Jennifer Acosta

Executive Vice President, WorldStrides Higher Ed

Jennifer Acosta has been with ISA since 1996 and now as Senior Vice President & General Manager for International Studies abroad (ISA) and The Education Abroad Network (TEAN). She graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh with a Bachelor's Degree in Spanish and Latin American Studies, and then from Southwest Texas State University with a Master of Arts in Teaching Spanish. Her education abroad includes a semester at the Universidad de Sevilla in Sevilla, Spain and a summer at the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City.

Jennifer believes in providing exceptional study abroad experiences for college students and is an avid traveler herself. She served as Senior Vice President of Enrollment Management for 10 years prior to her appointment as General Manager. Jennifer has played a key role in ISA's development during her tenure and cites a passion for meeting students on their terms. She lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and two daughters.

Angel (Chicho) Eguiluz Pacheco

Senior Vice President, Global Operations

Ángel Eguiluz Pacheco, known by all as "Chicho," is ISA's Senior Vice President of Global Operations. A native of Spain's northern coastal town of Santander, Chicho began his career with the program when he settled in the southern city of Sevilla in 1997. Before beginning work with the Sevilla program, Chicho spent several years at the University of Salamanca, where he received his degree in Spanish Language and Literature and went on to earn a Masters Degree in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language. His university career also included his own personal study-abroad experience, when he was awarded a grant to study at the University of Leuven in Belgium. Chicho later went on to experience life in the United States while in Virginia teaching Spanish at James Madison University. His accumulated knowledge of foreign language studies, as well as his ability to closely connect with American study abroad students, have given Chicho the reputation that he has acquired within the study-abroad sphere both in the United States and in Spain. Now leading all of ISA's programs in Europe, Chicho is often on the move, although the Sevilla office remains his home base.

Beth Price

Senior Vice President, Student Outreach

Beth first fell in love with travel during her semester of study abroad as a Marketing student at the University of St. Thomas. As an avid life-long-learner, Beth most recently completed her MBA at UT Austin. While her Minnesota roots were as thick as her accent, she moved to Austin, TX the summer of 2009 to join the ISA team. Since then she has continued exciting travels, which includes exploring 6 out of the 7 continents (you're next, Antarctica). Some of her favorite highlights include climbing Kilimanjaro, seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland, scaling the Great Wall of China, bartering for a rug at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, and relishing in Peruvian cuisine while enjoying the view of Machu Picchu.

Susan Farley

Vice President, Financial Affairs

Susan was born and raised in Texas and graduated from Texas Christian University with a B.A. in Latin American Studies and Spanish. Her primary study abroad experience was in Costa Rica, where she enjoyed living with a family and exploring the beautiful country. That first program abroad changed the course of her life and sparked a passion for international education. Susan joined the ISA team in 1997 and has returned to Costa Rica many times over the years for business and personal travel. She has also been fortunate to travel extensively in and around ISA's program locations in Europe, Latin America and the Pacific. In her free time, she most enjoys exploring the great outdoors with her husband, sons and the family dog.

Mark Gallovic

Vice President, Strategic Partnerships

Mark has been dedicated to the education abroad profession for more than 24 years, having been transformed by his own student experiences abroad in Venezuela, Mexico, and Spain, as a high school and undergraduate student. Prior to joining ISA in 2014 as Vice President for Strategic Partnerships, he served as Director of Education Abroad as the University North Carolina Wilmington, for eight years, as Assistant Director of the Office of International Programs at Arizona State University for eight years before that, and previously for the Institute for Study Abroad, both in the U.S. and Australia. Mark earned undergraduate degrees in International Studies and Spanish at Miami University, and a M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from Arizona State University. When not focused on education abroad program development, he likes to go off recipe, and cook by the inspiration of quirky ingredient baskets. Like many others hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, Mark will always root for the underdog.

David Puente, Ph.D.

Associate Vice President, Academics

David grew up in Minnesota looking at maps and reading about faraway places when not busy shoveling snow. As a backpacker and later as a military officer he began exploring more temperate parts of the world, and at last count he had visited 45 countries. Shortly after moving to Spain in 2002 he joined ISA. Since then he has worn many hats and shown he's game for any challenge. Currently he leads our site visits and spearheads efforts to enhance and assess students' intercultural learning. David feels lucky to work closely with upper management, resident staff and faculty on both sides of the Atlantic, doing his best to live up to his last name--bridge in Spanish! He is a proud parent, a political news junky, and a bit of a music snob.

Elizabeth Erbeznik, Ph.D.

Senior Associate Vice President, Curriculum and Academics

Hailing from Northern California, Elizabeth graduated summa cum laude from UCLA with a BA in English and French and then received her MA and PhD in Comparative Literature from the University of Texas at Austin. Elizabeth first traveled to Switzerland as a high school exchange student, then studied abroad for a year in Lyon, France, where she enrolled in literature courses with local students and traveled throughout most of Western Europe during long vacations. After graduating from UCLA, she joined the Peace Corps and taught English in Madagascar. Before joining ISA, she taught French language and literature courses at Northern Illinois University and UT-Austin. She loves reading books in their original language (or translations), traveling, camping and going on adventures with her husband and daughter.

