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!

Maddy Barreda standing on balcony of medieval building

Maddy Barreda

Major: psychology; criminal law and justice

Studied on: the IES Barcelona program in Spain 
Lived in: residence hall/dormitory 
Scholarships and grants received: Merit-based Scholarship, Need-based Grant

Happy to answer questions on:

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

How to contact Maddy:

Email: mbarreda@uiowa.edu

Kate Burns standing next to red phone box on London street

Kate Burns

Major: marketing | Certificate: international business

Studied on: IES London: Study London in the United Kingdom 
Lived in: apartment 
Scholarships and grants received: Global Access Ambassador Scholarship, Merit-based Scholarships

Happy to answer questions on:

applying for study abroad scholarships, budgeting while abroad, planning independent travel, understanding personal identity abroad, making new friends, using public transportation

How to contact Kate:

Email: kathryn-burns@uiowa.edu 
Instagram: _katemburns5_

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

Nora Engstrom

Nora Engstrom

Major: psychology | Minor: theatre arts

Studied on: Lancaster University Exchange 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

How to contact Nora:

Email: nengstrom@uiowa.edu
Instagram: @noraeggstrom

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

Maisey Gullickson with landscape and blue sky view behind her

Maisey Gullickson

Major: human physiology

Studied on: Iowa Regents in Ireland: University College Cork 
Lived in: apartment 
Scholarships and grants received: Need-based grant

Happy to answer questions on:

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

How to contact Maisey:

Email: magullickson@uiowa.edu 
Instagram: _mgullickson_

Samantha Hitlan standing on street

Samantha Hitlan

Majors: political science; Spanish | Certificate: human rights

Studied on: USAC Montevideo in Uruguay
Lived in: apartment 
Scholarships and grants: Merit-based Scholarship, Need-based Grant

Happy to answer questions on: 

applying for study abroad scholarships, budgeting while abroad, planning independent travel, navigating cultural differences, understanding personal identity abroad, making new friends, using public transportation, building foreign language proficiency

How to contact Samantha:

Email: sjhitlan@uiowa.edu 
Instagram: Samantha.hitlan

Gabriela Konopka

Gabriela Konopka

Majors: management; sociology | Certificate: leadership studies

Studied on: Wells College Florence: Lorenzo de Medici in 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

How to contact Gabriela:

Email: gabriela-konopka@uiowa.edu

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

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 

Molly McNeill standing in front of sea

Molly McNeill

Major: Spanish; world language secondary education

Studied on: CIEE Seville Liberal Arts Program in Spain
Lived in: homestay 
Scholarships and grants received: Need-based Grant, Gilman Scholarship

Happy to answer questions on:

applying for study abroad scholarships, budgeting while abroad, planning independent travel, living with a host family, navigating cultural differences, understanding personal identity abroad, making new friends, using public transportation, building foreign language proficiency, handling the first few weeks of being in your host country

How to contact Molly:

Email: molly-mcneill@uiowa.edu 
Instagram: mollyemcneill

Anna Neslund in Greece standing in front of ancient structure with columns

Anna Neslund

Major: political science | Minor: international relations | Certificate: human rights

Studied on: IES Freiburg European Union 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

How to contact Anna:

Email: aneslund@uiowa.edu
Instagram: annaneslund_

Eva Packer sitting on rocks near water

Eva Packer

Major: gender, women's, and sexuality studies | Minor: human relations | Certificate: resilience and trauma-informed perspectives

Studied in: SIT Netherlands Sexuality and Gender
Interned for: Fite Qlub 
Lived in: Homestay 
Scholarships and grants received: Merit-based Scholarship, Need-based Grant

Happy to answer questions on:

applying for study abroad scholarships, budgeting while abroad, planning independent travel, living with a host family, navigating cultural differences, understanding personal identity abroad, making new friends, using public transportation

How to contact Eva:

Email: eva.packer@gmail.com 
Instagram: evapacker

Paige Pearson standing in front of Sydney Opera House at night

Paige Pearson

Major: psychology | Minor: social work | Certificate: residence and trauma-related perspectives

Studied on: IES Internships Sydney in Australia
Interned with: RSL LifeCare working with talent team 
Lived in: apartment 
Scholarships and grants received: Need-based Grant

Happy to answer questions on:

applying for study abroad scholarships, planning independent travel, navigating cultural differences, understanding personal identity abroad, making new friends, using public transportation

How to contact Paige:

Email: paige-e-pearson@uiowa.edu 
Instagram: paigepearson1911

Maddie Phillips sitting in front of Ferris wheel in London

Maddie Phillips

Majors: international studies; history | Certificate: human rights

Studied on: IES London: Study London in the United Kingdom
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

How to contact Maddie:

Email: madeline-phillips@uiowa.edu
Instagram: madeline.phillips21

Bella Rivera holding surf board in water

Bella Rivera

Majors: Spanish; world language education (College of Education) | Minor: human relations | Endorsement to teach English as a Second Language

Studied on: ISEP Direct: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso in Chile
Lived in: Homestay 
Scholarships and grants received: Global Access Ambassador, Merit-based Scholarship

Happy to answer questions on:

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

How to contact Bella:

Email: isabella-rivera@uiowa.edu 
Instagram: belariivera

Jennifer Schmitt standing in front of rainbow and buildings and seagulls in the sky

Jennifer Schmitt

Major: English and creative writing (publishing track) | Minor: art history

Studied on: IES Dublin Writers Program in Ireland
Lived in: apartment 
Scholarships and grants received: IES Abroad Scholarship

Happy to answer questions on:

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

How to contact Jennifer:

Email: jenschmitt@uiowa.edu 
Instagram: jennaaschmitt11

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

Claudia Wilcox standing on rock with mountains shrouded in fog and water behind

Claudia Wilcox

Major: elementary education

Studied on: TEAN New Zealand: Victoria in Wellington
Lived in: residence hall/dormitory 
Scholarships and grants received: Merit-based Scholarship

Happy to answer questions on:

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

How to contact Claudia:

Email: claudia-wilcox@uiowa.edu 
Instagram: claudia.wilcox