Education Abroad Ambassadors

Addison Bartal

Hi! My name is Addison Bartal, and I am a junior here at BGSU, majoring in Environmental Studies with a minor in Photography! This past spring, I got to spend the best five months of my life in Zanzibar, Tanzania, studying coastal ecology and natural resource management. For years, my family has hosted exchange students from many different countries, which sparked my interest in studying abroad and traveling. Outside of my study abroad program, I have been to 17 countries, and I have found that traveling is one of the most life-changing experiences one can have. In Zanzibar, I got to live in a traditional homestay in Stone Town and learn about the archipelago, Swahili, conducting research, and, truly, so much about myself and the world around me. My favorite memory from my abroad experience was during our ISP (Independent Study Project), when six other students and I camped on an uninhabited island called Misali. On our first night on Misali, we were all looking up in awe at the night sky when I walked into the ocean, and it lit up blue with bioluminescence. We all played and splashed in the water, and it was one of those moments I know I will never forget. This program allowed me to find some of my best friends, learn so much, and experience something that, as a whole, will have an incredible, everlasting impact on me.

Alexandria Pottebaum

Hi! My name is Alexandria and I am a second-year student studying psychology with a minor in child development. My study abroad program took place in Fredrikstad and Oslo, Norway for two weeks in the summer of 2026. During my time abroad I gained friendships and professional relationships that I would not have gained if it weren't for studying abroad. My favorite memory of this trip was being able to experience Norway's national holiday - Constitution Day. On top of that, I also learned a lot from our academic workshops that we had in the Fredrikstad college. Studying abroad was truly one of the best experiences I have been a part of and I'm very excited to share my experience with others and give them the confidence to follow their international dreams!

Brooke Snyder

Hey! My name is Brooke and I’m a fourth-year student studying Middle Childhood Education here at BGSU. I was lucky enough to have studied abroad at Keele University in England during my Spring 2025 semester. During my semester, I had the privilege of traveling to 25 other countries! My favorite memory from my time abroad is going on a chocolate tour in Geneva, Switzerland with my friend. Not only did this experience open my eyes to other cultures and educational experiences but also helped me grow as a person. I highly recommend studying abroad and plan to do my graduate school abroad when the time comes.

Charlie Forsyth

My name is Charlie Forsyth, and I’m a senior studying Social Work with a double minor in Art and Environmental Policy. I studied abroad for a semester in Salzburg, Austria during Spring 2026. This opportunity was life changing to say the least. I grew so much as a person, made life-long friendships and traveled to twelve different countries. I found this experience deeply transformative and powerful, and I am excited to help others take advantage of these programs at BGSU. Studying abroad is an experience that feels impossible to describe and properly encapsulate; it is just something you need to experience for yourself!

Ellie Hitchcock

Hi! My name is Ellie Hitchcock, and I am a third-year architecture student. During my time abroad, I studied in Bologna, Italy, this past summer. I went on a faculty-led study abroad trip that focused on Seeing & Sketching architectural buildings and learning the history behind them. I gained so many new friendships, saw beautiful places, and made memories that will last me a lifetime. If you even consider studying abroad, do it. I promise you won't regret it.

Grace Charles

My name is Grace Charles, and I'm a senior studying Environmental Science and Watershed Management. I studied abroad at Essex University in Colchester, England, just an hour outside London by train. I have always wanted to study abroad, inspired by my mom's experience of studying in London during her time in university. I visited 6 countries while abroad and enjoyed every minute. I loved studying in Colchester because I was an hour from London and an hour from the beach, while still allowing me to experience the English countryside. Going to Essex taught me a lot about myself, and it showed me how capable I actually am. Being pushed out of my comfort zone in the way that study abroad pushed me was the most rewarding opportunity I've ever had.

Kate Gulick

My name is Kate Gulick! I am a second-year student in the Inclusive Early Childhood education program, and I am also working toward earning a minor in Spanish. I studied abroad in Alcalá de Henares, Spain during the summer of 2026. I decided to study abroad because I love to travel, I had a lot of interest in improving my language skills, and I am super interested in the Spanish culture! Alcalá is an adorable town filled with local businesses and a lot of history. In addition to exploring Alcalá, I had the opportunity to travel to Asturias, Portugal, and Morocco during my time abroad. My absolute favorite memory from my time abroad was watching the World Cup final in Madrid and celebrating with my friends afterwards!

