Global Ambassadors

Major: Elementary and special education 
Studied abroad in: Limerick, Ireland at Mary Immaculate College, spring 2025
Contact Sofia

What was the most meaningful experience you had abroad? What made it so memorable? 
One of the most memorable experiences I had abroad was when I traveled around Italy for 10 days. I had gone to Rome and it was absolutely beautiful. Then I went to Florence and got to spend time with my friends who were studying there. It was so great to spend time with the people I missed so much and it was so cool to have them show me around their home base. While being in Italy I had taken day trips to Pisa and Siena and those were also so beautiful. I think getting to travel with my friends from other places was the best memory I had.  

What do you wish more people knew about the study abroad experience? 
That there is definitely a culture shock where ever you go but you get used to it so quick. It also is so normal to get homesick and wish to go home at first. I definitely had moments in the semester where I was homesick and wished I could have been with my friends in Newport. Take every moment you get to travel around. Don't hesitate. 

Why do you think Salve students should study abroad? 
Over the course of the semester I learned so much about myself that I did not know before. I got the opportunity to solo travel a lot which made me realize how independent I was. Looking back as I am about to leave I traveled to so many places that I would have never seen (Croatia, Malta, Paris, London, Krakow, Italy). I grew so much as a person even though first coming abroad can be hard you get so sad to leave at the end of the semester.

Major: Political science
Studied abroad in: London, England at St. Mary's University, spring 2026 
Contact Riley

What was the most meaningful experience you had abroad? What made it so memorable? 
The most meaningful experience I had while abroad only cost me £10. On my last day there, my friends and I decided to purchase "I Love London" T-shirts from a random stand in front of Big Ben. After that, we went on an Uber Boat ride on the River Thames, where we got to see many of the sights of central London. During the boat ride, I focused on staying present in the moment because I knew I would look back on that time in my life and feel so grateful. As I rode past Big Ben one last time, I had zero regrets about the amazing four months I spent in what is now my favorite city.

What do you wish more people knew about the study abroad experience? 
A lot of people don't study abroad because they feel like they won't be able to find a sense of routine. I had no difficulty finding a routine. I soon found my favorite walking path, coffee shop and more. Just give it time, and everything that is meant to be will fall into place. It's not going to happen during your first week. When I came back from my first weekend trip, I felt so excited to get back to my home city and return to the routine I had created for myself.

Why do you think Salve students should study abroad? 
No matter what kind of person you are, you have the opportunity to travel the world, embrace new cultures and make friends from parts of the world you never considered. Not only was it the best time of my life, but it also taught me so much about myself. I got to embrace a more flexible, carefree and fun side of myself. Overall, I think studying abroad made me a much better version of myself.

Major: Criminal justice and criminology
Studied abroad in: Granada, Spain at University of Granada, spring 2026 
Contact Mariella

What was the most meaningful experience you had abroad? What made it so memorable? 
My most meaningful experience abroad was participating in the intercambios hosted by the CLM (Centro de Lenguas Modernas) at the University of Granada. The CLM was a separate building for American students and students from outside of Spain who didn't speak fluent Spanish. Every Tuesday, the CLM hosted these gatherings at a local tapas bar, where University of Granada students and American students could meet, talk and practice each other's languages. Going into my first intercambio with a new friend I had made, Ella, we were both so nervous about communicating in Spanish. When we arrived, we received a ticket for our tapas and were seated with two Spanish students. At first, we were laughing and struggling to understand each other, but after spending more time together, we began helping each other. We taught them English while they helped us with our Spanish. This experience was so memorable because I had been very nervous about my Spanish, but the intercambios helped me gain confidence, make new friends and realize that language barriers can bring people together rather than keep them apart.

What do you wish more people knew about the study abroad experience?
I wish more people realized that studying abroad is so much more than just traveling and creating memories with the friends who come along the way. It can be challenging at first to be away from your family and friends at home and school while adjusting to a completely new environment. You have to put yourself out there, be open to meeting new people and figure things out on your own. While these challenges help you grow, they can be difficult at first. I think studying abroad is an amazing experience that pushes you out of your comfort zone and gives you the opportunity to make new memories with people from all over the world.

Why do you think Salve students should study abroad? 
It connects strongly with our school's mission of seeking wisdom and welcoming people of all beliefs and backgrounds. Living in a new country allows students to learn from different cultures, perspectives and ways of life, which helps us become more understanding and open-minded. For some students, this might be their first time out of the country, and studying abroad will push them outside of their comfort zones. I believe studying abroad will give Salve students new experiences that can help contribute to a more harmonious, just and merciful world.

Major: Political science
Studied abroad in: London, England at St. Mary's University, spring 2026 
Contact Natalia

What was the most meaningful experience you had abroad? What made it so memorable? 
The most meaningful experience I had abroad was actually a moment I had on the plane ride home, ironically. As my flight took off and we flew over London, I started to shed some tears. There was no one specific meaningful moment; studying abroad as a whole was my meaningful experience. I didn't realize how great it was or the impact it had on me until I was leaving. I started to think about how much I had grown, the people I met, the conversations I had in classrooms and how enlightening they were, and how eye-opening the entire experience was. It made the experience so memorable because I never thought I'd be able to see so many places, meet so many new people, and have this type of experience. In that moment, I realized how grateful I was for it all.

What do you wish more people knew about the study abroad experience?
How difficult it can be to adjust to the time zone and feel worlds away from your friends and family. The first month can be difficult as you try to adjust to your school schedule while also matching it with your family and friends' schedules. Sometimes, days can go by without being able to find a time to talk. You can feel very left behind, and personally, this was a struggle I faced after being so used to talking to my friends and family every day at the same time back home.

Why do you think Salve students should study abroad? 
It truly is such an amazing way to see the world, expand your horizons, learn beyond Salve's curriculum and grow as a person. Going abroad can help students become more independent, learn a lot about who they are, make new friends and spend time in a new environment separate from what they are used to. There is also no other time when a student can see so much of the world in such a short period, making for an exhilarating four months. Learning through a different curriculum can also be incredibly valuable, allowing students to connect what they experience abroad back to Salve's curriculum and our mercy mission.