Each month as part of our Ambassador Program, we award the Ambassador of the Month title to two Ambassadors who have shown exceptional dedication to international education by taking part in a variety of outreach activities both on their campuses and online.
Our December Ambassadors of the Month awardees are Victoria Le (Cape Town Health Studies Summer Program, Summer 2014), and Sara Getson (Paris French Studies Program, Fall 2014).
Victoria Le studies Environmental Science at North Carolina State University. Her time in Cape Town had a profound effect on her worldview, and she is working to encourage other students on campus to take advantage of intercultural opportunities.
She serves as a peer advisor in her study abroad office and mentors students through their study abroad journey. Victoria also helps at study abroad fairs and international education events. This past fall, she worked with her study abroad office to host a student panel designed to inform prospective study abroad students about their options. Victoria also takes part in promoting international education through social media outreach, email campaigns, and doing study abroad review posts.
Victoria says, “My favorite part about being an Ambassador is being able to interact with students who are passionate and curious about traveling. I get to relive my adventures and experiences while talking to peers, and furthermore I get to enlighten and motivate others. It reminds me every day why I am applying for the Masters of Arts in International Education program!”
Sara Getson is a junior at Penn State University where she studies French. She is a Francophile who enjoys supporting other students as they consider studying abroad. At PSU, Sara has worked closely with her study abroad office to provide support at study abroad fairs and predeparture orientations. Her insight into Parisian culture, living in a homestay, and language immersion are invaluable to her classmates. Sara took the initiative to write an article about her time in Paris for a local magazine, Town & Gown. You can read her article here.
In Sara’s words, “As an IES Abroad Ambassador, I really enjoy helping out with predeparture orientations at Penn State. I love being able to answer questions, offer advice from my time abroad, and encourage other students who are about to study abroad. I remember when I was just starting out and all of the people who helped me along the way, so to now have the opportunity to assist others in accomplishing their dream is just amazing!”
The IES Abroad Ambassador Program is designed to connect our future students with our past students. There are currently more than 800 active Ambassadors representing the IES Abroad Consortium membership and our 125+ programs worldwide. Interested in learning more about our Ambassador Program or have a question for a past IES Abroad student? Visit our IES Abroad Ambassadors page to learn more.
