Global Ambassador Program

Alexandra Couoh

Major: Linguistics, College of Liberal Arts

Program: Ancient Greece in Situ in Athens, Heraklion, Crete, Nafplio, Corinth; Greece

I’m from Cypress, Texas, and in my first year of college, majoring in linguistics with a minor in classical civilization. From childhood, history has always been a passion of mine, so when I saw this program being offered, I knew I had to do it! What I’m most excited about is finally being able to visit and see all these famous locations and statues, which I thought I would only ever see in pictures. As a first-generation student, I’m grateful for the opportunity to study abroad and share my story with fellow Longhorns!

Allison Bedwell

Major: Behavioral and Social Data Science and Plan II Honors, College of Liberal Arts

Program: Turkey: Ottoman State and Society in Istanbul, Turkey

I’m a rising sophomore from Dallas, Texas studying behavioral and social Data Science and plan II honors. This May, I'm studying the Ottoman Empire in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. I’m excited to travel to a new place, eat delicious food, and meet diverse people! Studying abroad has been a dream of mine since coming to UT, and I think traveling in May is a perfect first step. I can’t wait to share my experience abroad and inspire others to do the same!

Amanda Morley

Major: Journalism, Moody College of Communication

Program: Documentary Photography Storytelling in Dublin, Ireland

I’m a rising senior from the center of Dallas, Texas. I will be producing a photo-documentary during May Term 2026, focused on film culture in Dublin, Ireland. While I’ve always wanted to travel the world as a journalist, I never had that chance until now. And, given the opportunity to travel across Ireland in search of a story, I’m excited to take the next step as a scholar and discover something new!

Amelia Mary Wilkinson

Major: Government, College of Liberal Arts

Program: Social Change: A Critical International Perspective in London, England

I'm a government major and pre-law student at UT Austin with a strong passion for law, advocacy, and public service. Originally from England, I'm excited to study abroad because it gives me the opportunity to reconnect with my roots and gain a deeper understanding of where I'm from. I was drawn to this program because of the chance to experience different cultures while also learning more about my own background and identity. Through this experience, I hope to grow both academically and personally while sharing my journey with the Longhorn community.

Camren Morgan

Major: Psychology, College of Liberal Arts

Program: AIFS Abroad: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, International Business and Spanish Culture in Barcelona, Spain

I'm a second-year student at UT studying Psychology with a minor in risk management. I will be participating in the AIFS International Business and Spanish Culture program in Barcelona this May. I'm also a recipient of the Gilman Scholarship, which has made this opportunity possible for me. Through my experience abroad, I hope to share authentic insights into both academic and cultural life while encouraging other students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, to pursue global opportunities.

Caris Gray

Major: Anthropology, Government and Philosophy, College of Liberal Arts

Program: Social Change: A Critical International Perspective in London, England

I’m an upcoming senior anthropology, government, and philosophy triple major from Baytown, Texas I chose the Social Change: A Critical International Perspective program because I want to work in the UK as an attorney, and understanding the British welfare state, social work practice, and efforts to address social injustice is crucial for preparing me for that profession. I'm excited to delve deeper into the complex nature of privilege and inequity, especially through a program that truly utilizes hands-on learning and interdisciplinary curriculum!

Cecilia Li

Major: Health & Society, College of Liberal Arts

Program: AIFS Abroad: Comparative Healthcare in London, England, Barcelona, Spain, and Florence, Italy

Ciara Burns

Major: Psychology, College of Liberal Arts

Program: A Cognitive Neuroscience Immersion in Geneva, Switzerland

I'm a junior majoring in psychology, born and raised in Austin, Texas. Studying abroad has long been an ambition of mine, and this summer I’m excited to bring it to life in Switzerland. As a lover of hiking, dynamic food scenes, and unique experiences, the geographical and intellectual hub of Geneva seemed like the perfect mix of academic rigor and new adventures. I can’t wait to see what this program has in store for me, and I look forward to sharing my journey with the Longhorn community!

