Talk to a Global Ambassador
Neeki Mostoufi
Hometown: Carrollton, TX
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Email: most123@tamu.edu
Global Program Type/Location: Faculty Led
International Education Experience: The summer after my freshman year, I attended a faculty-led study abroad in Bonn, Germany for the German Language and Culture Study Abroad Program. I have always had a close connection to Germany and I knew that not only would this study abroad supplement my German minor, but I would also be immersed in the German culture and have an opportunity to travel throughout Germany and experience all the wonderful sights and history! My biggest takeaway from my study abroad was how important it is to really immerse yourself and embrace the cultures of the world and learn something new about yourself along the way!
Isabela Lozano
Hometown: Waco, Texas
Major: Electrical Engineering
Email: ilozano2@tamu.edu
Global Program Type/Location: Reciprocal Exchange / Field Trip (Short Trip)
International Education Experience: I went to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico the spring break of my freshman year to study Global Entrepreneurship. Then the summer of my freshman year went to Doha, Qatar for 10 weeks through the reciprocal exchange program and took 3 courses. I chose to attend each education abroad trip to be able to immerse myself in a wide range of different cultures. My biggest takeaway from each experience would definitely be the friendships I now have in different countries, miles away yet connected through Texas A&M University! Another takeaway would be how each study abroad trip has allowed me to network with a very diverse set of people preparing me for my future career.
Carmen Malave
Hometown: College Station, TX
Major: Industrial Engineering
Email: carmsmalave@tamu.edu
Global Program Type/Location: Reciprocal Exchange/Faculty Led/Field Trip (Short Trip)
International Education Experience: I went on a reciprocal exchange program to attend the TAMUQ branch campus in Doha, Qatar. I went on this program because even though it only offers 4 engineering disciplines, I was still able to take 18hrs, knock out some core electives, immerse myself in a completely new culture, and most importantly learn my role as a global citizen. I also went on a week-long field trip to the Netherlands to attend a Humanitarian-Engineering workshop and get my certification in rapid prototyping. Lastly, I went on a faculty-led study abroad to Greece. This was a very last-minute arrangement for me, but it was one of the most fun and interesting trips I've ever been on. I learned so much about the history of Greece, engineering economics in the real world, and was even able to tour industrial sites.
Vivian Martin
Hometown: Houston, TX
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Email: vivianmartin@tamu.edu
International Education Experience: In the Winter and Spring of 2019, I went to both a faculty led program in Italy and a semester abroad in Germany. I wanted to expand my knowledge of cultures I had no previous exposure to. My biggest takeaway was no matter what your major or career ends up being, never stop learning about things outside your expertise. There is so much knowledge out there.
Ty Buchanan
Hometown: Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota
Major: Pure Mathematics and Aerospace Engineering
Email: tbuch1999@tamu.edu
Global Program Type/Location: Faculty Led
International Education Experience: I went to France in Summer 2018 to study Advanced Calculus with the Math Department as a way to ease my math major, then I went to Peru in Summer 2019 to serve as an American ambassador and English teacher, and I will be going to Egypt in Winter 2019 to study Engineering Ethics. All of my experiences were a result of my passion for pursuing and spreading knowledge throughout the world in hopes that I may unfold a beautiful future destined for humanity. With these experiences, I truly believe that traveling paves the way forward to actualizing our potential.
Christina Abraham
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Major: Material Science Engineering
Email: cma51899@tamu.edu
Global Program Type/Location: Faculty Led/Engineering Brigade (Volunteering)
International Education Experience: During spring break I traveled with A&M's first engineering brigade to Honduras to help design a new water system for the community, Villa Cardenal. I learned that people who have little have so much more than us. This trip was beyond eye-opening and showed me how engineering can make such a big impact.
During the summer I traveled to Peru through to take the course, Engineering Ethics. Through this trip, I was able to make friendships with the Peruvian students and learn about a beautiful country that I definitely plan on going back to one day.
Antonella Acosta
Hometown: McAllen, TX
Major: Civil Engineering
Email: antonella876@tamu.edu
Global Program Type/Location: Field Trip (Short Trip)
International Education Experience: Going abroad is the most incredible, enriching experience I've had in my life. I was able to cross geographic limits I had in my mind of just obtaining a job or studying in Texas. When in class, I was able to interact with the Mexican students at the host university and the exchange of ideas in engineering topics was amazing. Both parties were able to compare the learning and teaching methods of the same concept, this really taught me how to expand the communication methods I had and speak in more technical terms as I learned that engineering is a universal language. Every technical or touristic site we visited taught me how important communication and collaboration between people from different countries is. Through the activities done I was able to obtain presentation skills that gave me the confidence to be able to communicate an idea to a diverse group of people and taught me how to stay on technical terms. I did not just take technical aspects out of this opportunity but life-long friendships, as well.
Bryton Praslicka
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Major: PhD Student in Electrical Engineering
Email: bryton.praslicka@tamu.edu
Global Program Type/Location: Reciprocal Exchange, and Two Faculty Led Programs
International Education Experience: Having never left the country before, and only visiting Alabama once, spending a semester abroad in Qatar was a huge step for me. While I was there, I discovered the beauty of diversity, found my passion within engineering, and realized my ability to plan and execute projects and trips. Confident in my newfound ability, I shipped my bags home, bought a backpack, and spent the Summer traveling Europe and have now been to over 20 countries. My passion for engineering led me to discover my passion for research, and my ability to work with people of various backgrounds led me to earn a full fellowship as I now pursue my PhD in Magnetically Geared Machines.
Carlos Parra
Hometown: Spring, Texas
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Email: cjparra@tamu.edu
Global Program Type/Location: Faculty Led
International Education Experience: During the Winter of 2019, I traveled to Barcelona, Spain. At first, I decided to participate in the program because of how convenient it fit in my degree plan, but quickly discovered what an adventure it would turn out to be. The most important takeaway for me was how I developed socially throughout the program, not only with the many locals I interacted with, but also with the amazing new friends I made along the way. I was absolutely moved by all of the jaw-dropping sights and history that I experienced and came away with larger aspirations to explore what the world has to offer.
Julio Blanco
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Major: Industrial and Systems Engineering
Email: juliodarian@tamu.edu
Global Program Type/Location: ELCIR Yucatan
International Education Experience: In the summer of 2018 I had the opportunity to go to Yucatán, Mexico where I participated in a three-week program that focused on introduction to research. I wanted to go on this trip because I saw it as a great opportunity to experience how research is conducted outside of the United States. My main takeaway from this experience is that there are many smart and dedicated individuals out there ranging from farmers to electricians who are working hard to find ways to make our world a better place for all of us to live.
Sarah Neidhardt
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Major: Chemical Engineering
Email: snneidhardt@tamu.edu
Global Program Type/Location: Faculty Led
International Education Experience: I studied abroad in Winter 2019 in Budapest, Hungary and Vienna, Austria for Ethics in Engineering. I originally wanted to take this class abroad because I'd heard it was the most feasible for my degree plan. I had traveled internationally with my family previously, and I knew I wanted to study abroad. My biggest takeaways were the independence and responsibility from learning to adapt to new countries on my own. I also made close friends with my fellow students because we bonded through our shared experiences! I think cultural appreciation and acceptance are important for developing young adults and that every student should get the opportunity to travel abroad.