Robin Reliford, J.D.

Head of Health & Safety

Robin joined International Studies Abroad in 2013 and oversees international risk and crisis management for ISA’s higher education programs. She works with staff globally to monitor world events to mitigate against risks; implement emergency protocols and procedures; and manage student emergencies. She works closely with executive management on policy development and compliance. Robin is a leader in the field, presenting on issues affecting student health and safety at local and national conferences. A Philadelphia native, Robin received her J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and her B.A. from West Chester University. An avid traveler, Robin is always ready for her next international experience and believes that one day she will learn to pack light.

Patrick Barker

Director, Health, Safety & Security

Patrick joined the ISA team in August of 2014 working in the ISA Embedded Office at the University of Kentucky. After receiving his BA in Geography from the University of Kentucky, he spent time in Washington, D.C. interning with the Overseas Security Advisory Council. Patrick later returned to UK for his MA from the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce, where he focused on national security policy. He studied abroad in Amman, Jordan for a summer where he fell in love with the Middle East. He has also been fortunate enough to travel to over 50 countries all over the world. In his free time, Patrick enjoys trying new restaurants, road trips, Instagraming and cheering on his beloved Kentucky Wildcats.

Kate McSurley

Assistant Director, Health, Safety & Risk Management

Kate first traveled abroad as a participant of TEAN, studying in Australia at the University of Queensland. Her time overseas allowed her to examine English literature from a fresh, new angle and have a proper introduction to Australian literature. Before joining TEAN, Kate also served as a National Admissions Advisor for a fashion & interior design college as well as a technical writer for a sport technology company. Kate holds a BA in English/Communications from Saint Xavier University and earned her M.A. in English at DePaul University, both in Chicago. Since her time at UQ, she has continued her travels throughout Europe and the U.S., but she will always have a soft spot for Australia.

Yolanda Golden

Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Yolanda Golden leads WorldStrides’ strategic planning and implementation of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives that impact employee training and development, product delivery, and customer service.

Yolanda has enriched communities by serving, training, and developing programs to support diverse populations for over 25+ years in K12 and Higher Ed spaces. She joined WorldStrides in 2017 and has enhanced the lives of thousands of students by delivering exceptional STEM programs within the Envision unit of WorldStrides. Yolanda has spearheaded, collaborated, or supported various aspects of WorldStrides’ current DEI infrastructure and programming to include the development of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and the DEI Council.

Yolanda earned a BS in Psychology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Social Work from Loyola University of Chicago. She's previously served as Associate Dean of Student Success at Arrupe College of Loyola University Chicago as well as Adjunct Professor and Academic Advisor Coordinator at Loyola where she was responsible for ensuring policies and curriculum were inclusive, and equitably met the needs of unrepresented populations. While at Loyola she developed coursework centered on the differential needs of vulnerable populations and practice strategies for invention to budding undergraduate and graduate level educators and social worker scholars.

Emily Busse

Senior Director, Enrollment Management

Emily grew up in a family that celebrated international student exchange, leading her to spend her junior year of high school living with a host family in Melilla, Spain. After graduating from DePaul University, Emily spent another year in Spain, this time living in Malaga and teaching English at a local school. During this period, her younger sister studied abroad in Malaga through ISA. Upon returning home to Chicago, Emily was happy to land at ISA headquarters in Austin, TX as a Program Manager. After six years on the Enrollment Management team, she relocated to Melbourne, Australia for a new role with ISA, which by then had joined the WorldStrides family of companies. In her role as Global Mobility Manager, she helped open a new student recruitment market, partnering with Australian and New Zealand universities to send their students on WorldStrides programs worldwide. Following two exciting years down under, Emily returned to the US to explore new opportunities, expanding her experience in the higher education experiential learning space by working in corporate university recruiting, managing the hiring of interns and new college graduates. Emily is thrilled to have returned to international education and WorldStrides in her role as Senior Director, Enrollment Management. Emily oversees management of ISA & TEAN programs, supporting the Enrollment Management team and all ISA and TEAN students through every phase of the program lifecycle.

Matt Gulizia

Director, Enrollment Management

Originally from Omaha, NE, Matt earned his B.S. in International Business, B.A. in French, and M.Ed. in Higher Educational Administration from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. He studied in Paris through ISA as an undergraduate, which sparked his passion for education abroad and the French language and culture. In his spare time, he likes practicing yoga, baking, and exploring different coffee shops in whichever city he finds himself. Matt finds study abroad to be one of the best ways to contribute to personal growth and loves being a part of that for his students.

Anthony Viltro

Associate Director, Enrollment Management

Anthony is from Ohio and attended The Ohio State University where he earned degrees in Psychology and Italian. It's hard to believe that once upon a time, Anthony dreaded the idea of learning a second language and studying abroad. Nonetheless, he studied in Italy on two occasions, once in Lecce and again in Siena, and hasn't looked back since. He also taught Italian language at East Carolina University and worked as a Resident Advisor in Florence. Study abroad helped Anthony achieve things he didn't think possible, and he hopes the students he works with will have similar life-changing experiences. When not planning his next trip, Anthony spends his free time playing beach volleyball, listening to Taylor Swift, and relaxing at home with his cat, Willow.

