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!

Chelsea Anderson

Chealsa Andersen

Major: speech and hearing science

Studied on: TEAN Australia: Bond University

Lived in: Residence hall/dormitory 
Scholarships and grants received: Need-based Grant

Happy to answer questions on:

Applying for study abroad scholarships, planning independent travel, navigating cultural differences, making new friends, using public transportation

How to contact Chealsa:

Email: chealsandersen@uiowa.edu 
Instagram: Cheal_saandersen

Sophia Caronis

Sophia Caronis

Major: health studies (pre-medicine) | Minor: business administration

Studied on: IES London: Study London in the United Kingdom
Lived in: residence hall/dormitory

Happy to answer questions on:

planning independent travel, understanding personal identity abroad, making new friends, using public transportation

How to contact Sophia:

Email: scaronis211@gmail.com 
Instagram: sophia.caronis

Berkley Barnett

Berkley Barnett

MajoInternational Studies | Minor: Arabic studies | Writing certificate

Studied on: CIEE Kyoto Summer Ancient & Modern Japan; SIT Jordan Refugees, Health, and Humanitarian Action
Lived in: Apartment, Homestay 
Scholarship and grants received: Global Access Ambassador Scholarship (previously Diversity Ambassador Scholarship), Merit-based Scholarship

Happy to answer questions on:

Applying for study abroad scholarships, living with a host family, navigating cultural differences, building foreign language proficiency

How to contact Berkley:

Email: bwbarnett@uiowa.edu 

Koro Castillo

Koro Castillo

Majors: Spanish, French, Latin American studies

Studied on: CIEE Sevilla Advanced Liberal Arts; USAC San Sebastián  
Lived in: Homestay  
Scholarship and grants received: Merit-based Scholarship

Happy to answer questions on:

applying for study abroad scholarships, planning independent travel, living with a host family, understanding personal identity abroad, making new friends, using public transportation, building foreign language proficiency

How to contact Koro:

Email: koro-castillo@uiowa.edu 
Instagram: korocastillo

Richelle Fenteng sitting at table with pink orchids in vase

Richelle Fenteng

Major: international relations; finance

Studied on: Wells College in Florence: Lorenzo de Medici in Italy 
Lived in: apartment 
Scholarships and grants received: Merit-based Scholarship, Need-based Grant, A. Morse Scholarship

Happy to answer questions on:

applying for study abroad scholarships, budgeting while abroad, navigating cultural differences, understanding personal identity abroad, making new friends, building foreign language proficiency

How to contact Richelle:

Email: richelle-fenteng@uiowa.edu 
Instagram: rome.ing_richelle

Matthew Kawa in Spain

Matthew Kawa

Major: Chemical Engineering

Studied on: USAC Valencia Program
Lived in: Residence Hall/Dorm 

Happy to answer questions on: 

Budgeting while abroad, navigating cultural differences, understanding personal identity abroad, making new friends, using public transportation

How to contact Matthew:

Email: matthew-kawa@uiowa.edu 

Instagram: matthew_kawa

Sean Keene standing in front of pyramid

Sean Keene

Political Science, Broadcast Journalism, Spanish

Studied on: Iowa Hispanic Institute in Valladolid, Spain, USAC Santiago in Chile, & American University of Paris Summer Journalism Seminar
Lived in: Apartment, Residence hall, and Homestay
Scholarships and grants received: Merit-based Scholarship

Happy to answer questions about:

Planning independent travel, living with a host family, navigating cultural differences, making new friends, using public transportation, building foreign language proficiency

How to contact Sean:

Email: sean-keene@uiowa.edu
Instagram: seankeeneofficial

Nikhil Krishnan

Nikhil Krishnan

Major: geography (GIS)

Studied on: CIEE Madrid Open Campus in Spain 
Lived in: residence hall/dormitory

Happy to answer questions on:

planning independent travel, navigating cultural differences, understanding personal identity abroad, using public transportation

How to contact Nikhil:

Email: nikhil-krishnan@uiowa.edu 
Instagram: nikhil_k0921

Anna Larson

Anna Larson

Major: civil engineering | Certificate: writing

Studied on: USAC Valencia 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

How to contact Anna:

Email: anna-larson@uiowa.edu

Sofia Maestas

Sofia Maestas

Major: communications | Minor: human relations

Interned for: MG Motors in Syndey, Australia
Lived in: apartment, homestay 

Happy to answer questions on:

budgeting while abroad, planning independent travel, navigating cultural differences, understanding personal identity abroad, using public transportation, internships abroad

How to contact Sofia:

Email: maestas@uiowa.edu 
Instagram: sofiaamaestas

Jack McIntyre

Jack McIntyre

Majors: computer science; engineering

Studied on: TEAN New Zealand: University of Otago
Lived in: an apartment

Happy to answer questions on:

budgeting while abroad, planning independent travel, making new friends

How to contact Jack:

Email: jack.c.mac@gmail.com 

Mia Terra standing with hills, blue sky, and water in background

Mia Terry

Major: social work | Minor: psychology and human relations | Certificate: resilience and trauma-informed perspectives

Studied on: Iowa Regents in Australia: University of Tasmania
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

How to contact Mia:

Email: miaterry@uiowa.edu 
Instagram: miaaterryy

Kenna Wolbers

Kenna Wolbers

Major: English and creative writing

Studied on: IES Dublin Writers Program in Ireland
Lived in: apartment

Happy to answer questions about:

budgeting while abroad, planning independent travel, navigating cultural differences, understanding personal identity abroad, making new friends, using public transportation

How to contact Nora:

Email: kwolbers@uiowa.edu