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](/sites/international.uiowa.edu/files/styles/square__1024_x_1024/public/2024-05/Maddy-Barreda_web.jpg?h=88d23ec4&itok=5J4vCmI7)
Maddy Barreda
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](/sites/international.uiowa.edu/files/styles/square__1024_x_1024/public/2024-05/Kate-Burns_web.jpg?h=0a2be8f4&itok=26jgbsM2)
Kate Burns
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](/sites/international.uiowa.edu/files/styles/square__1024_x_1024/public/2024-05/photo---sophia-caronis_web.jpg?h=b69e0e0e&itok=1vLJlc5i)
Sophia Caronis
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](/sites/international.uiowa.edu/files/styles/square__1024_x_1024/public/2024-01/Nora-Engstrom_web.jpg?h=05ee7ac3&itok=Dzvo9Jzu)
Nora Engstrom
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](/sites/international.uiowa.edu/files/styles/square__1024_x_1024/public/2024-05/Richelle-Fenteng_web.jpg?h=0149b64f&itok=lGem8RpB)
Richelle Fenteng
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](/sites/international.uiowa.edu/files/styles/square__1024_x_1024/public/2024-05/Maisey-Gullickson_web.jpg?h=05ee7ac3&itok=TqaTqoGY)
Maisey Gullickson
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](/sites/international.uiowa.edu/files/styles/square__1024_x_1024/public/2024-05/Samantha-Hitlan_web.jpg?h=58e15aaf&itok=RDTwY9ME)
Samantha Hitlan
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](/sites/international.uiowa.edu/files/styles/square__1024_x_1024/public/2024-01/Gabriela-Konopka-in-Rome_web.jpg?h=05ee7ac3&itok=e36frRpY)
Gabriela Konopka
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](/sites/international.uiowa.edu/files/styles/square__1024_x_1024/public/2024-05/Nikhil-Krishnan_web.jpg?h=05ee7ac3&itok=N2jD-O1m)
Nikhil Krishnan
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](/sites/international.uiowa.edu/files/styles/square__1024_x_1024/public/2023-12/Anna-Larson_web.jpg?h=0502c707&itok=0ZpzYufH)
Anna Larson
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](/sites/international.uiowa.edu/files/styles/square__1024_x_1024/public/2024-02/Jack-McIntyre_web.jpg?h=0b152879&itok=5J6cqq6k)
Jack McIntyre
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](/sites/international.uiowa.edu/files/styles/square__1024_x_1024/public/2024-05/Molly-McNeill_web.jpg?h=05ee7ac3&itok=rlfdj8Yv)
Molly McNeill
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](/sites/international.uiowa.edu/files/styles/square__1024_x_1024/public/2023-12/Anna-Neslund_web.jpg?h=05ee7ac3&itok=zOpF2taL)
Anna Neslund
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](/sites/international.uiowa.edu/files/styles/square__1024_x_1024/public/2024-05/Eva-Packer_web.jpg?h=68b8019b&itok=jsgYcpMc)
Eva Packer
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](/sites/international.uiowa.edu/files/styles/square__1024_x_1024/public/2024-05/Paige-Pearson_web.jpg?h=dce5fa8e&itok=-2R5Em5d)
Paige Pearson
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](/sites/international.uiowa.edu/files/styles/square__1024_x_1024/public/2024-01/Maddie-Phillips-in-London_web.jpg?h=68b8019b&itok=9bBEMQIx)
Maddie Phillips
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](/sites/international.uiowa.edu/files/styles/square__1024_x_1024/public/2024-05/Bella-Rivera-Chile_web.gif?h=201e2d68&itok=iNi5aJtT)
Bella Rivera
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](/sites/international.uiowa.edu/files/styles/square__1024_x_1024/public/2024-05/Jennifer-Schmitt_web.jpg?h=c9c37765&itok=JZSzPrrE)
Jennifer Schmitt
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](/sites/international.uiowa.edu/files/styles/square__1024_x_1024/public/2024-05/Mia-Terry_web.jpg?h=05ee7ac3&itok=OJc-0WPf)
Mia Terry
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](/sites/international.uiowa.edu/files/styles/square__1024_x_1024/public/2024-05/Claudia-Wilcox_web.jpg?h=cc6098fd&itok=5piyKo5U)
Claudia Wilcox
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