Amy Remondi

Associate Director, Enrollment Management

Amy received a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Miami, during which time she studied abroad in Granada, Spain for a year. She fell so in love with the Spanish lifestyle and culture that after graduating she moved to Barcelona to teach English for 3 years, and then moved to Japan to continue teaching. Amy loves working with students and feels strongly about cultural exchange. Inspired by her years abroad to help students experience the thrills of learning a new language and culture, she now works as the Barcelona Program Manager. In her free time, she loves biking, camping and hiking - all with her 'adventure' cat!

Hannah Hamilton

Associate Director, Enrollment Management

Born in Corvallis, OR, family stories of adventures and travels were joyfully shared and impressed upon Hannah at a young age. As an undergraduate at the University of Texas here in Austin, she jumped at the opportunity to circumnavigate the world aboard a ship. The experience was life-changing and led her to pursue a Master’s Degree in International and Comparative Education from The George Washington University. Hannah started at ISA in 2006 and worked closely with our programs in Morocco and Europe. After six years with ISA Hannah made the decision to stay home to raise her two children. She served on their school PTA board for four years, further fueling her interests of advocacy and equity in education. Having recently returned to ISA in 2021, Hannah is thrilled to continue advising students as they pursue their own international education efforts.

B Lavornia

Senior Region & Account Manager, Europe

Originally from little Rhode Island, B acquired their desire for travel when studying abroad for a semester at the University of Roehampton in London, England. During this semester, they traveled the U.K. extensively and collected passport stamps from a dozen countries in Europe. B received a B.S. in Psychology from Palm Beach Atlantic University and went on to join ISA in 2015 to advise on programs in England and Scotland.  They enjoy enabling students to gain the confidence and self-awareness that comes from studying abroad, and helping plan their big adventures! B loves playing with their pitbull Amira, learning coding and graphic design, has started collecting passport stamps from Central America and the Caribbean, and helping their husband begin his collection, starting with Japan!

Michelle McRaney

Senior Program Manager, Latin America

Michelle graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and a focus on International Management. She studied International Business in Caen, France and Spanish and International Management in Monterrey, Mexico. Michelle joined the ISA team in 1998. Michelle has led programs in Guanajuato, Mexico; Salamanca, Spain; Granada, Spain; Santander, Spain; Sydney, Australia; and Santiago, Dominican Republic. She also accompanied several ISA site visits in Chile and Argentina, and conducted new program research and staff training in Mexico and Brazil. In 2006, Michelle moved to Lima, Peru, where she set-up ISA's first program in Peru, which expanded to include Cusco. Michelle is excited about sharing the Peruvian culture and cuisine with all ISA participants and helping to adjust to life in Lima.

Jessie Llerena

Region & Account Manager, Europe

Born and raised in New Jersey, Jessie graduated from Rutgers University with a B.A in Psychology. Her love for traveling started at a young age from visiting family back home in Ecuador. She is passionate about helping people and delivering high quality care. In her free time, she likes to spend time with family and friends, play with her dog, Cash, work out, and travel (of course!). Jessie finds that studying abroad is important to learn about different cultures, as it creates lasting relationships and memories. She is excited to be a part of the ISA team and to support students through their studies overseas

Justine Stroemer

Region & Account Manager, Spain & Latin America

Justine received her BBA in Marketing and BA in Theatre from the University of North Texas, during which she studied abroad in Birmingham, England for a semester. That is where her love for travel truly began. Later, she taught English as a foreign language in Barcelona, Spain where she was immersed in the Spanish culture, lifestyle, and language. She enjoys helping students and advocating the importance of traveling the world and learning a new language. During her free time, she enjoys playing soccer, hanging with friends, playing games, and eating lots of good food! Her travel goal is to travel to every continent, including Antarctica!

Kiri Johnson

Program Manager, France, South Africa & EuroScholars

Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Kiri graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.A. in International Studies and a minor in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Science. She studied abroad in Paris with ISA, where she fell in love with the culture, food, and the fashion. Having experienced firsthand how impactful studying abroad is to an individual’s growth, she is enthusiastic to help students plan their study and ease any stress or nerves that may come up. Happy to be back with ISA as a Program Manager this time around, Kiri aims to ensure everyone’s study abroad has the same impact as hers. In her spare time, she loves to sew and craft and be with her cat, Beignet.

Rosina D'Angelo

Program Manager, Costa Rica & Spain

Originally from Houston, TX, Rosina discovered a passion for international education as a teenager after spending a summer studying Spanish in Salamanca, Spain with ISA. Her love of language led her to pursue double majors in English and Hispanic Studies at the University of Richmond, where she had the opportunity to study abroad again in both Córdoba, Argentina and Alcalá de Henares, Spain. After graduation, she moved back to Spain and taught English for 3 years in the bustling city of Madrid and the beautiful island of Mallorca. Now that she’s back in Texas, she’s excited to advise ISA students preparing to set off on their own international adventures! In her free time, she loves cooking and baking, hiking, and exploring new cities.

