Student Voices

This page is devoted to showcasing study abroad student experiences and insights. Explore below to learn about the programs, places, perspectives, and people that made study abroad an unforgettable part of the Purdue experience for students like you!

Want to learn more from past participants? Be sure to check out our Returned Student Search where you can contact study abroad alumni mentors directly and get answers to your questions from a student point of view. You can also schedule an appointment with one of our study abroad advisors.

If you are interested in being featured on this page, please email studyabroad@purdue.edu!

Click the play button beneath each photo to hear interviews with our alumni:
	Yagmur Onder Major: Mechanical Engineering; Minor: Global Engineering Studies Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (Spring Semester) Yagmur shares about the power of relationships and what that looked like for her while abroad, how she was able to embrace her name and identity during her program, and how she made sure she was able to vote in Turkey's election while in Spain.
	Paige Fulkerson Major: Elementary Education; Minor: Global Studies Leiden University (Spring Semester) Paige shares her experience studying abroad as an education major as well as scholarships she received to help her study abroad, insights on Dutch culture, and personal takeaways from her time overseas.
	Addie Waltz Majors: English, Psychology University of Essex (Spring Semester) Listen as Addie shares about her experience in Essex, including her favorite parts, regrets she has, balancing it all, getting involved in a local theater production, and her advice for other students.
	Aidan Anastario Major: Computer Engineering; Minors: Business Economics, Mathematics Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (Spring Semester) Aidan shares the ups and downs of study abroad, how to connect with locals, academic differences, budgeting, traveling solo, and how the program ending later than Purdue's term worked with summer internship opportunities.
	Christin Preuss Majors: Psychological Sciences, Spanish IFSA-Study in Buenos Aires Plus: Psychology and Neuroscience (Spring Semester) Christin shares with us about living in Argentina, the complexities of studying abroad, staying in touch with those back home, managing mental health, and how immersion often requires an active choice.
	Mohammad Khokha Major: Mechanical Engineering Technology; Minor: Advanced Global Technology Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences (Spring Semester) Mohammad shares his lessons from Germany including what it was like to study there without drinking alcohol, differences in academics and the academic calendar, culture shock, and more.
	Talia Hirsch Major: Supply Chain & Sales Engineering Technology; Minor: Organizational Leadership CIEE-Barcelona: Business and Culture (Spring Semester) Talia shares about why a co-sponsored program was a good fit for her as well as talks about staying safe, the value of listening to the advice of others, how you really can pack light, and some lessons she learned along the way.
	John Clark Major: Mechanical Engineering; Minor: Management ESTACA (Spring Semester) John talks to us about what he was nervous about before departing, adjusting to his new place and speaking French, how things worked out for him, differences in class structure, and shares his advice for making the most of your study abroad experience.
	Josie Bull Major: Law & Society; Minors: Human Rights Studies, Psychology IES-Amsterdam: Law & Criminology (Spring Semester) Josie shares about her experience in Amsterdam, keeping up with mental health while abroad, difficulties in adjusting, the impact study abroad has had on her, and her advice for others.
	Anna Shura Majors: Professional Writing, Creative Writing; Minor: Global Liberal Arts Studies IFSA-Oxford University (Spring Semester) Anna chats with us about what it's like to study at Oxford, shares how study abroad is not always about the big decisions, discusses making new friends and embracing opportunities as an introvert, and gives some tips on managing homesickness while abroad.
	Grant Fiedler Major: Chemical Engineering; Minors: German, Global Engineering Studies University of Magdeburg (Spring Semester) Grant talks to us about studying abroad in Germany, why the program worked for him as a CHE major, how the different academic semester dates worked out with his GEARE internship, doing research abroad, and some of the obstacles he's faced during his program.
	Ian Heinig Majors: Applied Mathematics, Statistics; Minor: Economics University College Dublin (Fall Semester) Ian shares about finding ways to continue pursing his interests while abroad, navigating public transportation, his experience with the SAIL scholarship and more!
	Ana Isabel Gonzalez Major: Marketing; Minor: Business Economics IES-London: City, University of London (Fall Semester) Ana Isabel walks us through what it was like to study abroad in London, her initial worries, making friends, and how classes were different from Purdue.
	Alan Suen Major: Industrial Management Semester at Sea (Fall Semester) Alan talks to us about his life while participating on Semester at Sea. Learn about life on and off the ship, what classes were like, the community on board the ship, and lessons he's brought back with him.
