Learn about studying abroad from a student perspective. Our peer advocates are study abroad alumni and would love to help you with your own study abroad process! Reach out to someone who has the same major as you, went on a program you’re interested in, or that you’re just interested in chatting with!
Abigail Brown – 3rd Party Provider (IES)
Program: IES Abroad Milan: Music
Major: BM Flute Performance Major
Program Location: Milan, Italy
Studying in Milan for a semester was the highlight of Abigail’s college experience so far. From the historic architecture and the delicious food to the rich cultural and musical history, Abigail truly fell in love with everything Italy has to offer. She fully immersed herself within Italian language and culture by living with a host family and spent her weekends exploring other European cities including Paris, Amsterdam, London, and Vienna. Abigail’s experience abroad was so impactful that inspired her to continue seeking out other international experiences. Since then, she has gone to Brazil (São Paolo and Rio de Janerio) with the Indianapolis Symphony choir, and she spent the summer in Saluzzo, Italy playing flute with the Saluzzo Opera Academy Orchestra.
Next international experience Abigail is planning: Returning to Italy for the Mediterranean Opera Studio Festival Orchestra in Sicily next Summer 2025.
Jordan Brown – Butler Exchange
University: University of Zurich
Majors: International Studies and Political Science Double Major; Spanish Minor
Program Location: Zurich, Switzerland
During her semester in Switzerland, Jordan immersed herself in Swiss culture. She traveled to all 26 cantons and spent her free time exploring cities and small towns and hiking up mountains. At the University of Zurich, she studied Switzerland’s political system and European politics. She learned about a wide variety of topics including refugeehood, the political economy, and labor market inequalities. Her favorite memory from her time abroad was hiking through Stoos Ridge. Stoos has the steepest funicular in the world and the views at the top were breathtaking. For Jordan, studying abroad was the highlight of her college career. It transformed her as a person and gave her the confidence she needed to step into the last year of her college career and into post-grad life.
Next international experience Jordan is planning: Jordan hopes to eventually work abroad with an NGO or as a Foreign Service Officer. She is currently applying to a Fulbright English Teaching Award in Uruguay.
Avery Collien – Faculty-Led (Semester in Spain)
University: Butler Semester in Spain
Majors: Marketing and Spanish Double Major
Program Location: Alcalá de Henares, Spain
Avery was lucky enough to study abroad for both three weeks in Costa Rica in May of 2022 and a semester in Spain. After loving her time in Costa Rica so much, she decided she had to go abroad for a full semester as well! Some highlights of Spain for Avery were completing an internship, traveling to Germany, Mallorca, Portugal, and Ireland, and spending time with all of the friends she met in her program. Studying abroad allowed Avery to gain confidence in her language skills and push herself out of her comfort zone. In both programs, Avery lived with host families and loved practicing her Spanish, trying new foods, and spending time immersed in the culture. Avery is so grateful for the ways that abroad has shaped her college experience and her personal growth!
Next international experience Avery is planning: Hoping to find job opportunities that allow her to travel internationally! Also, a post-grad trip to Europe with friends she met in Spain.
Grace Denckhoff – 3rd Party Provider (Wells in Florence)
University: Istituto Lorenzo de’ Medici
Majors: Creative Media and Entertainment Major; Art + Design Minor
Program Location: Florence, Italy
Grace knew she wanted to study abroad before even applying to Butler and the Wells in Florence program surpassed every expectation. She enjoyed taking classes with Italian professors that were excited to share their love for Florence, and prioritized getting outside spending time in the city during class. Because of this, it didn’t take long for Florence to feel like home. She fell in love with the liveliness, and fully immersed herself in Italian culture and lifestyle. She is grateful to have met her best friends, travel internationally, and to over 12 different Italian cities. This experience not only deepened her understanding of different cultures but also fostered significant personal growth— solidifying it as the best decision she’s ever made!
Next international experience Grace is planning: Grace is currently looking at volunteer opportunities abroad post-grad, as well as a job that allows her to travel internationally. Her time abroad also inspired her to intern with the center for global education this fall— helping future students go abroad!
Belle Echeverria – ISEP Exchange
University: University of Jyväskylä
Majors: Psychology Major; Entrepreneurship & Innovation Minor
Program Location: Jyväskylä, Finland
Belle spent the first five months of 2024 studying at the University of Jyväskylä in Finland. During her time there, she fully embraced Finnish culture, indulging in sauna traditions, participating in sitsfests, and trying avanto swimming. A highlight of her experience was traveling to the Arctic Circle to visit Finnish Lapland, where she explored Santa Claus Village, enjoyed a husky safari, and witnessed the northern lights for the first time. Belle cherishes the connections she made with people from diverse backgrounds and languages, finding the experience both special and rewarding. She considers this adventure a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and would gladly relive it a million times if she could.
Next international experience Belle is planning: Belle is traveling back to Europe this October and this December! After that, she hopes to get her graduate degree somewhere in Europe!
Tessa Fackrell – ISEP Exchange
University: Aix-Marseille Université
Majors: Journalism and French Double Major
Program Location: Aix-En-Provence
Tessa had the opportunity to study abroad in the south of France, Aix-En-Provence, for the fall semester of her junior year. She participated in a language-intensive program at Aix-Marseille University for the semester. While in France, she traveled to six other countries and 15 cities. In the three months that she was abroad, she improved her language level and gained valuable experiences using French in school and in outside life. Tessa credits her semester abroad with helping to shape her love for travel and experiencing different cultures.