Victoria Grist

Program Manager, Italy

Victoria was born and raised in Amarillo, TX and graduated with her B.A. in Psychology from WTAMU. Although she had never lived more than 20 minutes from her hometown, Victoria took a leap of faith and studied abroad for 4 months in Reggio Emilia, Italy, which sparked a passion for travel and cultural exchange. Upon graduation, Victoria moved to Germany for two and a half years to work as an au pair and study German. After moving back to Texas, she attended Texas State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and a minor in German. Tori made several life-long friendships and had so many once in a lifetime experiences throughout her adventures abroad, and she’s excited to help others do the same here at ISA. In her free time, Victoria can be found hiking, paddleboarding, camping, or floating the river with her dogs.

Adyline Saucier

Program Manager, Italy

Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Adyline received her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Global Studies from The University of Texas at Austin. Adyline started her travel journey in high school through educational learning experiences in Costa Rica and Thailand. Through these impactful travel excursions, she fell in love with the idea of learning abroad. Her degree and love for travel led her to participate in a semester abroad in Pamplona, Spain where she studied Spanish and EU Policy. During this time, she participated in life changing opportunities and met lifelong friends. In her free time, Adyline loves reading, hiking, and participating in all things Texas Longhorns related. Adyline is excited to help students prepare for their experiences abroad through ISA!

Drew Beasley

Program Manager, Czech Republic, Germany, & the Netherlands

Drew's journey in experiential education all started while traveling through Indonesia and Fiji on his gap year. Feeling refreshed and transformed, Drew embraced every opportunity to study abroad while attending DePaul University. Drew has studied film in Rome, received a teaching certificate in Prague, backpacked through Patagonia, and lead diving trips in Belize. When not abroad, Drew works closely with the Gap Year Association and currently serves on their board of directors. At ISA, Drew is thrilled to help students study abroad and fall in love with new cities and countries around the world.

Kamryn Chapman

Program Manager, Spain

Originally from Tipton, Iowa, Kamryn earned degrees in International Business and Spanish from Oklahoma State University. Her semester-long study abroad to Barcelona confirmed her passion for exploration, adventure and learning through immersion. Upon her return to the U.S. she worked in her university’s study abroad office to help her fellow students embark on adventures of their own. Kamryn is eager to continue helping students make their study abroad experience as seamless as possible so they can sit back and soak it all in! In her free time, Kamryn enjoys hiking, crafting, cooking, and enjoying live music.

Hannah Burroughs

Program Manager, Greece, Ireland & Scotland

Growing up in Fort Mill, South Carolina, Hannah was fortunate to fall in love with international travel at a young age. Following her personal and educational experiences in South America and France, she received a B.A. in Media Arts from the University of South Carolina (USC). During her time at USC, she spent a semester abroad studying international marketing, media, and women’s rights in Spain at the University of Seville. Throughout this semester, she prioritized travel and cultural immersion, and was lucky enough to do everything from spending St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin to riding camels in Morocco. Inspired by her experience abroad, she continued her education at Clemson University, where she earned a Master's in Student Affairs and Higher Education with an emphasis in International Education. In her free time, you can find Hannah working on her latest DIY home project, playing with her cats, or obsessing over the latest Netflix reality show. As a Program Manager, Hannah is extremely excited to help students learn, grow, and build their confidence throughout the study abroad experience- just like former staff members did for her!

Alana Ladd

Program Manager, Spain

While growing up in South Florida, Alana had the opportunity to study abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina the summer between her Sophomore and Junior years of high school. This trip abroad led her down the path of wandering all over the world while pursuing a BA in Spanish at DePaul University in downtown Chicago. During college she traveled to Peru, Chile, Turkey, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK, Greece, and Japan. She then lived in the Basque region of Spain upon graduation to work as a certified English teacher. She then moved to Napa Valley to follow a passion for wine making which she had discovered while working at a winery in Tuscany. She moved to Austin in 2021 to be closer to family while she taught English to Spanish speaking professionals. In her free time, she is always making travel plans whether it be domestically to a national park, or abroad to continue to wander about world. Alana loves the quote “Not all those who wander are lost.”

Megan Hix

Program Manager, Spain

Megan is a native Texan who earned dual degrees in Journalism and Government from the University of Texas at Austin. For the past five years, she has been teaching English in primary and secondary schools in Madrid, Spain, where she developed a passion for international education and cultural exchange. In her free time, Megan enjoys cooking, watching UT football games, visiting museums and practicing yoga. Although she sometimes misses spending her afternoons on a sunny Spanish terraza, Megan is happy to be back in Texas helping other students start their adventures abroad with ISA!

Sidney Stamm

Program Manager, England & Italy

Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Sidney graduated from Tulane University in New Orleans with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. Sidney's adventures abroad began when she studied in Buenos Aires, Argentina in high school getting to practice Spanish with her host family. Having discovered her love for new cultures, she interned abroad (with ISA!) in Madrid, Spain at a PR agency/fashion showroom. Upon visiting Berlin after her internship, she met some lifelong friends in Germany and began teaching herself German. She firmly believes in the importance of international exchange and finds it to be an incredible opportunity to open one's mind to previously unknown career paths and creative passions. Sidney enjoys writing, reading, and is a self-declared expert at charades.

