Study Abroad Peer Mentors are a group of undergraduate student volunteers that have studied abroad during their time at the University of Iowa. All peer mentors have unique skills and experiences that you, as a prospective study abroad student, can draw upon.
Feel free to contact them through their preferred communication channels below.
Please note that while peer mentors can provide information on their experiences, they may not be able to answer all your questions. You can always reach out to study-abroad@uiowa.edu for additional information.
Have you already studied abroad? If you'd like to be a peer mentor, apply here!
Ayah ElGaddal
Studied at: Lancaster University in the United Kingdom
Lived in: a residence hall
Scholarships and grants received: Global Access Ambassador Scholarship, Merit-based Scholarship, Need-based Grant, Gilman Scholarship
Happy to answer questions about:
- applying for study abroad scholarships
- budgeting while abroad
- planning independent travel
- navigating cultural differences
- understanding personal identity abroad
- making new friends
- using public transportation
"My favorite experience definitely has to be walking back every Thursday from Halaqa (Islamic Session) with my friends and stopping by a corner store every time while talking about our experiences."
How to contact Ayah:
Email: elgddl@uiowa.edu
Instagram: @ayahelgaddal
Nora Engstrom
Studied on: the Lancaster University Exchange program in the United Kingdom
Lived in: a residence hall
Happy to answer questions about:
- budgeting while abroad
- planning independent travel
- navigating cultural differences
- understanding personal identity abroad
- making new friends
- using public transportation
"I took 3 courses, 2 in psychology and 1 in criminology...I was able to travel a lot...I loved the nights out on the town with friends and the clubs I joined. Because school is more independent, I was able to control how much time I spent with the material, and I got more free time to spend with new friends I made. Campus was fairly isolated, but had a grocery shop, several food places and a drug store in a central location, which made student accommodation very convenient, so Lancaster University itself was a wonderful place to pick."
How to contact Nora:
Email: nengstrom@uiowa.edu
Instagram: @noraeggstrom
Abby Fowler
Studied on: the CIEE Copenhagen program in Denmark, and in Okayama City, Japan as a Critical Language Scholarship awardee
Lived in: a residence hall for both experiences
Scholarships and grants received: Global Access Ambassador Scholarship, Critical Language Scholarship
Happy to answer questions about:
- applying for study abroad scholarships
- planning independent travel
- navigating cultural differences
- making new friends
- using public transportation
- building foreign language proficiency
"Being immersed in Japanese language and culture was the experience of a lifetime. The highlight of my trip was all of the amazing friends I made, both American and Japanese, who I got to travel around the country with. Now knowing how far my language abilities can take me, I feel much more confident in and committed to my learning."
How to contact Abby:
Email: abigail-fowler@uiowa.edu
Bella Goldstein
Studied on: the Iowa Regents in Ireland Program in Cork, Ireland
Lived in: residence hall/dormitory
Happy to answer questions on:
- budgeting while abroad
- planning independent travel
- navigating cultural differences
- understanding personal identity abroad
- making new friends
- using public transportation
"I studied mostly social work and criminal justice classes. I also travelled to four other countries while in Ireland and became very familiar with public transportation around Europe. On a daily basis I could be found visiting a new bakery in Cork City, going to class and taking a bus to a nearby hiking spot. Because I lived in a dorm specifically for international students, I made friends from the Netherlands, Denmark, Singapore, and lots of other places. It was a great experience to get to branch out of my comfort zone a bit. I ate tons of good food, heard awesome music and saw gorgeous sites all over Ireland, like the Gap of Dunloe and Cliffs of Moher."
