API Peer Mentor Program

Peer Mentors are former API students who have completed extensive training sessions with API and are happy to speak with you about their experiences, answer any questions you may have, and guide you through the pre-departure process. Peer Mentors also serve as resources for outbound students on their home campuses, participating in their home school’s study abroad fair, serving as a study abroad advocate, giving presentations to student groups and the community at large, and helping API to keep its pre-departure information relevant and student-focused.

Meet Our 2012/2013 API Peer Mentors

Email them, tweet at them, or comment on their blogs – they’re here to help you with your study abroad decisions!

Additionally, many of our Peer Mentors are active on our social media sites, specifically our Facebook group for Future Students and the API Blog. Feel free to pose a question for them in that forum as well.

Sarah Davidson

Buenos Aires, Argentina Personal Email: smdavids @ ucsd.eduINTERNET

Sarah is a senior at UC San Diego, studying Psychology and Anthropology. She spent 5 months studying Spanish and Latin American culture in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and a month traveling in Chile. Sarah adores Latin American culture and can’t wait to return. She’s also looking forward to visiting family in Scotland. Sarah likes to spend her time working with kids, listening to stories, and laughing at her own (hilarious) jokes.

Jonathan Bernstein

San José, Costa Rica Personal Email: jonathan.p.bernstein @ gmail.comINTERNET

Jonathan is a junior at University of California, Los Angeles majoring in film and television. He studied abroad with API in San José, Costa Rica for a quarter and is very excited to expand his international travels in the future! When he is not dreaming about telling other students what an amazing experience studying abroad is, he likes to keep himself busy by giggling in Spanish, eating, reading or swimming in a lake.

Amanda Stahmann

London, England Personal Email: amanda.stahmann @ cuw.eduINTERNET

Amanda is a senior at Concordia University-Wisconsin, double majoring in Business Management and Marketing with a Master’s emphasis in International Business. Amanda studied and interned abroad with API in London, England. Amanda keeps busy during the school year playing volleyball, tutoring, and marketing for her university’s study abroad department. Amanda is excited to help future API students start their own journey!

Ashley Riehm

Paris, France Personal Email: ariehm @ kent.eduINTERNET

Ashley is a senior Pre-Med and French Translation student at Kent State University. Ashley studied with API Paris, France for an academic year as a direct enrollment student at l’Université Paris Diderot, Paris VII. If she were to have a super power, she would have the ability to be omnilingual. She loves to keep her life diverse by learning new languages and experiencing new cultures. Ashley’s other interests include playing sports, piano, video games and reading.

Grant Emory

Florence, Italy Personal Email: emory.grant @ gmail.comINTERNET

Grant is a senior at The University of Georgia, majoring in Advertising and Psychology. His passion for travel is a direct result of his nomadic childhood and a constant desire to experience the unique- especially food. Grant enjoys skiing, cooking, and restoring antique aircraft when not on the road. After graduation, he would like to utilize the knowledge he gained during his semester abroad in Florence, Italy, to work for an international advertising agency.

Jonathan Gutierrez

Rome, Italy Personal Email: Jonathangutierreztx @ gmail.comINTERNET

Jonathan is a senior at Texas A&M International University, double majoring in Political Science and English. When not busy on campus serving as the Student Body President, Jonathan enjoys practicing photography, hanging out with friends, and reading up on international affairs. Upon graduation, Jonathan plans on pursuing a law degree with a specialization in International and Environmental Law.

Joe Lucero

Florence, Italy Personal Email: jllucero @ rams.colostate.eduINTERNET

Joe is a senior at Colorado State University majoring in Speech Communication and studying English. As a first generation student he takes every opportunity to engage and help students through his role as a tutor and peer mentor in the Native American Cultural Center at his university. His adventures abroad in Florence, Italy have helped him develop a passion for travel and a desire to pursue new adventures.

Amit Kumar

Seville, Spain Personal Email: Amitkumar1490 @ gmail.comINTERNET

Amit is a senior at the University of South Carolina, majoring in Broadcast Journalism and minoring in Political Science and Spanish. He studied abroad with API for a semester in Sevilla, Spain, as well as a summer in Firenze, Italy. Amit loves reading news stories and finding new ways to travel the world affordably. He has no idea where life will take him post-graduation, but he hopes it involves meeting lots of new people and seeing new places.

Hayley Larson

Salamanca, Spain Personal Email: larsonha @ mail.gvsu.eduINTERNET

Hayley is a senior studying Writing and Spanish at Grand Valley State University. A semester in Salamanca, Spain left her with a wonderful friendship with her 67-year-old host-mom, Pepita. Hayley is eager to help others get abroad and explore the world! Her involvement with the university’s International Center has also fueled her passion for promoting cross-cultural education to anyone and everyone who will step forward and take the risk!

Siobhan Neela-Stock

Granada, Spain Personal Email: sneelast @ uvm.eduINTERNET

Siobhan studied abroad last academic year in Granada, Spain. She has nothing but good things to say about the magical place that is Granada! Currently, she is a senior at the University of Vermont studying History, Political Science and Spanish on the side. Among her favorite activities are: dancing, speaking Spanish and getting to know people from different cultures.  She hopes to spread the study abroad bug to as many students as she can!

 

Chelsi Sparti

Seville, Spain Personal Email: chelsisparti1991 @ pointloma.eduINTERNET

Chelsi is a senior at Point Loma Nazarene University studying Biology with a concentration in International Studies. She studied with API in Seville, Spain and spends her free time at the beach, gardening, indulging in the occasional Spanish siesta and writing about the impact of study abroad. While in Spain she taught English, met people from all over the world, learned about international music and had the time of her life.

Tyler Wigington

Madrid, Spain Personal Email: tylerwigington @ gmail.comINTERNET

Tyler is a junior at Texas A&M University, studying Finance, Business Honors, and Spanish. He studied abroad with API in Madrid, Spain, and previously studied abroad in Sevilla, Spain as well as China. When he is not traveling, Tyler splits his time between classes and various campus organizations. Tyler enjoys concerts, delicious Tex-Mex, and living the college town life with friends. Tyler would like to pursue an international career that allows him to travel and speak Spanish.

Contact Past Participants

Don’t see a Peer Mentor for the city or country you’re interested in? Send us an email at api @ apistudyabroad.com and we’ll put you in touch with other former students who’ve been where you want to go!

Become a Peer Mentor (API Alumni)

Returning students have the opportunity to apply to become a Peer Mentor with API for an academic year. Students are asked at the end of their program if they are interested in applying, and candidates are reviewed in early summer. Upon completion of their year of service, Peer Mentors may apply for an internship with API, a great résumé builder. If you are a recent API alumnus and are interested in becoming a Peer Mentor, please contact us at alumniprograms @ apistudyabroad.com.

NOTE: While we encourage you to engage in conversation with the Peer Mentors, we still recommend that all logistics and financial details be confirmed with an API staff member.