Nina Ellsworth

Program Manager, Spain

A born and raised Michigander, Nina obtained her degree in Psychology and Social Relations & Policy from Michigan State University. Nina’s passion for global understanding started from a young age, which led her to participate in service learning and education abroad in Ecuador, Brazil, Amsterdam, and Spain, ultimately bringing her to the role of Program Manager at ISA. In her free time, you’ll often find her relaxing by Lake Michigan or cooking with family. Her background in international relations and experience living and studying abroad allowed her to see firsthand the transformative impact of cultural exchange. Nina is dedicated to helping students navigate their own journeys abroad, ensuring they have meaningful, enriching experiences.

Fernanda Chavez

Program Manager, Morocco & Spain

Born and raised in Durango, Mexico, Fernanda relocated to Texas six years ago. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Bilingual Education from The University of North Texas. Fernanda's deep passion for diverse cultures inspires her to find innovative ways to celebrate cultural diversity through teaching. She is dedicated to empowering students to continue learning and exploring the world. Excited to join ISA, Fernanda looks forward to guiding students through their academic journeys. In her free time, Fernanda enjoys spending time with her dog discovering new shows to watch and spend quality time with her loved ones.

Hannah Marrs

Strategic Programs Manager

Hannah joined WorldStrides in June of 2023 as Strategic Programs Manager and enjoys supporting our partner universities in building programs that work for their students’ needs. Hannah is based in Portland, Oregon, where she previously worked at Portland State University’s Education Abroad Office and also completed a Master's of Arts in Postsecondary Adult and Continuing Education. Hannah’s interest in international education started when she first visited Mexico on a service trip, and grew as she travelled to India in college, and later lived in the Maldives islands for five years teaching Linguistics! Experiencing the highs and lows of international living was transformational and she loves being part of an organization that provides these transformational experiences to students. She is also passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion in study abroad, as well as cultural humility and identity development through study abroad. Hannah studied Linguistics and Religious Studies in university and loves learning languages - dabbling in Spanish, Mandarin, Hindi, Bahasa Indonesia, Hebrew, Arabic and Dhivehi. When not on Duolingo, you can find her with her two kids at a park, hiking with her partner of 16 years, or enjoying the incredible food and beverage scene of Portland.

Cindy Tejero

Enrollment Associate Supervisor

Cindy received degrees in Marketing from Anahuac Mayab University and Digital Marketing from the University of Yucatan. After graduating, she spent a few months volunteering as an English Teacher in Jaipur, India. During this time, she had the opportunity to travel around Asia visiting her dream locations: Thailand, Laos, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi. Some highlights of her time spent abroad include visiting the Taj Mahal in India and caring for rescue elephants in Thailand. Cindy's favorite aspect of working and traveling abroad is getting to encounter people who feel like friends/family the minute you meet them! Cindy continually looks for ways to challenge herself, which includes solo-travel adventures. Cindy recently pursued an English immersion program in Santa Barbara, California, where she quickly fell in love with the charming Californian people and the beautiful landscapes of the U.S. Cindy is thrilled to play a part of your study abroad journey!

Ronnie Morales

Enrollment Associate

Ronnie was born and raised in the beautiful and friendly city of Merida, Yucatan Mexico and studied English at Rock Valley College in Rockford, Illinois.  He had the opportunity to travel to Paris, France and getting know more about French culture, and as a result, Ronnie’s favorite aspect of working and visiting other countries is getting to know about the culture, customs, and history. As a Scout Wood Batch Director, he has participated in different international moots and jamborees as a volunteer. He loves the adventure of traveling and meeting people from all over the world!

Helen Cuevas

Enrollment Associate

Helen was born and raised in Merida, Mexico. She has a degree in Fine Arts from the Autonomous University of Yucatan and was able to study one term at the University of Guadalajara, in Jalisco, making her knowledgeable in most aspects of the studying abroad experience, even if domestically. She was also able to travel through Belgium, France and Great Britain in 2017, where she enjoyed visiting Museums and relishing the colder weather. During that trip she met her favorite author, Neil Gaiman, at a book festival and promised herself to go back someday. In her free time, Helen loves all things crafts, learning new languages (such as German and French) and tending to her garden. She enjoys listening to 80's music, synth pop, new wave, and is a big fan of comics and cartoons.

Mariela Orta

Enrollment Associate

Mariela is happy to help students in their process to study abroad. She joined her first exchange in high school; spending a year in France studying and living with a warm French family is an experience that shaped her life path, and she believes doing an exchange is a once in a lifetime experience that no one regrets. She studied International Relations and Political Science on a double bachelor’s degree from UDLAP class of 2019. She thanks her exchange during high school for my academic decisions and curiosity for learning as much as she can about the world she lives in. She have travelled to Canada where she took Business English classes and did a backpacked during Christmas 2018 in Europe, because she loves the Christmas markets. Mariela is a bookworm and a yoga amateur and is currently studying a master’s degree in communications and digital media, and it will help students during their enrollments.