Next international experience Tessa is planning: Tessa plans to take the STAMP exam in this fall to certify herself as bilingual in French and she plans to continue practicing her language. She is hoping to travel back to France with friends after she graduates in May.
Peyton Fox – Butler Exchange
University: Lingnan University
Majors: International Business Major; Mandarin Chinese Minor
Program Location: Hong Kong SAR, China
Peyton had been studying Mandarin Chinese and Chinese culture since she was 14, always dreaming of studying in some part of Asia. For her, studying abroad in Hong Kong was a transformative experience, teaching her a lot about herself and others around the world. She fully immersed herself in the local culture, attending festivals for various holidays celebrated in Hong Kong. Peyton also formed lifelong friendships with people from all over the world. With her friends, she had the chance to travel to other exciting parts of Asia, which made her study abroad experience even more enriching. The experience helped her grow personally and solidified her plans for life after college. Next international experience Peyton is planning: Peyton will be taking a gap year to travel around the world and prep for law school. After the gap year, she plans on attending law school to study international law and affairs.
Elena Hyre – Butler Exchange
University: Macquarie University
Majors: Marketing Major
Program Location: Sydney, Australia
Elena studied abroad during the Spring of 2024, and it was the highlight of her college experience. Coming into Butler, she knew that she wanted to study abroad, and the semester exceeded all of her expectations. In just 5 months, she returned home with valuable lessons on independence, fully maximizing time, and with memories that will last a lifetime. Being in Sydney allowed for the opportunity to explore many cities across Australia, such as Melbourne, Brisbane, and Newcastle, as well as multiple countries in Asia. Traveling, surfing, hiking, swimming with elephants, and meeting lifelong friends were just a few of the incredible experiences of her time abroad. She was able to learn and take courses on Indigenous Peoples in Australia, immerse herself in multiple different cultures, and experience the Australian lifestyle. Studying abroad was a time of pushing herself out of the comfort zone, learning to adjust, incredible personal growth and reflection, and experiences that will be cherished forever.
Next international experience Elena is planning: After graduation, Elena hopes to do an internship in Nairobi, Kenya, and would love to return and work in Australia.
Rachel Medina – Faculty-Led (Semester in Spain)
University: Butler Semester in Spain
Majors: Marketing, International Business, and Spanish Triple Major
Program Location: Alcalá de Henares, Spain
Rachel grew up learning Spanish and dreamed of studying abroad in Spain. The highlight of her experience was living with a host family and immersing herself in the Spanish lifestyle. She chose the program to take classes for her Spanish major but was most excited to take business classes in Spanish. She even completed an internship with a local small business! Through her interactive classes, Rachel had the opportunity to speak on the local radio and visit an Inditex (Zara) logistics center. Outside of class, she loved studying in Alcalá’s coffee shops, experiencing nightlife in Madrid, and embracing new experiences. She mastered Spain’s high-speed train system and has now been to over a dozen Spanish cities. She also took two solo trips to Portugal and Belgium! Rachel’s study abroad experience was the highlight of her time at Butler because it combined her academic interests and passion for immersive cultural experiences.
Next international experience Rachel is planning: Rachel hopes to have one more study abroad experience over spring break and is currently pursuing post-grad opportunities to teach abroad for a year! She will always find ways to keep international experiences as part of her professional and personal life.
Sarah Miller – ISEP Exchange
University: Nantes Université
Majors: Web Design and Development and French Double Major; Education Minor Program Location: Nantes, France
During her semester in Nantes, Sarah was fully immersed in the French language, culture, and mode de vie. While in class, she was able to build connections with fellow international students and local student mentors, enhancing her French communication skills and gaining a better understanding of la vie nantaise. Engaging in the local community through activities such as weekly badminton, Tuesday night Bridge Club, and a DJ party in the courtyard of the local 15th-century Chateau were unexpected highlights of Sarah’s experience. Having the opportunity to explore France with her newly made friends and solo travel around Europe, navigating new countries, cultures, and languages fueled Sarah’s passion for travel and created unforgettable memories.
Next international experience Sarah is planning: Sarah hopes to continue pursuing her passion for the French language and culture post-grad by returning to France and working in local schools to provide English language instruction and support.
Oscar Sandoval – 3rd Party Provider (IFSA)
Program: IFSA in Rome Plus
Majors: Finance / Risk Management & Insurance Major
Program Location: Rome, Italy
Oscar studied abroad in Rome, Italy during the Fall semester of 2023. He absolutely loved every single second of it. It allowed him to become comfortable in a new environment and culture. He learned many valuable life experiences that will help him professionally but also within his own personal life. His favorite part about his experience would be getting the chance to travel internationally within Europe. Oscar would be open to further travel opportunities in the future, thanks to this impactful experience.
Next international experience Oscar is planning: A career where he has the ability to travel internationally, but most definitely plans to return to Europe super soon!
Ryan Snyder – 3rd Party Provider (SIT)
Program: SIT – Rainforest, Reef and Cultural Ecology
Majors: Biology and Environmental Studies Major
Program Location: Cairns, QLD, Australia
Ryan studied local Australian ecology for a semester in the Spring of 2023, where he practiced conducting field research, engaged in service learning experiences and developed technical writing skills. Through the SIT third-party program, Ryan was able to explore the local flora and fauna that northeast Australia has to offer, from hiking through rainforests to snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef.
Next international experience Ryan is planning:
Ryan is looking to continue traveling abroad and would love to visit more rainforests in Central and South America, and he is also interested in searching for master’s degree programs or internships abroad after he graduates this upcoming spring.