Lillian Visu

Hello, my name is Lillian Visu, and I’m a junior majoring in Marketing. During the spring semester of 2026, I studied abroad in Ghent, Belgium. I took business classes along with a Dutch class and lived in my school’s student dorms. I really enjoy living in Belgium and the culture that surrounded me every day. Along with traveling throughout Belgium, I got to visit other countries as well. Some of my favorites were France, Italy, Austria, and Czechia. One of my highlights was getting to reconnect with family while being in Europe. I’m Romanian and have family all over Europe, so I’m very glad this gave me a chance to visit them. I also made many life-long friendships and connections during my time abroad. My experience was very positive, and I happily think about it every day. I miss studying abroad so much, and I highly recommend going for a semester. It was the most unforgettable and life-changing experience ever, and I’m so grateful to have gone. I’m now very excited to be an ambassador and to get to share my journey and knowledge with others!

Madison Evans

My name is Madison Evans, and I'm a senior majoring in Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law with a minor in International Studies! I studied abroad in Salzburg, Austria, from Fall 2025 to Spring 2026! I've always wanted to travel and study abroad, and when Dr. Guntersdofer came into my German class in the fall of 2024 and talked about the Salzburg program, I knew immediately I had to go abroad! One of my favorite memories is visiting different cities with the friends I made and hanging out as we explored. In the program, I got to practice my language skills, build independence, and rely on myself! This is why I recommend that everyone study abroad: I gained a different kind of independence, critical-thinking skills, and confidence! I can’t wait to share my experiences with other people!

Mysa Anderson

Hello! My name is Mysa Anderson, and I’m a senior majoring in Social Work. I studied abroad in Alcalá de Henares, Spain, during the summer of 2025. While I was there, I took Spanish classes and stayed with a wonderful host family who I now consider my second family. One of my favorite memories is actually playing card games with my host brothers.
Alcalá is a beautiful city filled with history. There were so many small historic details throughout the town, which made exploring so much more fun. During my time in Spain, I also traveled to Madrid, Asturias, Burgos, and Valencia, where each city brought new adventures. I can never choose a favorite part of the trip, but one piece of advice I always give is to try everything because you never know what your new favorite thing might be!

Samantha Hickman

My name is Sami and I'm a graduate student in the MBA program! I studied global entrepreneurship for two weeks in Barcelona, Spain in 2024. I spent most of my time traveling the city and learning about Spanish culture. More recently, I performed as a twirler with the Falcon Marching Band in the Dublin, Ireland St. Patrick's Parade and traveled the country for a week. Both countries are significantly different, yet so rich in history and architecture that I would 100% go back again. My favorite thing about both was the trying all kinds of new food and experiencing the local culture firsthand. Studying abroad has made a huge impact on my life, and I suggest everyone to try and take at least one international trip. The memories I hold will follow me the rest of my life and I hope to create more as I take adventures! 

Sarah Baumgartner

Hello! My name is Sarah Baumgartner and I am a fourth year majoring in International Studies with a minor in Communications. I have been on two education abroad trips with BGSU now, the first trip was a month in the summer of 2024 to Montpellier, France and the second trip I went on was to Ireland with the Falcon Marching Band in March of 2025! During both of these trips I got the opportunity to learn so much about both countries' cultures which I still think about everyday. These trips also allowed for extra excursions to nearby cities like Paris, Marseille and Béziers for France and Killarney, Dublin, and Celbridge for Ireland which were some of my favorite memories! Studying abroad opened my eyes and allowed me to see new experiences and I’m excited to share these moments with others!

Vanessa Cray

Hi! My name is Vanessa Cray, and I am a junior studying Career Tech Education with a specialization in Family and Consumer Sciences. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to go abroad with the Falcon Marching Band in the spring of 2025, which encouraged me to pursue a longer study abroad experience. I then had the opportunity to study abroad at Keele University in England during my spring 2026 semester. During my semester, I was able to travel to over 10 countries, but my favorite was a spring break trip to Morocco with one of my BGSU friends who was also studying abroad. Studying abroad as a whole opened my eyes to other cultures, but Morocco was so entirely different and opened my eyes to a whole new part of the world. My biggest piece of advice to anyone thinking about going abroad is that BGSU is such a safe place to push yourself outside of your comfort zone, and you will learn so much about yourself while abroad.