Last year, I went on this program as a freshman business student. I was chosen by my program faculty to be the returning mentor to the 2026 cohort. In my role, I can provide information and guidance based on my experiences last year. I am extremely excited to travel abroad as a part of this program and experience it from a different lens. I want my involvement to contribute to a great experience for those who were chosen to go.
This time around, I hope to try even more food than I did last year and maybe try to participate in a fun experience or two that are unique to Panama. I am excited to sit in on our business meetings with several different companies and see how they compare to last year. Last year, I was nervous, but not really, so this year, because what we are doing isn’t unknown to me. I know what to expect from the days and activities. Overall, I am super excited!
I think my situation is a great example of what can happen if you pursue opportunities and put yourself out there. I almost didn’t apply for this program, but was encouraged to by a family member. I had an amazing experience abroad, formed some great relationships, and have now been lucky enough to go back again. All of this is to say that studying abroad has offered me tremendous growth, and I would highly recommend it to anyone!
