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Contact a Global Ambassador
Global ambassadors are peer mentors, inspiration leaders, and expert travelers who have participated in various global engagement programs around the world. If this sounds like you, learn more about how to apply to become a global ambassador.
Many global ambassadors have had multiple experiences, including semester and short-term programs, and every global ambassador has been trained in how to help other students. If you have questions about global engagement at Elon, start by asking a global ambassador.
Ways to get connected:
- Use the Google Map to find Global Ambassadors by location of their program.
- Find a global ambassador by major, Fellows or Scholar program, or lived experience and advice by scrolling through the profiles below or doing a keyword search (control/command + F) for terms relevant to you. For instance, if you want to contact a finance major, keyword search “finance.”
- Email globalambassadors@elon.edu about being paired with a global ambassador, or email any specific questions only students can answer.
If you attended a Global Engagement 101 session, complete this survey!
2024-25 Global Ambassadors
Rece Raju
Who I am:
- Class: 2025
- Major(s): International Business and Marketing
- Business Fellow
- Elon University Social Media Ambassador
- President & Social Media Coordinator of Elon’s Bollywood Dance Team, Surtal
- Alpha Chi Omega
My Experience:
- Copenhagen, Denmark, DIS, Fall 2023
- Future Abroad Experience: Japan and South Korea
- Business Fellows Winter Term to Paris & Dubai 2023
- Favorite Elon Global Experience: “Traveling to Budapest, Hungary for a weekend with my friends abroad!”
Ask Me About:
- What countries or cities in Europe to travel to
- Public transportation
- Making new friends abroad
- Maintaining health and wellness abroad
Jillian Dolman
Who I Am:
- Class: 2025
- Major(s): Exercise Science and Spanish
- Minor(s): Biology
- Alpha Xi Delta
- Club Volleyball
- Biomechanics Research
- Elon Pre-Health Society
My Experience:
- Seville, Spain, Fall 2023
- Argentina, Winter 2023
- Peru: The Living Heritage of the Andes, Winter 2025
- Favorite Elon Global Experience: “Seeing live Flamenco in Plaza de Espana in Sevilla, taking a street art tour in Buenos Aires, seeing a double rainbow from atop the Eiffel Tower, and cruising the canals of Amsterdam with my best friends. “
Ask Me About:
- Living with a host family
- Taking classes in a new language
- Balancing travel and academics
- How to pack efficiently
Anna Grupp
Who I Am:
- Class: 2025
- Major(s): Psychology
- Minor(s): Spanish, Communications
- Kappa Delta
- Sigma Delta Pi
- Elon 1010 Peer Mentor
- Office of History & Geography (Student Assistant)
My Experience:
- Great Structures of Europe (Italy, Spain, & France), Winter 2024
- Ireland: An Introduction to its Literature, Culture, & History, Winter 2025
- Favorite Elon Global Experience: “In Rome, my friends and I saw St Peter’s Basilica, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Stairs, and the Pantheon all in one day!”
Ask Me About:
- Packing efficiently
- Managing expectations
- Staying energized
- Choosing the right abroad program for you
Michaela Shapiro
Who I Am:
- Class: 2026
- Major(s): International and Global Studies: Europe, Environmental and Sustainability Studies
- Minor(s): Geography
- Elon Hillel
- Elon Residence Life
My Experience:
- Copenhagen, Denmark, DIS, Spring 2024
- Favorite Elon Global Experience: “Meeting people from many different cultures and countries while traveling through Europe.”
Ask Me About:
- Solo Travel
- Living with a host family
- Budgeting for travelling
- Learning a new language
- Cultural adjustments
Collette Lynch
Who I Am:
- Class: 2025
- Major(s): Elementary Education
- Kappa Delta
- Admissions (Records Department)
My Experience:
- Copenhagen, Denmark, DIS, Fall 2022
- Washington D.C., Teaching Fellows, Winter 2024
- University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand, Spring 2023
- Favorite Elon Global Experience: “Bungee jumping in Queenstown, NZ!”
Ask Me About:
- Living with new people abroad
- Making the most out of your time abroad
- Being a flexible traveler
- Cooking for the first time
Anya Bratic
Who I Am:
- Class: 2026
- Major(s): International & Global Studies, Public Health Studies
- Minor(s): Policy Studies
- Team Lead for the Center for Design Thinking
- Periclean Scholar
- Elon College Fellow
- Alpha Xi Delta
- Class of 2026 Senator in Student Government Association
My Experience:
- Belgrade, Budapest, and Vienna: Comparative European Perspectives on Conflict & Democracy, Spring 2024
- Favorite Elon Global Experience: “Visiting all six republics of former Yugoslavia.”
Ask Me About:
- Living with a homestay family
- Internships abroad
- Solo Travel
- Eastern Europe
- Being a heritage student
- SIT programs
Who I am:
- Class: 2025
- Major(s): Exercise Science
- Minor(s): Public Health, Food Studies
- Twisted Measure Acapella
- Team Lead for Moseley Center Front Desk
- Alpha Omicron Pi
My Experience:
- Australia, Sydney: The University of Sydney, Spring 2024
- Favorite Elon Global Experience: “Exploring the national parks of Australia with my Outdoor Education class!”
Ask Me About:
- Developing a routine abroad
- Ways to connect with fellow exchange students and locals
- Solo Travel
- Travel throughout Australia
Gabby Nagel
Who I Am:
- Class: 2025
- Major(s): Elementary Education
- Minor(s): Environmental Education
- Kappa Delta
- Chabad
- Elon Teaching Fellows
- Undergraduate Research Student Association (URSA)
My Experience:
- University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand, Elon Teaching Fellows, Spring 2023
- Favorite Elon Global Experience: “Student teaching in Queenstown, NZ!”
