Alison is a Senior at the University of Florida, majoring in Political Science, Spanish and Latin American Studies. She was born and raised in Sarasota, Florida. Alison is a member of the Model United Nations team at UF and also active in the Spanish department. She spent the summer of 2012 participating in an international service learning trip to the Dominican Republic, where students taught the English language to kids aged 5-10, and taught social skills through team-building exercises. In her spare time, Alison enjoys running, biking and playing soccer. While in Spain she looks forward to immersing herself in the culture and helping the other students do so as well – OH, and of course eating delicious food!

Emily is studying Spanish at Mississippi State University, where she is involved in the Spanish Club, French Club, International Student Organization for Languages and Culture, and her sorority. She enjoys running, reading, and traveling. Emily hopes to have the time of her life in Seville, learning about the culture and establishing friendships, while taking advantage of the unique opportunity of studying abroad.

Christine O’Dea is serving as the first-ever “Correspondent” of the Cultural Liaisons program, simultaneously working on a travel journalism course through Matador U and reporting on CL events and activities throughout the semester. Christine is a student at Hofstra University in New York, majoring in Mass Media Studies and minoring Sociology. She is the PR/Marketing Chair for two Hofstra organizations and a writer for NkdMag.com. An avid traveler, photographer, and writer, Christine is learning to combine all three with MatadorU during her semester in Sevilla, courtesy of API. She enjoys music, environmentalism, Instagram, and chocolate.