From a Semester in Prague to an Alumni Ambassador

Being an Alumni Ambassador is something I have envisioned myself doing since my study abroad experience ended. It has opened so many doors for me and has given me the chance to reminisce when sharing my abroad experience to people interested in hearing about it. So far, my favorite parts have been tabling and going on coffee dates with those interested in studying abroad. I love to share advice from my abroad experience and answer questions to get others who want to study abroad excited. 

The best piece of advice that I could give someone who wants to study abroad is to take it all in and enjoy every second of the new cultures and cities you'll experience. One of my absolute favorite parts of study abroad was getting on the tram and getting off at a spot I'd never seen before and explored. Even though I was not fluent in Czech, I always felt safe exploring new places because in the four months I was there, Prague truly became my home. 

After getting home from Prague, things have not been quite the same. The first day I got back, I needed to go to the DMV to get a new driver’s license, leaving me extremely overwhelmed and not used to the New York culture and aggressiveness. Reverse culture shock was definitely real! I'm currently planning a trip to return to Prague after graduation, and I often find myself missing my new friends, my new home, and the school where I studied. I love being an abroad ambassador with CEA, because even though I do not get to experience a semester overseas again during my undergraduate experience, I have the rewarding opportunity to share stories about my amazing semester to others and encourage people to take the risk and study abroad. CEA gave me the best semester ever, and I am forever grateful for my new home. 

Kayla Sullivan is a CEA Alumni Ambassador and went abroad to Prague in Spring 2018.