Rockwell School of Business

Kristina Fatigati

• Marketing major
• Spring 2024 Semester in Sorrento, Italy

“Immersing yourself in a new environment allows you to appreciate the full experience including new foods, holidays, clothes, etc. Not to mention, making new friends that will continue for a lifetime.”

Email Kristina at knfst158@mail.rmu.edu

 

Abby Cowie

• Accounting Major
• Spring 2023 semester in Seoul, South Korea

"Studying abroad truly helped me to find myself! I feel as if I have grown into a whole new person since I had to rely on myself to socialize, budget, and travel in a whole new country. I absolutely recommend studying abroad to everyone who is able to do it since you’ll be able to let yourself grow in so many aspects."

Email Abby at avcst307@mail.rmu.edu

 

Sarah Parry

• Management and Marketing majors
• Spring 2022 semester in London, England

"Studying abroad connected me with so many incredible people that I still work with today and that I am still friends with. I now have global connections and have friends in all kinds of places. I also learned SO much! It is so amazing to hear different perspectives about different topics and also to see how culture is different in Europe vs USA. It is by far the best decision I have ever made and would do it over and over again."

 

Aurora Rogers

• Sport Management and Hospitality & Tourism Management majors
• Spring 2022 semester in Sorrento, Italy

"Studying abroad definitely changed me in many ways and broadened my knowledge of a variety of cultures. I grew as a person, learned a lot about myself, and became more self-confident in who I was. Making new friends while exploring new places was an amazing experience and I am so happy that I studied abroad."

 

Rowan Zavatchan

• Finance and Hospitality & Tourism Management majors
• Summer 2020 in Seoul, South Korea

"During challenging times and amazing experiences, I cherished every moment spent out of country. I certainly gained a new level of freedom while abroad that I am unwilling to give up as well as a new mindset towards my future."

 

Samantha Williams

• Accounting major
• FLEAP to South Africa in Spring 2019

“Studying abroad has given me many new opportunities in the professional world by giving me a unique academic experience and giving me chances for personal growth. The opportunity to both learn about rising business ventures in a foreign country and to explore the culture is an experience I believe every student should get to have.”

 

Erin Confortini

• Finance and Economics majors
• Spring 2019 Semester in Florence, Italy*

“Studying abroad was the best experience of my life. It taught me how to be independent by living alone in a completely foreign country. I had the opportunity to travel to 12 different countries during my semester in Florence, and because of this experience I have a lifetime of memories and friendships that I will cherish forever.”

*Note that this is not currently an approved semester program for RMU students.

 

School of Engineering and Science

Malachi Burtt

• Biology major
• Spring 2024 Semester in Palmerston North, New Zealand

“Studying abroad in New Zealand allowed me to meet and learn about cultures that were not in the US. I would highly recommend studying abroad if you enjoy meeting new people and learning how their everyday lives differ from your own.”

Email Malachi at mebst227@mail.rmu.edu

 

Sara Chernicky

• Biomedical Engineering major, with an MS in Engineering Management
• Summer 2019 internship with CIEE in Santiago, Chile
• Vira I. Heinz Scholar

“My time in Santiago, Chile was priceless. Getting to test my boundaries in my first experience abroad provided an opportunity for personal growth and self-exploration. Academically, I was given opportunities in my research internship abroad at the University of Chile that I do not believe I would have been given in the states.”

 

Mia Krolczyk

• Industrial Engineering major
• Summer 2019 abroad with SIT in Iceland
• Vira I. Heinz Scholar

“Studying abroad allowed me to explore renewable energy in an area where it is actively being developed and practiced. Studying abroad also strengthened my independence and sparked my interest in traveling.”

 

Jessica Sales

• Industrial Engineering major
• Summer 2019 abroad with the School for Field Studies (SFS) in Costa Rica
• Vira I. Heinz Scholar

“Studying abroad in Costa Rica broadened my global perspective as well as my perspective about myself. Before visiting Costa Rica, I thought that there was only landscape there was rainforest. Our study and research opportunities provided through the Center for Sustainable Development took us all over Costa Rica. From the lowlands to the highlands even to the mountains. I saw firsthand that not only are there rainforests, but there are other landscapes such as dry forests, cloud forests, coast lines, and even a páramo in the mountains. This opened my eyes that the diversity in Costa Rica goes much further than just the wildlife. I also found that I could handle more than I ever thought. I learned that making “sacrifices” for sustainable living such as cold showers, compost toilets, and limiting electricity consumption do not actually have to be sacrifices at all.”

 

School of Data Intelligence and Technology

Sami Harold

• Criminal Justice major
• Summer 2024 with CISAbroad in Rome, Italy
• Vira I. Heinz Scholar

“My time abroad was a once in a lifetime experience for me as I got to immerse myself in an entirely new culture while also gaining valuable knowledge that will benefit me in my academic life. I would recommend any who is thinking of going abroad to 100% go for it; there has been nothing more rewarding in my life than doing so. By going abroad I made many lifelong friends as well as memories that I will carry with me forever.”

Email Sami at sjhst121@mail.rmu.edu

 

Gavin Hartman

• Cybersecurity major
• Spring 2023 abroad in Edinburgh, Scotland

"My favorite experience was being able to travel and see so many different things in Germany and Czechia. I would recommend to any student thinking about studying abroad to do it, it is the best experience you will have in college. Studying abroad gave me a new sense of the world, cooking skills, and overall I have matured a lot."