Karina Abarca

Enrollment Associate

Born in Mexico City, Karina graduated from the Anahuac Mayab University with a degree in Business Administration and Management. She has participated in professional exchanges in Argentina with a focus on organizational behavior and management, multiple civil society organizations, and intercultural community development projects. Her participation in these has led her to become passionate about and develop in the field of human rights, globalization, economy, and gender parity.

Inclined toward the benefits of international education and growth opportunities for students from all over the world, Karina is extremely happy to accompany and advise all those seeking new challenges on this path of learning. In her spare time, Karina enjoys photography, coffee, and sports.

Alexandria Diaz

Enrollment Associate

Alexandra was born in San Jose, California. She lived in several parts of the US for 13 years and then moved with her mother and brothers to Mexico at the age of 14. Since then, she has been living in Merida, Yucatan. She is a mother of 3 children, and her mission in life is to raise her children the best that she can with a wonderful childhood and the best education provided. She possesses two native languages, English and Spanish since she has Mexican parents. She is always looking to improve her life and work quality and she's never afraid of taking risks!

Brianda Diaz

Enrollment Associate

Esli Irabien

Enrollment Associate

I was born and raised in Campeche, Mexico, and have a degree in Architecture from the Autonomous University of Yucatan. During high school, I was able to take part in cultural exchanges with students of Nova Scotia, Canada and that´s when I got interested in the opportunity of academic and cultural exchanges in other countries. I have visited many Mexican states during holidays and summer vacations. The ones I enjoyed the most: Guadalajara, Michoacan, Mexico, Hidalgo, and Quintana Roo. I enjoy knowing more about the diversity of cultures in my country and about other cultures on the continent and abroad. I also enjoy the arts, especially musical theater, 80´s and 90´s rock, and general cosplay. In my free time I like to read mystery, historical fiction and romance novels

Monserrat Vivas

Enrollment Associate

I was born and raised in Merida, Yucatan, and have a degree in dentistry. I am passionate about the health area and I would like to continue learning how to be able to help more people. During my time in dental school, I realized I wanted to continue helping people but with a different approach. Working at Worldstrides has helped me step out of my comfort zone and explore a new field. It's exciting to work with students and help them expand their knowledge! During my free time, I like to watch TV, cook, and spend time with my family and friends. I would love to visit Egypt, Italy, Perú, New Zealand and Iceland. 

Laura Louski

Region & Account Manager, Asia

Laura was born in Montpellier, France. Having moved a lot as a kid with her family she was quickly influenced by the many cultures and developed a love to learn more about each place. Quickly developing a way to not only interact with their cultures but also learning their languages. Laura graduated with a degree in Tourism and started working in places that will let her interact with others from around the world. Laura enjoys reading books that were based on other countries folklore and myths, drawing and cooking desserts at home

Paulina Achach

Enrollment Associate

I was born in the beautiful city of Merida, Mexico and grew up surrounded by amazing food, culture and people. My love for travel started very young as I had the opportunity to participate in a language learning trip to Massachusetts back in my High School years, that experience definitely shaped me and increased my desire to see and explore the world, from family trips in my home country Mexico to volunteering programs with strangers turned to lifetime friends in Iceland. I am sure that the experience you are about to join will be incredibly fulfilling and life-changing for you and I will be happy to help you make it happen! 

Eric Anderson

Senior Associate Vice President, Campus Partnerships

Before joining ISA in 2017, Eric spent three years with Up with People as the Vice President for Admissions. Prior to Up with People, Eric was with GlobaLinks Learning Abroad for 10 years as a Regional Director and then Director of Institutional Relations. Eric also lived in Coogee, Australia for three years as the Operations Manager for the Olympic Youth Camp as part of the Sydney Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games. He has been a member of NAFSA for 15 years, and the Forum since 2008. Eric has visited over 40 countries and all 50 states, but these days prefers spending free time at home in Colorado catching bugs and watching Moana over and over and over with his wife and two daughters.

Zac Macinnes

Associate Vice President, Campus Partnerships

Zac has served the field of international education for nearly 15 years and believes deeply in the power of study abroad to create a better, more compassionate world - one student at a time. Zac’s own life was transformed by global education experiences in Peru, Mexico, Spain and Australia, and has since been privileged to visit 75 countries on 6 continents. Zac has presented at dozens of national, state and local conferences, and his professional areas of expertise include forecasting and strategic planning, faculty and cross-campus engagement, the alignment between career development and study abroad, marketing and technology, and matters related to diversity, equity and inclusion. A native of Austin, Texas, Zac holds a Master of Arts in Public Policy degree from Trinity College, and a Bachelor’s in Spanish and International Affairs from Emmanuel College in Boston. Zac started his international education career fresh out of college as a University Relations Representative with ISA in 2009. Zac went on to serve in leadership roles at Trinity College, CIS Abroad and the University of Connecticut, and was thrilled to come “back home” to his ISA roots as Director of Campus Partnerships with WorldStrides Higher Education in 2021. Zac believes in nourishing a sense of adventure, and takes pleasure in exploring new places and trying new things - whether it’s around the corner or across the world. He enjoys hiking, cooking, foreign languages, the occasional Netflix binge at home with his husband, and - of course - planning his next big adventure.

