In this episode of THE Study Abroad Pod, Wright State University student Celeste Irwin shares her unique journey of playing Ultimate Frisbee in South Korea while studying abroad at the USAC Gwangju program. With USAC Verona alumna Sophia DeYoung as host, they discuss the thrill of connecting with a new culture through sports, balancing academics and athletics abroad, and the unforgettable friendships forged on the field. Whether you're an athlete, a student, or just curious about the intersection of sports and study abroad, this episode is for you.

Have an idea for a future episode or just want to learn more about study abroad? Email us at studyabroad@usac.edu.

In this episode, hosts Mason and Isela will celebrate transformative student stories from 2024 and share a few of their own personal takeaways and memorable adventures. Ranging from Korean Frisbee tournaments to Italian Riviera tours, the alumni stories they will share showcase the growth students experience through navigating challenges abroad, and the joy they discover while exploring a new environment and forging new friendships. This reflective finale offers inspiration and practical advice for prospective and returning study abroad students alike.

Have an idea for a future episode or just want to learn more about study abroad? Email us at studyabroad@usac.edu.

A reformed skeptic when it comes to studying abroad, University of Nevada, Las Vegas senior Cesia Cordies wasn’t sure she would go through with it until her visa was processed and she enrolled in her classes at the Université Catholique de Lyon in France. A double major in History and French language, all her classes will bring her closer to graduating — while she is the farthest she’s ever been from home. Now, living in a new city and constantly practicing her third language, she is building new relationships, studying, volunteering, and embracing a foreign culture wholeheartedly. Join Cesia as she chats with USAC Alumni Content Coordinator (and former USAC Lyon student) Colette Horton to discuss French culture in and outside of the classroom, and the beautiful balancing act of living like a local in Lyon.

Have an idea for a future episode or just want to learn more about study abroad? Email us at studyabroad@usac.edu.

Becoming a world traveler means paying attention to how you interact with other people and cultures. Your values, goals, reactions — your identity — will affect your experience. To explain what that means, listen to an honest conversation between two friends: Rabiah, a Nigerian American and Muslim woman, and Thomas, an openly gay Puerto Rican man. These USAC Alicante alumni offer tips for energizing your identity.

Have an idea for a future episode or just want to learn more about study abroad? Email us at studyabroad@usac.edu.

One of the biggest concerns for students who want to study abroad is the cost. This episode, hosted by USAC Italy alumni Sophia DeYoung and Danny Rhodes, reveals several insider tips on how you can minimize travel and living costs while maximizing your experience abroad. They cover everything from setting a budget, avoiding overlooked costs, and leveraging all the ways to make a term abroad just as affordable as one at home.

Listeners will hear essay writing advice from USAC Thailand alumnus Ricardo Estrada-Davila – a California State University, Chico student who earned not one, not two, but three study abroad scholarships. Plus, we’ll get a behind the scenes look at how to make your essay stand out from the rest from Ryder Hankins, a USAC Italy Alumnus and a former University of Nevada, Las Vegas, scholarship essay evaluator.

Have an idea for a future episode or just want to learn more about study abroad? Email us at studyabroad@usac.edu.

It helps to be a part of a deep-rooted Italian community if you’re looking to be taught how to cook pasta the “right” way. Accepting new ways of doing things can also help you build the confidence to teach others about your own values as well. University of Nevada, Las Vegas graduate Ryder Hankins will walk us through the lasting impact of making good food and finding a friendly community as a queer person during his time in both the USAC Viterbo and USAC Torino programs. In this episode, we will also feature a segment of “You Belong,” a video presentation by USAC Chiang Mai alumnus Ami King, about his experience finding community as a queer person abroad. "You Belong" in it's entirety can be found on our YouTube channel.

Have an idea for a future episode or just want to learn more about study abroad? Email us at studyabroad@usac.edu.

Let's talk Study Abroad! From London bathrooms to Korean Fried Chicken, University of Nevada, Reno students and alumni Angelica, Dominic, Kaycee, and Olivia share their advice and most valuable study abroad experiences in France, Japan, Korea and the UK.

Have an idea for a future episode or just want to learn more about study abroad? Email us at studyabroad@usac.edu.

Eric Torres Garcia — a Mexican American, two-time USAC Italy alumnus — shares how self-discovery abroad helped him embrace his identity as a gay man and gelato-making inspired his viral hot chocolate creation and business, Cocoa Bombs™.

Learn more about Cocoa Bombs™, study abroad in USAC Verona and Torino, and explore our LBGTQIA+ resources to help you find your ideal experience abroad.

Have an idea for a future episode or just want to learn more about study abroad? Email us at studyabroad@usac.edu.