Peer Advisers

Peer advisers are current SU students who have already fulfilled their GO requirement and who have agreed to serve as advisers for prospective study away students. They are an invaluable resource to students—providing insight into study abroad by sharing their experience and suggestions, and answering any questions that students may have regarding program selection, application, or anything else study-away related! 

Peer advisers offer a student perspective on study away by holding open office hours for advising at the Office of Cross-Cultural Programs in Hassinger Hall, conducting information sessions, and attending other events throughout the semester.

Meet our peer advisers for fall 2012!   

Christine Bender is a junior communications major from Amityville, N.Y.  In the fall of 2012 she studied in Gold Coast, Australia, through IFSA-Butler. On campus she is involved with Woman's tennis, Zeta Tau Alpha and WQSU.

Michelle Coles is a senior creative writing major with a minor in and business administration from South Burlington, Vt. In the spring of 2011, she studied with the SU in London: Regent's College and while there traveled to five countries. On campus, she's part of Sigma Alpha Iota, Forum of Undergraduate Student Editors (FUSE), SU Swings, Passport International and is a peer adviser for the Office of Cross-Cultural Programs.

Brittany Devlin is a junior communications major with a public relations emphasis and a minor in advertising from Doylestown, Pa.  In the fall of 2012 she studied with SU in London: Regent's College and while there visited five other countries. On campus she's involved with softball and the Student Athletic Advisory Committee.

Sarah Dunbar is a senior double major in communications and Spanish from Saco, Maine.  In the Spring of 2012 she studied in Alicante, Spain with CC-CS and visited four other countries while there.  On campus she's involved with Alpha Phi Omega, SU womens rugby, PRSSA, and Senior Friends.

Jacob Farrell is a junior communications journalism major with a double minor in photography and film studies from Downingtown, Pa. In the fall of 2012 he studied in Legon, Ghana, through CIEE and while there visited Togo. On campus he is involved with men's lacrosse, The Crusader and Phi Mu Delta.

Katherine Ford is a senior theatre production and design major with a business administration minor. She is originally from Highland Mills, N.Y.  Katie studied abroad in Aix-en-Provence, France, in the spring of 2011 and then promptly left for the GO Prague trip in June 2011.  Her favorite part about studying abroad was meeting new people from all over the world, and of course the baguette and Nutella lunches in the park with her French host-dog, Pepito!

Dylan Furlano is a junior creative writing and economics double major with a minor in Jewish studies from Avondale, Pa.  In the fall of 2012 she studied in Warsaw, Poland, through CIEE and while there visited three other countries.  On campus she is involved with Alpha Phi Omega, Zeta Tau Alpha, Student Government Association and SU Dance Corps.

Hannah Jones is a junior public relations major from Lewisburg, Pa.  In the fall of 2012 she studied in Cape Town, South Africa, through Arcadia.

Abbey Masiello is a junior business: finance major with a minor in Spanish from Rochester, N.Y.  In the fall of 2012 she studied in Sevilla, Spain, through CC-CS and while there she visited six countries.  On campus she is a women's lacrosse player, SAAC member and SU FACT mentor.

Katelyn Mays is a junior finance major with a double minor in philosophy and Spanish from Holland, Pa.  In the fall of 2012 she studied in Dublin, Ireland, through CIEE and while there she visited six other countries. On campus she is part of Alpha Delta Pi and the swim team.

Joel Murphy is a junior business: finance major from Brooklyn, N.Y.  In the fall of 2012 he studied with SU in London: Regent's College and while there visited three other countries. On campus he is involved with Students in Free Enterprise, SU Republicans, Intervarsity and men's lacrosse.

Kasey Ritz is a junior business:marketing major from Clementon, N.J.  In the fall of 2012 he studied with SU in London: Regent's College and while there visited three other countries.  On campus he is involved with Students in Free Enterprise and Track and Field.

Karina Roman is a junior double major in communications and Spanish. She is originally from Reading, Pa. In the fall of 2012 she had a life changing experience by studying abroad in Heredia, Costa Rica through IFSA-Butler. She also has experience traveling to The Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. On campus she is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., the Black Student Union, PRSSA and is an IFSA-Butler ambassador.

Nick Roman is a junior with a self-designed major in human and environmental interactions with a minor in French form Newport, Pa.  During the summer of 2012 he participated in the GO Short program Navajo Nation. On campus he is involved with Phi Mu Delta and the Club Ultimate Frisbee Team.