Dan O'Brien

Associate Vice President, Campus Partnerships

Dan‘s interest in people, places, and cultures started at age 13 when his grandfather took him to Austria for a week-long stay.  Since that time, Dan has traveled to more than 25 countries, and has more than 16 years experience in education abroad. Dan has a Master of Arts in Intercultural and International Management from the School for International Training. He studied for a semester at the Universidad de Sevilla as an undergraduate student and as a graduate student served as a group leader for the Experiment in International Living – Spain. Dan is passionate about the power of education abroad and the global competencies it provides students.

Alex Halvorson

Senior Regional Director

Alex is a Wisconsin native who earned undergraduate degrees in Spanish and Community Health from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. Alex first developed a passion for international travel and education during his undergrad after he went to Germany to visit a German exchange student friend from high school. With an invested interest in the Spanish language, he decided to study in Granada, Spain for 2 semesters. He is also an ISA alum! His love for study abroad and higher education is what led him to pursue his Master's degree in Higher Education Administration from St. Cloud State with hopes of helping more students travel the world and broaden their horizons. If Alex isn't working or daydreaming about eating tapas in Spain, he enjoys running marathons, cheering for the Minnesota Vikings, playing his ukulele, re-reading Harry Potter books or staying at home watching The Office.

Sara Kochuba

Senior Regional Director. Team Lead

Sara fell in love with learning about other cultures during her high school French class and then spent a semester in Paris during college. From there, she was hooked on the magic of travel and found her passion: to help others have access to intercultural opportunities. To date, she has spent time in Asia, Australia, Europe, and South America and has led groups of students in France and The Netherlands. Sara brings over 10 years of professional experience in study abroad on the higher education side, most recently as a Senior Director of Global Initiatives at Washington & Jefferson College. Her areas of expertise include nurturing partnerships, student advocacy, risk management, health & safety, as well as policy development. Outside of the office, Sara loves cooking, reading, her cats, and prides herself on her packing skills. At home, she can often be found trying out a new recipe or preserving something grown from her husband’s giant garden.

Sarah Warren

Director of Campus Partnerships

Growing up in a small town in Kentucky, Sarah always wanted to get involved in international education. She earned a B.A. in German Language, Literatures, and Cultures at the University of Kentucky. During her time at UK, she studied abroad outside of Munich, Germany to improve her language skills and learn about the culture firsthand. Studying abroad not only improved her German but also gave her an appreciation for international cultures and a host family she still talks with, even years later. Helping a student discover the same things for themselves is something that Sarah is excited to be involved with as part of the ISA team. In her spare time, Sarah likes to write, cook, play video games, and spend time with friends.

Snow White

Director of Campus Partnerships

While growing up, Snow spent every summer traveling around the United States, camping and visiting as many national parks as possible, which sparked her love of travel. A Florida native, Snow attended the University of South Florida (USF), where she earned a bachelor’s degree in cell and molecular biology and studied abroad twice—a full semester in Melbourne, Australia and a summer in Florence, Italy. She actually began working in international education right after her first study abroad trip, in the USF Education Abroad Office, and continued to work there for five years after graduation while also completing a master’s in business administration. Snow is a passionate advocate of study abroad for all students and loves helping them explore their possibilities. In her free time, she likes to hang out with her two guinea pigs, Muffin and Koala, and plan her future travel adventures.

Craig Jefferson

Regional Director

Craig has always had a passion for experiencing new cultures. His first study abroad opportunity, a week-long exchange with a school in Quebec City, was the culmination of seven years of elementary education at a French immersion school. That sixth-grade experience was the first of many; he has since traveled to a total of 38 countries. He continued his cultural exploration at Frostburg State University, earning dual degrees in Mass Communication and French. In the spring of his junior year he left for Amiens, France to study French literature at the Université de Picardie Jules Verne, and then returned to FSU where he worked as a study abroad ambassador on campus. After all these experiences, a career in international education was inevitable. Craig’s decade-long career in IE includes serving as a Program Officer/ARO for the J-1 Intern/Trainee visa category, on-campus roles supporting the International Centers and Programs at Johns Hopkins University and serving as the Senior Admissions Officer/DSO at the University of Baltimore. Most recently, he served the Mid-Atlantic region as Manager of University Relations with CIEE. In addition to his passion for International Education, Craig is interested in environmental sustainability, hiking with his dog, Molly, and trying to improve his sourdough bread making.

Stacy Phelps

Regional Director

Stacy has always been extremely interested in traveling abroad and learning about different cultures at a young age. Her first trip was in high school to Costa Rica, where she discovered her love of coffee. Graduating from St John Fisher University in Rochester, NY with a BA in Political Science and History, Stacy was interested in learning about the history of the world, while getting to see it all. Stacy studied abroad in Salzburg, Austria, learning German and eating schnitzel! During that semester she was also able to see sites across Europe; from Big Ben in London to Lake Bled in Slovenia. After graduating, she spent many years working in the international education field with international students at both the high school and higher education levels and advising for study abroad at Utica University. When she’s not thinking about her next trip, she likes to try new restaurants, cook, work out and ski in the winter!