Email Gavin at gphst277@mail.rmu.edu

 

Haley Nangle

• Data Analytics major
• 2023 FLEAP to Norway & Sweden

“The study abroad program really helped me become more comfortable being uncomfortable. I didn’t know anyone on the trip, so it was a new country with new people and I loved it!! Made some of the closest friends, and already trying to find a way to study abroad again!”

Email Haley at hcnst292@mail.rmu.edu

 

Shaylin McGuire

• Criminal Justice major
• Summer 2022 in London, England
• Vira I. Heinz Scholar

"My study abroad experience was life-changing in so many ways, so I would highly recommend it to anyone who is able. Studying abroad gives students an opportunity to indulge themselves in different cultures and lifestyles while also expanding academically. This kind of experience enables personal, academic, and professional growth, and allows students to view the world from a different perspective."

 

Amanda Ebner

• Information Science major
• Spring 2020 semester in Sorrento, Italy

"Studying abroad allowed me to grow in ways no other experience has. Whether exploring the canals of Venice or the streets of Florence, traveling abroad taught me to be more self-reliant, adventurous, and confident, all while learning more about another culture and way of life. I'll always treasure my adventures abroad, and I know that they have prepared me to take on whatever lies ahead in my adult life. I think all RMU students should study abroad to broaden their horizons and get the chance to grow in a foreign country."

 

School of Education and Social Sciences

Haley Degitz

• Political Science emajor
• Summer 2023 abroad in Sorrento, Italy
• Vira I. Heinz Scholar

"Studying abroad in Italy was the most transforming experience of my life so far. I was personally and professionally challenged to step out of my comfort zone. By doing so, I advanced academically and confidently."

Email Haley at hmdst144@mail.rmu.edu

 

Lauren Hunsecker

• Political Science major; accelerated program with MS Cyber Investigations and Intelligence
• Summer 2022 in Athens, Greece
• Vira I. Heinz Scholar

"I have never felt so at peace with my soul than when I was in Greece–particularly when I was floating in any one of the seas. I felt truly free, adventurous, curious, happy, carefree and sometimes (which I found to be the best times now looking back) uncomfortable. I learned more about myself when I was in uncomfortable situations in Greece than when I was previously just “living” in America. I finally realized and came to terms that I was simply going with the flow of life too much."

 

Megan Asmonga

• Early Childhood and Special Education major
• Spring 2019 Semester with ISA in Port Elizabeth, South Africa*

“Experiencing new cultures and languages in South Africa has allowed me to become more independent. As an education major, this experience has provided me insight on how to relate to other cultures and languages in the classroom.”

*Note that this is not currently an approved semester program for RMU students.

 

Allison Kowal

• Nursing major
• Spring 2019 FLEAP to Australia and Fall 2019 FLEAP to Ecuador

“Studying abroad led me to realize my passion in traveling and exploring new cultures. My trip to Ecuador for nursing holds one of my favorite experiences which was opening up a clinic and providing care in a community for a week. Within this community, I meant inspiring individuals who have shown me the importance of life.”

 

Sydney Clark

• Political Science major
• Summer 2019 abroad with CIEE in Cape Town, South Africa

“Studying abroad completely changed my perspective not only of the world but also of myself. I never thought I’d be able to get on a plane and go to another country to study and explore with a group of people I’ve never met before. But doing so gave me the confidence I needed to know that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.”

 

School of Communication and Media

Isabella Marasco

• News and Sports Communication major
• Summer 2024 with CIEE in Paris, France
• Vira I. Heinz Scholar

"I would recommend studying abroad to an RMU student for a variety of reasons. It helped me to grow so much in ways I never expected. I came back more confident, more experienced, and with more knowledge about the world. Now, I feel as though I could do almost anything and want people to have that same opportunity."

Email Isabella at immst325@mail.rmu.edu

 

Zipporah Sewell

• Organizational Leadership major
• Summer 2022 in Cusco, Peru and Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
• Vira I. Heinz Scholar
• Gilman Scholar

"One of the things I am so grateful for is being able to learn about the world during my time abroad is that it is so big and there is so much to see and do. Even if you are in a place and you feel like you have checked all the boxes of places you will stumble down a street and end up in a cafe that has cats walking around and realize there is never enough time to see everything but trying is just as fun."

 

Anna Zaharewicz

• Media Arts - Graphic Design major
• Spring 2020 semester in Edinburgh, Scotland

"Studying abroad was the best decision I have ever made. It dramatically changed me in the two and a half months I was away. Not only did I learn in a new environment, but I learned more about myself. One of my favorite experiences abroad was travelling with a group of my friends to Venice. The trip was sort of last minute and barely planned out but it will always stick with me. I would heavily encourage every student to look into studying abroad, that being a FLEAP or semester. I formed relationships and memories that really changed who I am and my outlook on everything."

 

School of Health Professions

Claire Giovannelli

• Psychology Major
• Fall 2023 semester in Athens, Greece

“Studying abroad is a life changing experience that helps you explore the world while continuing your education. I was able to build my independence and confidence in traveling and had experiences like no other. I became more outgoing and more comfortable in my travel skills.”

Email Claire at cjgst161@mail.rmu.edu.

 

Justyce Hill

• Psychology major
• Spring 2019 Semester in Santiago, Chile

“Studying abroad has change my perception of the world for the better. A student should study abroad just to gain the cultural awareness and experience. Learning and adapting is a great way to help you become more open minded.”