Global Learning Ambassadors

Every year, Western students take their learning around the world. Our Global Learning Ambassadors are upper-year students who have participated in global learning experiences. They are here to answer questions you have as you explore global learning opportunities.

Read about highlights of their experience and advice they have for students considering going abroad below. Drop by to see them during their drop-in hours, and if you have any immediate questions, you can also send an email to ila@uwo.ca.

Adam smiling

Adam

Faculty of Social Science

Experience Exchange

Location Rotterdam, Netherlands

Living abroad helped me become more adaptable to change and different cultures while growing as a person.

Alyssa smiling

Alyssa

Faculty of Information and Media Studies

Experience Exchange

Location Aarhus, Denmark

As someone who has been through it, I want to encourage students and help them navigate the process that is fun and exciting but can also be difficult and nerve-wracking at times.

Amelia smiling

Amelia

Faculty of Information and Media Studies

Experience Study abroad

Location Italy and the United Kingdom

My global learning experience taught me that growth often comes from simply saying yes. Saying yes to moving across the world, navigating unfamiliar places, and building friendships with people whose lives looked completely different from mine.

Angely smiling

Angely

Faculty of Science

Experience Exchange

Location Bern, Switzerland

Working in a new research environment pushed me to explore beyond my own expectations and exposed me to different approaches to science and learning.

Chloe smiling

Chloe

Faculty of Information and Media Studies

Experience Exchange

Location Aarhus, Denmark

My experience abroad changed the way I see the world and gave me friendships and memories that I will carry with me long after returning home.

Evelyn smiling

Evelyn

Faculty of Health Sciences

Experience Exchange

Location Melbourne, Australia

Some of my favourite memories came from trying new things, meeting new people, and exploring places I hadn't planned to visit. It can be intimidating at first, but that's often where the most growth happens.

Finley smiling

Finley

Faculty of Information and Media Studies

Experience Exchange

Location Gold Coast, Australia

I learned to adapt, push past my comfort zone, and trust myself in completely new situations. I know the friendships and memories will last a lifetime.

Jessica smiling

Jessica

Faculty of Social Science

Experience Exchange

Location Amsterdam, Netherlands

More than anything, it showed me how easy it is to connect with people, no matter where they're from. I came home with lifelong friendships and a whole new perspective on the world.

Jilian smiling

Jilian

Faculty of Information and Media Studies

Experience Exchange

Location Leeds, England

Studying in a different academic environment gave me the opportunity to learn from professors with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Karen smiling

Karen

Faculty of Arts and Humanities

Experience Exchange

Location St Andrews, Scotland

It was a huge personal growth for me. I made new friends, experienced different cultures, and grew academically as well.

Kyan smiling

Kyan

Faculty of Social Science

Experience Study abroad

Location Nijmegen, Netherlands

Experiencing firsthand how other people live opened me up to new perspectives that continue to influence the way I think in my everyday life.

Madeline smiling

Madeline

Faculty of Social Science

Experience Study abroad

Location Nijmegen, Netherlands

My experience made me more open-minded and adaptable. It continues to influence how I approach collaboration, leadership, and building relationships with others.

Martina smiling

Martina

Faculty of Information and Media Studies

Experience Study abroad

Location Barcelona, Spain

As someone with Spanish roots, being able to experience the language, traditions, and culture firsthand gave me a much deeper appreciation for my identity and family history.

Martine smiling

Martine

Faculty of Health Sciences

Experience Exchange

Location Gold Coast, Australia

My exchange broadened my perspective, strengthened my communication skills, and taught me the value of being open to unfamiliar experiences and new opportunities.

Sebastien smiling

Sebastien

Faculty of Arts and Humanities

Experience Community Engaged Learning and Study abroad

Location Holguín, Cuba and Salamanca, Spain

Combining my studies at Western with experiences abroad deepened my cultural and linguistic understanding of the Spanish-speaking world.

Shani smiling

Shani

Faculty of Science

Experience Study abroad

Location Amsterdam, Netherlands

Step outside of your comfort zone and take advantage of the opportunities that come your way. Go for it.

Sophie smiling

Sophie

Faculty of Health Sciences

Experience Exchange

Location Gold Coast, Australia

My exchange helped me become a more independent, open-minded and adventurous version of myself, which is something I will always be grateful for.

Tammy smiling

Tammy

Faculty of Music

Experience Exchange

Location Lausanne, Switzerland

I found my experience to be a lot better when I let myself have fun, didn't pressure myself to have the 'perfect' exchange semester, and didn't take myself too seriously.

Tianyi smiling

Tianyi

Faculty of Information and Media Studies

Experience Exchange

Location Tokyo, Japan

I cherished every moment of my international experience, and I know the self-growth and friendships it has given me will stay with me for a lifetime.

Valencia smiling

Valencia

Faculty of Science

Experience Study abroad

Location Leeds, United Kingdom

Some of the best experiences come from saying yes to opportunities you may not have originally considered.

Victoria smiling

Victoria

Faculty of Social Science

Experience Study abroad

Location Nijmegen, Netherlands

You will never regret participating in a global learning program. You learn so much about yourself and the skills you learn abroad are so unique to the experience.

Yifan smiling

Yifan

Faculty of Social Science

Experience Exchange

Location Singapore

I found my experience was a good opportunity for me to take a look at the university where I wish to do my master's program.

Zarah smiling

Zarah

Faculty of Social Science

Experience Study abroad

Location Barcelona, Spain

Be open to meeting new people, exploring new places and experiencing different cultures. Even the challenges you encounter can become valuable learning experiences and memories you won't forget.

Zara smiling

Zara

Faculty of Information and Media Studies

Experience Exchange

Location Pamplona, Spain

While you're abroad, try to say yes to opportunities, whether that's exploring a new place, joining an event, or talking to someone new.