For these students, study abroad helped launch their next chapters

For most Hokies who study abroad, their first guides to the world are other students: a peer advisor from the Global Education Office. These student ambassadors — chosen through a competitive application process — are trained to help their peers explore program options, navigate application steps, and prepare for departure.

Each year, four returning study abroad students are selected to serve as peer advisors. They lead info sessions, meet one-on-one with other students, and share their own stories to encourage others to step outside their comfort zones.

“Hearing the way our peer advisors speak about their time abroad and seeing them serve their communities with passion and excitement is proof of the transformative power of global education,” said Katherine Burnam, who oversees the program. “Working with them this past year, I have been constantly impressed with all the ways that their intercultural experiences have bolstered their skills and informed their perspectives. They are more than equipped to meet and then excel at everything life has in store for them.”

This year’s peer advisors have done more than help others prepare for adventure — they’re setting off on new journeys of their own. All four are graduating seniors with impressive postcollege plans:

• Nathan Brown, a finance major in the Pamplin College of Business, is moving to Budapest to teach English with the Boys & Girls Club of Hungary.
• Elizabeth Hill, a multimedia journalism major in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, is starting a career in corporate communications with a nuclear technology company.
• Karla Garibay, a business information technology major from Pamplin, will begin work as a technology consultant at IBM.
• Emily Bastida, who majored in management consulting and analytics in Pamplin, has been offered a job as a risk consultant at Ernst and Young, one of the world’s leading professional services firms.

We asked them to reflect on how studying abroad and serving as peer advisors shaped their undergraduate experience — and what’s next. 

How did studying abroad help prepare you for your next steps? 

Hill: I participated in the ISEP Direct study abroad program in Barcelona, Spain. As a Spanish minor, I was drawn to the chance to live in a Spanish-speaking country and immerse myself in the culture. Experiencing the cultural differences firsthand was eye-opening and helped me become more globally aware. Leaving everything I knew at Virginia Tech with just one suitcase and being able to live, adapt, and speak another language in a different country showed me I can do anything I set my mind to. 

Garibay: I participated in two faculty-led programs: Business and Culture in France and Global Business Perspectives. Studying abroad was a transformative part of my undergraduate journey — it opened my mind, challenged me in new ways, and helped me grow both personally and academically. It took learning beyond the classroom and gave me a new perspective on international collaboration and cultural impact.

Bastida: In 2023, I studied abroad in Prague with a Pamplin faculty-led program. Then, during the winter 2024 term, I joined another one, Business and Culture in Spain. Studying abroad allowed me to experience new cultures and languages while enhancing my resume with international experience. My self-confidence strengthened, and I learned to navigate and pivot in unforeseen circumstances.

Brown: My study abroad experiences are the reason I chose to teach English and to go to Hungary. Last summer, I interned in Karlsruhe, Germany, thanks to a partnership with Studierendenwerk Karlsruhe at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. One of my duties was to teach a weekly English class. It quickly became my favorite part of the job, and I knew I wanted to keep teaching. I earned my TEFL certification and started applying to programs abroad. I had visited Budapest during an earlier study abroad experience and loved the city — so when a job opened up, I knew I had to apply.

What did you like most about being a peer advisor?

Brown: Getting to play a small role in someone’s study abroad experience is incredibly rewarding. Whether it was answering questions, reminding people of deadlines, or just reassuring students, I was helping them take a big step. A lot of people say studying abroad is one of the most amazing things they’ve ever done. It’s pretty cool to get to play a small part in that.

Bastida: One of the most meaningful parts was seeing the same students I first met during consultations show up for pre-flight orientation, excited and ready to go. A few times, I’ve even run into them on campus afterward — they’ll stop me to share stories about their experiences. I will miss engaging with this community.

Garibay: Being a peer advisor gave me the opportunity to make a difference in students’ lives. Helping them navigate the study abroad process and encouraging them to step outside their comfort zones was incredibly rewarding. 

Hill: It brings me joy to support students throughout the study abroad application process and to see them thrive as they embark on their dream programs. Helping others and seeing them succeed is something I find incredibly rewarding.

Thinking about studying abroad?

As these four peer advisors get ready to graduate, the Global Education Office, part of Outreach and International Affairs, is preparing a new group of students to take on the role. Drawing on their own time abroad, peer advisors offer firsthand insight, practical tips, and personalized support. Whether you’re just starting to explore your options or ready to apply, they’re here to guide you through every step of the study abroad journey.

To schedule a one-on-one advising session or to learn more about studying abroad, go to globaleducation.vt.edu.