	Mari Morais Major: Mechanial Engineering; Minor: Global Engineering Studies ESTACA (Spring Semester) Mari tells us about her time at ESTACA, the importance of getting out of your comfort zone and having an open mind, navigating food restrictions in France, and more!
	Olivia Battaglia Major: Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences; Minor: Human Development & Family Studies CAPA-Florence: Global Cities (Spring Semester) Olivia talks with us about her time in Florence, how cost-effective study abroad was for her, how her classes incorporated Italian culture, and encourages others not to be afraid to go alone.
	Dan English Major: Electrical Engineering; Minors: Global Engineering Studies, Mathematics Ruhr University Bochum (Spring Semester) Dan talks to us about his travelling experiences, balancing planning and spontaneity, life as a student in Germany, and advice on how to prepare for your time abroad.
	Holly Shaver Major: Agribusiness; Minors: International Studies in Agriculture, Spanish UMN-Toledo (Spring Semester) Holly shares her experience on a co-sponsored program, how she learned about AG without doing an AG-focused program, how she completed her minor with interesting classes, and how scholarships funded half of her program.
	Nick Mori Major: Industrial Engineering; Minor: Global Engineering Studies Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Spring Semester) Nick takes us through what it was like to live through COVID restrictions in Hong Kong, exploring the best the area had to offer, differences in classes, and his advice for future students.
	Rachael Snow Major: Industrial Engineering; Minors: Mathematics, Spanish Tec de Monterrey-Queretaro (Spring Semester) Rachael shares why she's glad she ended up going to Mexico, her experience with a host family, how to get involved in different activities, and must-try Mexican food recs.
	Nate Hood Major: Creative Writing; Minor: Philosophy IES-Dublin: Writer's Program (Spring Semester) Nate talks about his semester in Dublin, gaining confidence in traveling, the "Nate Adventures" he went on, and meeting someone special along the way.
	Josh Keagle Major: Mechanical Engineering; Minor: Global Engineering Studies GEARE Karlsruhe (Spring Semester) Josh chats with us about his time in Germany, studying abroad as a GEARE student, navigating the highs and lows of study abroad, and his advice for other students.
	Brian Boone Majors: French, Philosophy; Minor: Theatre IES-Paris: French Studies (Fall Semester) Brian tells us about a difficult adjustment the first few weeks, why he's glad he chose Paris, what it was like living abroad during the pandemic, some of his favorite memories, and his advice for other students.
	Viswamber Reddy Chandupatla Majors: Animation, Game Development & Design, Entrepreneurship & Innovation Certificate A Multicultural Experience – Trieste Summer Abroad (Summer) Amsterdam: Creative Thinking and Innovation in Collaborative Leadership (Spring Break) Communication, Culture, and Decision Making in Germany (Summer) Vishwa talks about his experience doing three different short-term programs. He shares what it’s like to do a departmental program, how much free time he had, and what classes were like. He also explains how his courses abroad applied to his plan of study and how he used these credits to take fewer classes during his semesters at Purdue.
	Sohinee Bera Major: Agricultural Communication; Minors: Art & Design, International Studies in Agriculture University of Canterbury (Fall Semester) Sohinee shares about taking classes you just can’t take at Purdue, how a class-related field trip became one of her favorite experiences abroad, how a Purdue connection scored her an international internship, and how her study abroad experience has helped inform her next steps after Purdue.
	Claire LeMonnier Major: Global Studies; Minor: Theatre IFSA-Summer in Pune (Summer) Claire chats about studying, interning, and living with a host family in India, as well as her thoughts on the program, some things that surprised her, and the unexpected community she found through study abroad.
	Mateo Chance Major: Selling & Sales Management; Minor: Communication Purdue London Internship Program (Summer) Mateo chats with us about doing an internship abroad, how employers have noticed it on his resume, and his overall thoughts about the program. He also discusses cultural differences between the U.S. and the U.K. and reflects on balancing work, study, and play.
	Clayton Hicks Majors: Biochemistry, Philosophy University of Exeter (Spring Semester) Transylvania: Dracula and Beyond (Spring Break) Clayton talks with us about his program in England, making friends with locals and other international students, putting study abroad on your resume, and a few tips to help with homesickness.