Carmen Ortez is a junior spanish major with a psychology minor from Elizabeth, N.J. In the fall of 2012 she studied in Heredia, Costa Rica through IFSA-Butler. On campus she is involved in Sigma Gamma Rho, Inc., Black Student Union, Hearts for Homeless, Support U and Charity: Water.

Alicia Sornson is a sophomore international studies major from Brighton, Mich. In the fall of 2012 she studied in Sydney, Australia, through IFSA-Butler and while there visited one other country.  On campus she is involved with Lutheran Student Movement, International Club, Student Government Association, Passport International, Tuesday Night Watch and Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship.

Kayla Springer is a senior psychology major, minoring in biology and health care studies. She is from Kennett Square, Pa., and spent the fall 2011 semester in Rome, Italy, through Temple University. On campus, Kayla is a member of Susquehanna Dance Corps and Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity.

Elise Tomaszewski is a junior creative writing major with a minor in German from Selinsgrove, Pa.  In the fall of 2012 she studied in Berlin, Germany, through CIEE and while there visited two other countries.  On campus she is a student manager at Blough-Weis Library and is a part of Hillel and WomenSpeak.

Whitney Walsh is a junior psychology major with a sociology minor from Ambler, Pa.  In the fall of 2012 she studied in Nicosia, Cyprus, through GLS and visited Germany. On campus she is an resident assistant as well as involved with Psychology Club, Charity: Water Club and APO.

Advice and words of wisdom from our current and past peer advisers!

"During my time here at Susquehanna, I had two opportunities to travel abroad. My sophomore year, I traveled to the Philippines through the PLUS Program here as a GO Short Program. It was a service-learning trip that changed my life forever. The people I met will always be a part of who I am.

In the fall of my junior year I traveled to Valencia, Spain, for a semester. I immediately fell in love with the city, culture, food and language of the city, and it soon became my second home. The relationships you make with people who go abroad with you will be the strongest relationships you will ever have in life.

Both experiences abroad were highlights of my college career, and they make me a part of who I am. I am thankful I had these opportunities because now I can truly say that I've found myself, and I know for a fact I will want to travel for the rest of my life.

What surprised me most about my experience was the fact that I became fluent in Spanish. I really didn't think I would, but because I was speaking it every hour of every day to my family, friends and in class, I was learning a lot more than I thought I was

My favorite part of studying abroad was learning about who I was and realizing that I was a lot more independent than I thought. Being abroad opens your eyes to new cultures and experiences that you will carry with you for the rest of your life. It will change your life forever."

- Sarah Johnson '12

"Going on the HRT trip, and getting the chance to combine travel and service work, was one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had. The trip has made me much more aware of natural disasters and recovery efforts, particularly here in the United States.

The semester I spent in Paris completely changed my life and who am I as a person. Besides traveling, meeting new people and improving my French language skills, my study abroad experience helped me grow as a person, gain an international perspective and has even influenced what I want to do after I graduate. Being able to study and live in a foreign country for a whole semester was a once in a lifetime experience!"

- Regina Koyfman '12

"My favorite part of studying abroad was being able to experience something completely new every day. I spent a lot of time hiking and exploring the area around my campus. I made a point to go somewhere new every weekend, whether it meant taking a train south into England, going to a new town or trying a Scottish dish. I didn't have class on Friday, so I would usually look at the map and pick a random small town to travel to for the afternoon. I loved the feeling of discovery.

What surprised me most about my experience was how much confidence I gained over just a few months. I had never taken public transport alone, but by June, I was taking a solo trip (which involved a bus, a six-hour train ride, and navigating the London underground) to southern England by myself. Learning how to take care of myself abroad and knowing that I could function in an unfamiliar country gave me this feeling that I could do anything."

- Dana Diehl '12

"I took my GO experience to Gold Coast, Australia, at Griffith University. Griffith is located three miles from the beach and is surrounded by some incredible cities and suburbs such as the city of Brisbane, Sufers Paradise and Coolangatta (Cooli). When deciding on my GO Program, I evaluated my values and interests and connected it with the best program. As a biology major, Australia offers some explicit sites in the biology fields such as the Great Barrier Reef, various rain forests such as Cape Tribulation, and beautiful beaches that provide great surfing! Living in the Gold Coast for almost half a year, I became part of the community and learned many of their customs. My departure ended in emotional goodbyes with my Aussie friends that are still and will always be some of my best friends. I still stay in touch with them and plan to make trips back in order to remember my amazing experience and see my old friends."

-Andrew Torok '12