Elizabeth Pompa

Major: International Relations and Global Studies, College of Liberal Arts

Program: Multiculturalism in Jordan in Amman, Jordan

I’m an international relations and global studies major with a minor in Arabic from Austin, Texas. As part of my degree plan, I’ve chosen the Middle East and North Africa as my area of study, so studying abroad in Morocco this May felt like a natural fit. I was drawn to this program because I want my academic interests to go beyond the classroom. Having never traveled outside of the Americas, this experience is an opportunity for me to engage directly with the cultures, languages, and everyday realities of the region I’ve been studying. Morocco’s deep historical roots and cultural richness make it an especially exciting place to learn in a more immersive and meaningful way. As a first-generation college student, this journey also holds personal significance. While I was raised in Austin, my family is from a small town, where many have never heard of Morocco before. Being able to take this step means a lot not only for me, but for my family as well. I’m excited to grow academically and personally, practice Arabic in a real-world setting, and share these experiences along the way.

Emmanuella Okafor

Major: Psychology, College of Liberal Arts

Program: AIFS Abroad: Comparative Healthcare in London, England, Barcelona, Spain, and Florence, Italy

Federica Vives

Major: Business, McCombs School of Business

Program: International Marketing in Barcelona, Spain

I’m a freshman business major from Houston, Texas, originally from Argentina. I've always loved traveling and experiencing new cultures, which is why I was really excited about the opportunity to study abroad. This May Term, I’ll be studying international marketing in Barcelona, where I’m excited to immerse myself in Spanish culture and explore the city beyond the classroom. I was especially drawn to this program because of Barcelona’s global business environment, vibrant culture, and its connection to my own background. I’m looking forward to sharing my experience and inspiring other UT students to study abroad!

Franchesca Untalan

Major: Computer Science Honors, College of Natural Sciences, Canfield Business Honors, McCombs School of Business

Program: Sustainable Fashion in Copenhagen, Denmark

Harley Shehane

Major: Speech, Language, & Hearing Sciences, Moody College of Communication

Program: Exploring the History of American and French Sign Languages in Paris, Lyon; France

I'm a junior speech pathology major with a minor in American Sign Language, and I'm so excited to travel outside of the U.S. for the first time! I'm from Copperas Cove, Texas, which is a small town about an hour north of Austin. I'm attending a May Term program in France where I will experience the French Deaf community, take lessons on French Sign Language, and engage with local Deaf culture. I picked this program because it will allow me to gain a new global perspective that will help me grow personally and academically!

Kaeli Kampschmidt

Major: Neuroscience, College of Natural Sciences

Program: Global Health Innovation in Thailand in Chiang Mai, Thailand

I’m a rising senior neuroscience major from Albuquerque, New Mexico, spending the May Term in Chiang Mai, Thailand studying biomedical engineering. As a pre-med student, this opportunity allows me to explore healthcare from a global perspective while pursuing my academic interests. I’m excited to experience a new culture, learn how Thailand approaches medicine, and reflect on how these insights will shape my future in healthcare.

Kamin Katherine Klieopatinon

Major: Nutrition, College of Natural Science

Program: From Prehistory to the Present: The Mediterranean Diet in Sicily, Italy

I’m an upcoming junior majoring in nutrition with a certificate in food and society. I’m originally from Bangkok, Thailand, but my family and I moved to Lubbock, Texas a few years ago. This May, I’ll be traveling to Sicily, Italy, to study the Mediterranean diet through both nutrition and classical perspectives. I’ve always been interested in how food connects people, culture, and history, so I’m excited for the opportunity to explore how food can help us better understand human traditions and identity. I look forward to inspiring other Longhorns and sharing my journey abroad with you all through the global ambassador program!