Ask Me About:
- Teaching abroad
- Maintaining religious traditions while abroad
- Culture shock
- Living with new people
- FOMO
Ashley Josey
Who I am:
- Class: 2025
- Major(s): Communication Design
- Minor(s): Entrepreneurship & Innovation
- Truitt Center Multifaith Intern
- Elon University Innovation Fellow
- Communications Fellow
- Kernodle Center Alternative Breaks Coordinator
My Experience:
- New Zealand, Wellington: Victoria University of Wellington (Arcadia), Fall, 2023
- Favorite Elon Global Experience: “I lived with 17 students from all over the world while studying in Wellington. We had a blast cooking up meals together and exploring the city. It was a beautiful experience of living in an international community, while forming some incredible friendships (often over takeout Indian food).”
Ask Me About:
- Solo Travel
- Forming new friendships abroad
- Exploring local cultures
- LGBTQIA+ community abroad
Who I am:
- Class: 2025
- Major(s): Policy Studies
- Minor(s): Sociology
- West Coast Admissions Ambassador
- Koury Gym Operation Assistant
- Omicron Delta Kappa
My Experience:
- CET Prague, Spring 2024
- Favorite Elon Global Experience: “Traveling with my program on our two traveling seminars to places that were more niche and solo traveling to Sardinia.”
Ask Me About:
- Living in a city where English isn’t the primary language
- Personal travel budgeting
- Developing a routine abroad
- Solo Travel
Who I Am:
- Class: 2025
- Major(s): Cinema and Television Arts
- Minor(s): Creative Writing
- Cinelon Productions
- Elon Student Televison
- The President’s Student Leadership Advisory Council
My Experience:
- Elon in Los Angeles, Spring 2024
- Favorite Elon Global Experience: “Renting a boat on Catalina Island!”
Ask Me About:
- Finding an internship
- Budgeting your time and money
- Hidden gems in Los Angeles
- Amusement Parks
Who I Am:
- Class: 2027
- Major(s): International Global Studies, Dance Performance & Choreography
- Minor(s): German Studies, Political Science
- German Club
- Sigma Kappa
- Tour Guide for Elon Admissions
My Experience:
- Germany, Heidelberg: University of Heidelberg, Summer 2024
- Favorite Elon Global Experience: “I lived with a host mom for six weeks where she made me authentic German meals and we watched the UEFA Euro Football cup together! She also had other exchange students living with us from Slovakia, Japan, and France whom I still talk to!”
Ask Me About:
- Learning German
- Living with a host family
- Finding your independence
- Solo travel
Jack Halpern
Who I Am:
- Class: 2025
- Major(s): Business Analytics and Entrepreneurship
- Founder of Phoenix Fight Blood Cancer
My Experience:
- Greece, Classics in Context, Winter 2024
- Elon in Charlotte, Summer 2024
- Favorite Elon Global Experience: “Having the opportunity to travel to eight different cities throughout Greece and exploring the history, culture, and cuisine.”
Ask Me About:
- Traveling abroad for the first time
- Short-term and summer programs
- Internships
- Best Restaurants in Charlotte
Kylie Leyda
Who I Am:
- Class: 2025
- Major(s): Computer Science, Public Health
- Minor(s): Engineering Design, Statistics, Data Science
- Elon Women’s Club Volleyball
- Public Health Society
My Experience:
- India: Public Health Studies Practicum, Winter 2024
- Elon in New York City, Summer 2024
- Favorite Elon Global Experience: “Pushing myself out of my comfort zone in India when I spent the night at a village health workers home in the village of Padali.”
Ask Me About:
- Studying in India or NYC
- How to choose a program
- Adjusting to different cultural practices
- Navigating a language barrier while abroad
- Work/life balance while interning in NYC
Lauren Bedell
Who I Am:
- Class: 2026
- Major(s): Political Science, Policy Studies
- Truitt Center Multifaith Intern
- Racquetball Club
- Elon Alzheimer’s Initiative
- Alpha Phi Omega
- LEAF (Lutherans, Episcopalians, And Friends)
My Experience:
- Denmark, Copenhagen: Study Abroad in Scandinavia (DIS), Spring 2024
- India’s Identities: Religion, Caste, & Gender in Contemporary South India, Winter 2025
- Favorite Elon Global Experience: “Traveling to Greece with my International Refugee Law core course! Having the opportunity to be in the space where we had studied throughout the semester was not only impactful, but it was strikingly profound as we listened to panel discussions about the inter-workings of NGOs, traced back the steps of people on the move, and were able to visit various solidarity spaces created to support these individuals.”
Ask Me About:
- Solo Travel
- Living with a homestay family
- Finding local volunteer opportunities
- Adjusting to new environments and cultures abroad
- Core courses vs. Elective courses with DIS
Annika Benander
Who I Am:
- Class: 2027
- Major(s): BFA Acting, Arts Administration
- Minor(s): Dance, Business, Communications
- Renegade Student Productions
- CinElon
My Experience:
- Ghana Performing Arts in Cultural Context, Winter 2024
- Favorite Elon Global Experience: “Canopy walk through the rainforest of Kakum National Park suspended 160 feet above ground. “
Ask Me About:
- West African Dance at Elon
- Exploring beyond your comfort zone
- Navigating long distance with friends and family
Who I Am:
- Class: 2025
- Major(s): Sociology
- Minor(s): Criminal Justice
- Sociology Club
- Boys and Girls Club Burlington volunteer
My Experience:
- Florence, Italy, Spring 2024
- Favorite Elon Global Experience: “Opening up my horizons to new foods, cultures, countries and people while abroad.”
Ask Me About:
- Going abroad without knowing anyone in your program
- Traveling in Europe
- Budgeting while abroad
- Navigating language barriers
- Adapting to new cultures and enviroments