How to contact Bella:
Email: isabella-goldstein@uiowa.edu
Instagram: @bellag0ld
Antoinette Goodrich
Studied on: the USAC Montevideo program in Uruguay
Lived in: a homestay
Scholarships and grants received: Global Access Ambassador Scholarship, Merit-based Scholarship, Drs. Michael L. and Darlene M. McNulty Scholarship, Genevieve Davis Searle Scholarship
Happy to answer questions about:
- applying for study abroad scholarships
- planning independent travel
- living with a host family
- navigating cultural differences
- using public transportation
- building foreign language proficiency
"Montevideo, Uruguay is a city that is considered fairly small, especially by Latin American standards, but there was always something to do or a close-by bus station where you could buy a ticket to take weekend trips up and down the coast or to Buenos Aires. On a daily basis, my favorite thing to do was to check out various cafes around the city, though I must say by the end the one that had my heart was Barú. The fall break and spring break trips that were planned by the program directors at our study abroad location were wonderful and facilitated bonding amongst the students that deepened friendships."
How to contact Antoinette:
Gabriela Konopka
Studied on: the Wells College program in Florence, Italy
Lived in: an apartment
Scholarships and grants received: Merit-based Scholarship
Happy to answer questions about:
- applying for study abroad scholarships
- budgeting while abroad
- planning independent travel
- navigating cultural differences
- understanding personal identity abroad
- making new friends
- using public transportation
"I studied finance, Italian, international business negotiations, the impact of the holocaust in Italy, and cooking. My favorite memory every week was my cooking class. I was able to learn a lot about the culture of food in Italy and improved my technical cooking abilities. I also enjoyed taking weekend trips throughout Italy as well as through Europe!"
How to contact Gabriela:
Email: gabriela-konopka@uiowa.edu
Anna Larson
Studied on: the USAC Valencia program in Spain
Lived in: an apartment
Scholarships and grants received: Merit-based Scholarship
Happy to answer questions on:
- applying for study abroad scholarships
- budgeting while abroad
- planning independent travel
- navigating cultural differences
- making new friends
- using public transportation
"I took engineering classes while abroad, and during my semester I visited London, Rome, Paris, Amsterdam, and several smaller cities in Spain. On a daily basis I took public transportation, bought myself food at markets, cooked for myself or tried new foods at restaurants, conversed in Spanish, and lived a pretty standard life of a Spanish college student. I would say the most unique aspect of my experience was that I still was taking rigorous courses while abroad, whereas many other students can take gen eds or easier college classes during their semester abroad."
How to contact Anna:
Email: anna-larson@uiowa.edu
Jack McIntyre
Studied on: TEAN University of Otago program in New Zealand
Lived in: an apartment
Happy to answer questions on:
- budgeting while abroad
- planning independent travel
- making new friends
"I studied Computer Science & Engineering during my semester abroad in New Zealand. Some of my favorite experiences there were sea kayaking in Milford Sound, hiking near the base of Aoraki/Mt. Cook, and touring Hobbiton. I also joined the ultimate frisbee team at the University of Otago while there, which was a key part of my experience that helped me to see more of the culture and make friends with Kiwis, not just other study abroad students."
How to contact Jack:
Email: jack.c.mac@gmail.com
Anna Neslund
Studied on: the IES European Union program in Germany
Lived in: an apartment
Happy to answer questions about:
- budgeting while abroad
- planning independent travel
- navigating cultural differences
- making new friends
- using public transportation
"As a political science major studying abroad in Freiburg in the EU program was such a great experience for me. It allowed me to still take political science classes I needed for my major but have new options that aren't offered at Iowa. I also got real life experience that helped me to better understand politics outside of the U.S., which is not always covered in classes in the U.S. A unique experience that I had with this program was being able to go to the European Parliament in Strasbourg. We were able to meet with officials and even sit in on a parliament meeting and debate happening."
How to contact Anna:
Email: aneslund@uiowa.edu
Instagram: annaneslund_
Maddie Phillips
Studied on: the IES London program in England
Lived in: an apartment
Scholarships and grants received: Merit-based Scholarship
Happy to answer questions on:
- planning independent travel
- making new friends
- using public transportation
"I took classes primarily for my international studies major but also took a course for my history major and human rights certificate. My favorite thing I did was get together on a weekly basis after lecture with my two British friends from one of my lectures and another friend who was a U.S. study abroad student. I went on all of the IES-organized UK trips to discover more of the UK."
How to contact Maddie:
Email: madeline-phillips@uiowa.edu
Instagram: madeline.phillips21