Advising & Infosessions

Bio:

Shawn is originally from South Carolina but grew up in the California Bay Area. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of California at Los Angeles and her Master of Arts from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. Shawn has traveled to over 15 countries on three continents, including seven years of living between Ghana and Togo, West Africa. While living in West Africa she led customized faculty-led groups, global internship and service-learning programs. Some of her travel studies include French summer sessions in Paris, a conflict resolution fellowship in Tanzania/Kenya and a United Nations graduate-level internship in Geneva.  She enjoys exploring new places; especially scenic beach spots in her free time.

Quote:

“The only person I envy is the person who hasn’t traveled or studied abroad; you have so much to look forward to! I truly believe everyone deserves and needs a global perspective.  I’m so excited to be in a role where I get to help students figure out a path to achieve their dreams”.

Favorite destination:

Portbou, Spain

Next on her list:

South Korea, Senegal, United Arab Emirates

Bio:

Jan was born and raised in the Philippines until the age of 11 when she moved to the U.S. She lived in Michigan for three years before moving to Alabama in 2005. Jan graduated from South in 2016 majoring in Foreign Languages and Literatures with a concentration in French. Studying in Dijon, France was the highlight of her college career. She loves learning about different cultures and languages. She is proficient in English, Tagalog, French, Italian and some sign language. On her spare time, she enjoys drawing with charcoal, jamming to Disney songs, and watching re-runs of Friends.

Quote:

It’s not impossible, but I’m possible! I never thought my dream of going to France would become a reality. But because of the Office of International Education, I made it from Moulton Tower to the Eiffel Tower! Studying abroad teaches you things that you will never learn within the four walls of a classroom. It will give you answers you will not find in the pages of a textbook. What you reap from the experience is invaluable and life changing. Come visit our office and take the first step in making your dream come true!

Favorite destination:

Het Drielandenpunt (“Tripoint” where the borders of Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands meet)

Next on her list:

Australia and the United Kingdom

Bio:

Nick is originally from Mobile, Alabama, but spent 4 years at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg working on his undergraduate. He graduated in 2020 with a double major in Spanish and Media Production and is now at South working on his Master’s in Teaching English as a Second Language. Nick studied abroad in Cadiz, Spain during his undergraduate, as well as spent a few months in Panama City, Panama during winter break. In his spare time he enjoys playing games, being out in the sun, and practicing Spanish with his friends. 

Quote:

“Studying Abroad was a win-win because I was able to grow in my Spanish skills as well as get first hand learning experience of different cultures. Studying in another country teaches you more than a text book ever could, and I hope to help South students overcome any doubts or fears that are holding them back from their study abroad adventure!”

Favorite destination:

Panama City, Panama 

Next on his list:

Colombia, Mexico, and Peru 

Major:

Foreign Language - Spanish

Travel Experience/Program:

South Korea and USA Virtual Afro-Argentine Culture and Spanish Language, Summer 2021

Most Memorable Experience:

I spent December 2019 and January 2020 in South Korea visiting my best friend who is teaching English there. I was very nervous to travel alone for the first time, but it ended up being the most amazing experience. I had never been outside of the United States prior to this trip, and experiencing this new world with my best friend was so memorable. This trip is so special to me because I overcame a major personal barrier with flight anxiety, and the outcome was superb! Now that I know that I can fly 19 hours across the world alone, I am so excited to travel internationally again. This trip to South Korea will always be close to my heart. If you are nervous about traveling internationally, take a risk! You can overcome any obstacle. The rewards are endless.

Bio:

Sabrina is an international graduate student from China and is currently serving as the Graduate Assistant at Global USA. She graduated from South with a master’s degree in English Literature in 2018 and is currently working on her doctorate in Higher Education Leadership. Growing up in China and now residing in the US, Sabrina has previously travelled to Australia and Finland. She enjoys meeting and working with people from all different backgrounds and cultures and trying different cuisine.

Quote:

My favorite English word is WE, because it stands for West & East.

Favorite destination:

Sydney, Australia

Next on her list:

Canada, UK, France, Dubai, Egypt, Brazil…