Katie Roy

Major: Communication Studies, Moody College of Communication

Program: The Politics of Protecting the Great Barrier Reef in Townsville, Australia

I'm from right here in Austin, Texas! I'm currently majoring in corporate communications with a minor in professional sales and business development. I'm super excited to have the opportunity to do a May Term program in Australia staying on the Great Barrier Reef! I was drawn to this program not only because of the incredible location and lifelong memories, but for the chance to learn more about how different industries affect the reef and what international businesses can do to help our environment. Hook ’Em

Lujein Abdelwahed

Major: Public Health, College of Natural Sciences, School of Human Ecology

Program: Multiculturalism in Jordan in Amman, Jordan

I'm a junior majoring in public health with a minor in Arabic and I'm from College Station, Texas! This May, I'll be studying abroad in Morocco where, alongside the class I’m taking on multiculturalism in Morocco, I'll be conducting thesis research on the impact of religion on public health initiatives. I was drawn to this program because it sits at the middle of everything, I'm passionate about including culture, language, and health equity on a global scale. Morocco's rich Islamic tradition and diverse cultural landscape make it the perfect place to explore these questions firsthand. I'm so excited to immerse myself within these communities and share this journey with the Longhorn community!

Mariana Ontiveros

Major: Kinesiology and Health, College of Education

Program: Exercise and Sport for Health, Fitness, and Performance in Athens, Olympia; Greece

I'm a second-year kinesiology student from Eagle Pass, Texas. As a first-generation student, studying abroad has always been a dream of mine and I'm thrilled to have this opportunity through this program. It stood out to me because of its hands-on approach to the historical, cultural, and scientific aspects of exercise and health, offering a rare chance to see how ancient traditions influence modern exercise science. I can’t wait to explore different Greek cities, visit iconic landmarks, and connect with local culture through our planned excursions. I’m excited to share my journey with the UT community and hope to inspire fellow Longhorns to study abroad!

Maris Bouche

Major: History, College of Liberal Arts

Program: Past, Present, and Future of the Transatlantic Alliance at King's College London in London, England

I’m a junior majoring in History and pursuing a certificate through the Bridging Disciplines Program in Ethics & Leadership in Law, Politics & Government. Growing up in Houston, Texas, I have always valued diverse and intercultural environments as an important part of my personal and academic development. This passion led me to study abroad through the Clements Center for National Security, where I hope to deepen my cultural competency while exploring wartime and national security histories that complement both my studies and my aspirations of becoming a lawyer.

What excites me most about this program is its experiential component, which will allow me to engage directly with the history I am studying through opportunities such as attending the Flag Raising Ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery and exploring the Dover Castle Wartime Tunnels, among many other historic sites. As a first-generation college student, choosing to study abroad felt far from reach, but taking the leap has been the most enriching part of my academic journey thus far!

Mehana Ondreyka

Major: International Relations and Global Studies, College of Liberal Arts

Program: Exploring the History of American and French Sign Languages in Paris, Lyon; France

I'm a fourth-year international relations and global studies major, loving life in Austin and originating from The Colony, Texas. I'm thrilled to spend the month of May travelling France exploring the history of American and French sign languages with UT's incredible ASL department. This program intersects my academic passions for global affairs and American Sign Language and presents the unique opportunity to immerse myself in sign language alongside my peers. In my free time, I love crafting and trying new food with friends. Upon my return, I'm counting down the days until I can root for my one true love, Texas Football. Hook ‘em!

Meredith E. Buchhorn

Major: Architecture, School of Architecture

Program: Critical Works of Modern and Emergent European Architecture in Copenhagen, Denmark

I'm a junior majoring in architecture and architectural engineering from Dallas, Texas. As a lifelong Texan and Longhorn, I’m excited to step outside my usual environment and experience the cultures of Denmark and Switzerland this summer. Through my program, I’m learning how to capture architecture across different mediums, and I’m looking forward to exploring and documenting the unique built environments of both countries and their neighboring regions!

Mia Vera

Major: Government, College of Liberal Arts

Program: The Politics of Protecting the Great Barrier Reef in Townsville, Australia

I’m a third-year government student with a minor in international business. I’ve always been interested in politics and how it shapes everyday life, which is what drew me to this program. I was especially curious about how the government works to protect the Great Barrier Reef and how those policies are put into practice. Australia also stood out to me as a less traditional study abroad destination, and I’m excited to experience a new culture and environment. I’m really looking forward to going abroad and sharing that experience along the way.

Rachel Crandall

Major: Nursing, School of Nursing

Program: Latinx Identities Across España in Barcelona, Madrid, Granada; Spain

I’m an upcoming sophomore from Denton, Texas. This May, I’m participating in the “Latinx Identities Across España” program in Spain…