UMass Boston

Global Ambassadors

The Global Student Ambassador Program in the Office of Global Programs aims to provide even further support from our students to other students interested in studying abroad, as well as create increased support for our incoming international exchange students. The goals of this program are to increase awareness on campus of the study abroad opportunities available to them and increase the level of support for new students coming from abroad to integrate into life at UMass Boston. The program will provide a space for outgoing study abroad students active in the application process to come and ask questions, advice, and work on applications with peers who have navigated the process in the past. It will also create a "buddy" program for those coming to our university from abroad partner universities. The students selected for this role in our office will be planning and organizing events on and off-campus for exchange students to learn about Boston, meet UMass Boston students, and will work to give our exchange students the best experience they can while visiting our city. 

Global Ambassadors Fall 2025-Spring 2026

Mika Donovan

Mika student standing in front of pink phone booth

My name is Mika Donovan and I’m an intercultural exchange and wellness  ambassador! I’m in my junior year and an International Relations major, Professional Writing and New Media minor. I studied in University College Utrecht in the Netherlands last spring, and I had the time of my life. I always knew I wanted to study abroad, yet I was still quite nervous when the chance actually arose. Nevertheless, the experience completely transformed me as a person; there, I learned through being immersed in a new continent’s customs, meeting friends from all corners of the world, and enjoying the rich history of the Netherlands and Europe as a whole. As someone with an intense interest in different cultures and geography I took away so much from living outside of the US, but even if you aren’t particularly interested in travel I wholeheartedly believe that everyone has something to gain from studying abroad, especially those at a crossroads in their life. There are so many different worlds out there and you’ll never know what you’ll find and like unless you just go!! I’d love to chat with anyone about study abroad during my office hours, Mondays and Wednesdays from 11am-1:30pm :D drop in and say hi!

Mary Klein

photo of mary klein in field

My name is Mary Klein, I am so happy to be on the Global Ambassador team this year! I am a sophomore at UMass Boston majoring in Environmental Science with a minor in Biology. Over the summer 2024 term I studied Marine Ecology and Blue Carbon Conservation for six weeks in Panama. Those weeks were some of the best of my life, constant adventures, lifelong connections and so much exposure and hands-on work in the environmental field. My goal is to influence others to study away as I believe it is a transformative opportunity to your careers, personal growth and global perspectives. I am looking forward to building new connections and supporting students along the way in their study abroad journeys! Our door’s always open, come visit us anytime!

Natalya Oscar

My name is Natalya Oscar, a third-year student at UMass Boston, and I am excited to be a Global Ambassador! I have recently returned from my academic year abroad in Tokyo, Japan. It was a mind-opening experience that taught me so much, not just about improving my language skills, but also communicating with others from all over the world and personal lessons I will always hold dear. I’d love to talk to you and help you fuel your interest in a journey abroad!

Anya Rule 

Anya student sitting on bench in front of yellow flowers
Hey Hey! My name is Anya Rule and I’m in my final year at UMass as a Sociology major and I am so excited to be a study abroad ambassador :D. I studied abroad in London for the Spring 2025 semester. I clearly loved it so much that I came back a few months later for a faculty lead trip during the summer. I highly recommend studying abroad to anyone considering it. You get to visit new places, meet new friends, and make lifelong memories all in the span of a few months.

Our Podcast:

The UMB Fall 2021 Podcasts aims to inform students about the opportunities of study abroad programs. We answer questions such as: why should I go? What will I do? And can I afford to do something as big as this? Most often the answer won't be what you expected, and reassurance is abundant in each episode we discuss. Come to find friends, answers, questions, programs and so much more this semester with Hao Tran and Allen Valentine, Global Ambassadors and your new hosts!

Untitled-Artwork_(1).png
  Prologue - What is UMB Study Abroad Podcast?
   Episode 1 - Why study abroad?
   Episode 2 - Steps to study abroad?
   Episode 3 - Benefits of studying abroad
    Interview with UNAM student fellow from Mexico
   Interview with Brittany Dhooge, study abroad advisor
   Thanksgiving Episode  

 

 

Are you a UMass Boston student currently study abroad or want to share a story from your time abroad?

Submit a blog entry to be featured on our Study Abroad Blog!  

We are asking for all of our UMass Boston study abroad alumni to contribute to this blog to reflect on their experiences, share their stories, and provide insight to future study abroad students. For many, studying abroad is a life-changing experience. It changes the way we think, interact, and perceive the world. If you are a student interested in studying abroad, please use this site to learn from those who have taken the leap and returned to share their tale! To submit a blog entry, please email studyabroad@umb.edu. 

Check out photos from UMass Boston study abroad alumni on Instagram: @umb_studyabroad  #beaconsabroad