Peer Advisors

Peer Advisors are former study abroad program participants who have "been there done that". They can tell you about their experiences, answer questions about study abroad in general, and help you find the information you need in the library. Peer Advisors may also conduct general information sessions, make class presentations, and assist with events such as the annual International Opportunities Fair or Summer Orientation.

These positions are unpaid. However, students with work study funds may use those funds to receive pay for their work as Peer Advisors. If you are interested in becoming a Study Abroad Peer Advisor, please contact Linda Wiges at linda.wiges@uni.edu  or 273-7078. Students interested in applying will be asked to submit the following: 

Application Form - (PDF) (Word) Paper copies also available from 28 Gilchrist Hall.
Statement of Purpose - A letter explaining the reasons why you would like to become a peer advisor, your past experience in studying abroad, your strengths, and the contributions you will make to students and the study abroad office.
Resume 
Letter of Support - from a professor, advisor or former supervisor who knows you well. 

Julie Baldwin


Programs: Costa Rica, Sweden, Nicaragua, Ghana, China, Spain-summer, CEA
Class: Senior
Major: Theater and Spanish
Study Abroad Experience: Studied in Granada Spain during the '07-'08 academic school year through CEA. It was awesome!
Other Activities: Singer/songwriter, musician in rockin' fusion band, cooking and baking delicious food, encouraging others, nonconventional theatre, theatre for youth, general silliness.

Dustin Collins


Programs: New Zealand, Arcadia programs
Class: Senior
Major: Computer Science and Art
Study Abroad Experience: Travelled to Auckland, New Zealand Spring 2008.
Favorite experiences:Petting wallabies!, unsupervised caving, tramping through the jungle in the dark.


James Hanlon


Programs: Ireland, Butler programs
Class: Junior
Major: Accounting and Economics
Study Abroad Experience: Studied abroad in Ireland at University College Cork during the 2008 spring semester.
Other activities: UNI Honors, Accounting Club, Accounting Assistant for the Office of Business Operations, and a volunteer for the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Minnesota.

Greg Kajewski


Programs: Wales, Hull-England, CAPA programs
Class: Sophomore
Major: Accounting
Study Abroad Experience: Studied at the University of Hull in England in the Spring of 2008.
Favorite Hobbies:Traveling, Biking, Reading, Playing Football, Basketball, Being on the water, and Hanging out with family and friends.






Justina Kotek


Programs: Chile, Peru-summer, AmeroSpan, Spanish speaking programs
Class: Senior
Major: Psychology and Spanish
Study Abroad Experience: Last summer I traveled to Arica, Chile where I studied for eight weeks.
Favorite Food in Chile: Empanadas de Queso and Pure
Unique Fact about me: I am a twin!

Michael Lalor


Programs: Poland, Romania, Prague-summer, Russia, Greece, ISA
Class: Senior
Major: History & Humanities
Study Abroad Experience: Studied at Uniwersytet Jagiellonski in Krakow, Poland.
Favorite Activities Abroad: Travelling. Before and during the semester I travelled from Krakow to places like Belgrade, Serbia; Kotor, Montenegro; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Kiev, Ukraine; Veliko Turnovo, Bulgaria; Prague, Czech Republic; and Istanbul, Turkey. Wanderlust and the love of exciting cultures pushed me into all my adventures.

Melanie Olson


Programs: Australia, Australearn programs, Study Australia programs
Class: Senior
Major: Textiles & Apparel and Marketing
Study Abroad Experience: Studied in Newcastle, Australia during the Spring '08 semester.
Thoughts on experience: Melanie had an amazing time experiencing new and different things and meeting great friends. While there she also had the opportunity to travel to Fiji and New Zealand and developed a great love for traveling.



Jacqueline Pereira da Silva Gouveia


Programs: Brazil, various summer programs
Class: Graduate Student
About me: I am from Brazil and I am the graduate assistant in the Study Abroad Center. I have a great time here at UNI and I am a big fan of the PANTHERS!




Angela Ross


Programs: Wales, SFS programs, AIU programs
Class: Junior
Major: English and Business
Study Abroad Experience: Studied abroad in the UK at Swansea University during the 2008 spring semester.





Liv Sommerlot


Programs: Japan
Class: Senior
Major: Studio Art
Study Abroad Experience: Studied at Kansai Gaidai University in Hirakata City, Japan
Favorite Memories Abroad: Going karaoke-ing with friends, joining the archery club, eating okonomiyaki and dango, speaking Kansai-ben.


Natalie Tendall


Programs: Austria, Denmark, Germany, China-summer camp, AIFS
Class: Junior
Major: Elementary Education
Study Abroad Experience: Travelled to Klagenfurt, Austria in the Spring of 2008 and then flew straight to China to teach English for a month at a summer camp.
Favorite Activities Abroad: White water rafting and skiing in the Alps in Austria; Climbing the Great Wall and eating white rice every day in China!