	Taylor Doehrman Major: Natural Resources & Environmental Science; Minor: Horticulture University of Canterbury (Fall Semester) Taylor shares her advice and talks to us about budgeting for study abroad, maintaining mental health abroad, and what the academics were like.
	Irena Wong Major: Biomedical Engineering; Minor: Psychology National University of Ireland – Galway (Fall Semester) Biomedical Modeling for Global Health in Scandinavia (Summer) Irena chats with us about fully experiencing your host city, differences in how things work at an Irish university, and learning more about not only Irish culture but her own as well.
	Nate Venckus Major: Computer Science Uppsala University (Fall Semester) Nate talks with us about studying abroad in Sweden as a CS major during his senior year, how he managed to make it work despite financial concerns, the benefits of going alone, and how he applied and interviewed for his post-graduation job from Sweden.
	Marie Armes Major: Environmental Geoscience; Minor: Psychology University of Sussex (Spring Semester) Marie shares her study abroad advice and chats with us about navigating a new city, fitting study abroad into your plan of study in various ways, and how there's more to the U.K. than London.
	Arvindakshan Rajesh Major: Finance Purdue London Internship Program (Summer) Arvind talks to us about the value of an international internship, unexpected opportunities he found in London, his initial concerns, and how London is the "best of all worlds."
	Olivia West Major: Sales & Marketing Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (Spring Semester) Olivia talks with us about the barriers she faced to study abroad, her philosophy of "seek and you will find," how she was intentional about what she did on her program, finding a faith community, and being Black abroad.
	Violet Kuchta Major: Brain & Behavioral Sciences DIS-Copenhagen: Health and Science Programs (Summer) Violet talks with us about her study abroad experience in Denmark, the classes she took, and how she's leveraged her experience in job interviews after returning.
	Maria Ramirez Major: Environmental & Ecological Engineering IES-Sydney: University of New South Wales (Spring Semester) Maria chats with us about studying in Sydney, being abroad during the pandemic, adjusting to a different academic structure, and what it was like to study abroad as an international student at Purdue.
	Kara Anderson Major: History; Minors: English, German IES-London (Summer) Kara talks about adjusting to life abroad, what classes and housing were like for her, the benefits of getting to know her host city, and experiencing reverse culture shock back in the U.S. She also discusses managing time and finding balance abroad while wanting to do it all.
	Andrew Arndt Major: Economics; Minor: Political Science Bocconi University (Fall Semester) Andrew talks with us about what it's like to study abroad on an exchange program in Italy, adjusting to a new academic system and navigating the language barrier without knowing Italian. He shares his worries prior to departure, his advice for other students, and what he misses about Italy.
	Joanna Bastian Major: Biomedical Engineering; Minor: Global Engineering Studies Global Leadership in Peru for Freshmen (Fall Semester) Engineering Teaching and Research with High School Learners in Kenya (Summer) Leibniz University Hannover-Summer Science and Engineering Projects (Summer) Joanna talks with us about doing three study abroad programs on three different continents! Learn about how she made study abroad work as a BME student, how she's grown in her intercultural competence journey, and what advice she has to share, and pick up a few packing tips!
	Paul Samms Major: Psychological Sciences; Minor: History CAPA-London: Wrongful Convictions (Summer) Paul discusses why he picked his program, what London is really like, and being of Afro-Caribbean descent and finding community in London. He also talks to us about living in a big city, safety, and his advice for future study abroad students.
	Shreya Desai Major: Neurobiology & Physiology; Minor: Psychology IFSA-Buenos Aires: Psychology in English (Summer) Shreya talks to us about what it was like living in Argentina, taking classes abroad, staying with a host family, and being a woman of color abroad. She also shares her advice for other students.
	Victoria Malone Majors: Developmental & Family Science, Spanish; Minor: Human Rights Studies Spanish in Mallorca (Summer) IFSA-Argentine Universities Program in Buenos Aires (Fall Semester) Victoria talks about studying abroad for a summer and a semester, living with host families, taking courses taught in another language, and doing an internship abroad.
	Carmen Michlovich Major: Public Relations & Strategic Communication; Minors: Earth, Atmospheric, & Planetary Sciences, Sociology IES-Paris: Business and International Affairs (Spring Semester) Carmen talks to us about studying in Paris, what she was nervous about, getting a visa, living with a host family, and what is was like to have to come home early due to COVID-19.