. She studied at the University of Seville in Seville, Spain in Spring 2018.  
Office Hours:  Monday: 2 – 3:30 p.m., Thursday:  12:30 – 2:30 p.m., Friday: 2:30 – 4 p.m.
And so, hello all!  We are your Global Ambassadors! We are here to answer or find the answers to any questions related to studying abroad.  We have all been through the application process and the different documents needed for the application and beyond. We can guide you through the process or at least give you a shoulder to lean on! As Global Ambassadors, we also serve as “buddies” for the exchange students.  We will be posting events and happenings in and around Boston on the New Bostonians ’18 Facebook page. Stop by the office anytime because it is likely one of us will be there!
I also want to share some upcoming events so that you may get to know us and the Study Abroad Program. Studying abroad is an amazing growing experience and I would love to see every student get a chance to do so. Obstacles can be surmounted. I myself am an older student with a full time job, but managed to surmount the obstacles and my trepidation!  It is life changing!
Study Abroad Peer Advising Walk In Hours (Campus Center, Second Floor, 2115)
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 10 a.m. – noon.; 2 – 4 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Online Advising:  Tuesday and Thursday: 3:30 – 6 p.m.
Links
Homepage:         https://www.umb.edu/academics/global/studyabroad
Blog Site:            https://umbstudyabroadalumni.wordpress.com/fall-2018-student-bloggers/
Scholarships:      https://www.umb.edu/academics/global/studyabroad/financial/scholarship 
Programs:            https://www.umb.edu/academics/global/studyabroad/programs
Getting Started:  https://www.umb.edu/academics/global/studyabroad/getting_started
Upcoming Events
Study Abroad 101 Sessions for Fall 2018 (Campus Center, Second Floor 2115) 3 – 4 p.m.
Tuesday 9/18, 10/2, 10/16, 10/30, 11/13, 11/27
Friday 8/14, 9/28, 10/12, 10/26, 11/09, 12/07