Meet the Spring Semester Bloggers

A new semester is almost upon us, and that means a new group of SDSU students are heading out to study abroad destinations all around the globe! This spring, nine of them will be blogging for SDSU Be International.

Before you follow them on their journeys of discovery, let’s get to know a little bit about them!

Kaitlyn Cabrera

New Zealand

“Hi! My name is Kaitlyn Cabrera and I am a third year food and nutrition student. I am studying abroad for the spring semester in New Zealand at the Auckland University of Technology, and I am so excited to explore the sights and see what a new country has to offer. I cannot wait to hike, eat and further my education in nutrition. Be ready for the food pics!”

Teri Handa

Japan

“Hello! My name is Teri Handa and I am a second year speech, language and hearing sciences major. I will be studying abroad for the spring 2019 semester in Tokyo and I am beyond excited to go! I’ve never traveled out of the country before so this will all be entirely new to me and I can’t wait to share my journey and adventures with all of you!”

Mariah Hugo

Thailand

“Hi there, I’m Mariah Hugo! This is my third year at SDSU, and I am leaving sunny San Diego to study at Thammasat University in Rangsit, Thailand. I am majoring in journalism with an emphasis in public relations and a minor in leadership. As a San Diego native, I can barely contain my excitement to study and travel throughout Southeast Asia for the first time. Join me as I write about the people, food, climate, excursions, Thammasat University and many new experiences. I am excited to share this time with you!”

Dylan Luttrell

Germany

“Hey there! My name is Dylan and I am a senior studying linguistics. This spring I will be attending classes in Mannheim, Germany. It has been my life-long dream to travel to other countries, though between my limited financial resources and Asperger’s Syndrome, I’ve faced many obstacles in getting to this point. I know there are many out there who face challenges of your own. Please join me as I discuss topics such as accessibility, services and resources for the disabled, and general ways to save money while still having a great time abroad!“

Kelli Maples

Netherlands

“Hey there! My name is Kelli Maples and I am a junior political science major with a minor in honors interdisciplinary studies. I will be heading to the Netherlands to attend Maastricht Univeristy. I’ve lived in San Diego my whole life, so I am excited to venture abroad and immerse myself in Dutch culture!

Fidel Martinez

Georgia

“Hello there! I’m Fidel Martinez, a first year student and I am majoring in civil engineering. I am from San Diego, and I’m excited to be studying in Tbilisi, Georgia! I love traveling (although I’ve only been around a few states in Mexico and the U.S.), meeting new people and trying new things. I would like you to be a part of this journey!”

Charlotte Roberts

Puerto Rico

“Hi, friends! My name is Charlotte and I am studying sustainability and business. I have a passion for the environment and interest in supply chain equity. I am eager to discover life lessons and experience a new culture on the island of Puerto Rico. This semester should yield a unique study abroad experience for two main reasons; one is that Puerto Rico is actually an American territory, and the other is that the island is recovering from a devastating hurricane. I invite you to join me as I attempt to unpack the political and social nuances of Puerto Rico and learn how a country recovers from a natural disaster. Plus, we will be sure to have some fun. :)”

Arianna Ruiz

Georgia

“Hello! I’m Arianna Ruiz. I am a third-year biochemistry major. I will be studying aboard in Georgia (the country, not the state). This will be the first time I leave California. As someone who has never left her comfort zone, I plan to embrace being the ‘foreign exchange student’ and immerse myself into Georgian culture. I hope you enjoy reading about my experiences!”

Rachel Wedge

United Kingdom

“Hi! I’m Rachel and this upcoming semester I’ll be exploring Staffordshire, England as I continue my marketing studies across the pond at Keele University. Entering college, I knew I wanted to study abroad and I’m so glad I have the opportunity to share my experiences. I’ve been in San Diego my entire life, so this will be my first time living away from home and being able to completely immerse myself in a new culture. I’m excited to share my adventures as I navigate life in a new city and (hopefully) travel through Europe!”