Gessica Sementilli

Regional Director

Gessica’s journey into the world of experiential learning began when she ventured to Washington D.C. with her 8th-grade class, an eye-opening experience that sparked her passion for exploration and discovery. Originally from Toronto, Gessica relocated to California with her family during her childhood, where she found herself immersed in a world of new opportunities. Despite the distance, Gessica frequently travels to Toronto and Italy to visit her family. These trips not only nurtured her love for Italian culture but also instilled in her a deep appreciation for the rich history and heritage of the Mediterranean region. At UCLA, Gessica pursued her bachelor’s degree in Classical Civilization and a minor in Italian. It was during her time at UCLA that she had the life-changing opportunity to study abroad in Rome, Italy. This transformative experience allowed her to fully immerse herself in the ancient ruins, vibrant culture, and linguistic nuances of Italy, shaping her academic and personal growth in profound ways. Fueled by her passion for cultural exchange and educational enrichment, Gessica embarked on a new chapter in her academic journey at San Francisco State University, where she is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Classical Archeology and Literature. With a steadfast commitment to providing students with transformative learning experiences, Gessica aspires to share the magic of studying abroad and empower future generations of global citizens. 

Michael Saenz

Director

Michael has been in the field of international education for over 10 years. Before joining Worldstrides, he worked for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) for almost seven years as a Programs Abroad Coordinator and then as Assistant Director. Prior to his time at UTK, he worked for the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS) where his career in international education began. One of Michael’s fondest memories of studying abroad was witnessing the Spanish National Soccer Team win the World Cup while he was studying in Spain. Michael has undergraduate degrees in Business and Spanish and he recently completed his MBA at UTK in 2019. When Michael is not behind his desk working, you can find him traveling domestically or internationally, hanging out with family and friends, exploring the great outdoors, or playing sports.

Alicia Vinal

Regional Director

Alicia grew up in Maine, and little did she know her high school Project Graduation raffle win of a flight voucher would begin her love of international travel. Her first time on a plane during winter break of undergrad took her to Birmingham, England to visit a friend she met while working at a camp the summer before college, and an overnight trip to London started her obsession with what is now her favorite city! Alicia returned to London during her semester abroad while studying at Wheaton College (MA) and she was a Peer Advisor during her senior year; she thought everyone should study abroad, and distinctly recalls saying “I don’t know what one does, but one day I want to work with study abroad programs.” After obtaining her M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from Suffolk University, she entered the international education field as a study abroad advisor. Alicia has been a part of the Region XI Leadership and Consular Affairs Liaison (for Boston Spanish and Italian Consulates) Teams, and the NAFSA Academy. Outside of work, Alicia is usually plotting her next travel adventure in the U.S. or internationally…and her bucket list of destinations keeps expanding! The ultimate destination? Australia! You will also find her outdoors as often as possible (except in the winter), reading and at her local CrossFit gym.

Brianna Wamsher

Regional Director

Brianna is a Missouri native who holds an undergraduate degree in Global Studies and a minor in Spanish from Missouri State University. During her time at MSU, Brianna had the opportunity to study abroad twice: first a semester in Madrid, Spain, then a short-term program that traveled around Ireland for two weeks. After returning from her semester abroad, Brianna began working as a Global Ambassador in Missouri State’s Education Abroad office, where she discovered her passion for international education and desire to launch a career in this field. After graduating from college, Brianna worked in Admissions at Missouri State before joining the ISA & TEAN team as a Regional Director in February 2023. When she’s not working or traveling, you can find Brianna reading the latest mystery novel, on her favorite local hiking trail, or spoiling her cat, Mildred! 

Tylo Ward

Regional Director

Tylo is a Nevada local who takes pride in calling the breathtaking Sierra Nevada mountains his home. Currently based in the "biggest little city" of Reno, NV, he is eager to share his passion for travel and international education with his campus partners in the Northwest United States. Tylo received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Nevada, Reno in International Affairs and Political Science, and is currently working on completing a master’s Degree in Political Science from the same university. As an undergraduate student, Tylo was determined to explore the world but faced financial constraints and juggled going to both school and working full-time, making him hesitant to pursue his dreams. However, with the unwavering support and encouragement of the study abroad staff at his university, Tylo embarked on a life-changing faculty-led program in Istanbul, Turkey. This experience ignited a newfound passion for travel and experiential learning, and he subsequently enrolled in a summer study abroad program in Cork, Ireland, leading him to switch his major to pursue his interests in conflict resolution public diplomacy. With over five years of experience working in international and higher education, Tylo has advanced his skills in the areas of partnership development, student outreach, and program management and advising. He has also cultivated a deep appreciation for sustainable travel, cultural immersion, and accessibility in international education while traveling to over 25 countries across four continents. He has used his skills and personal travel experiences to establish authentic connections with students in order to encourage them to pursue international education opportunities. Tylo continues to advocate, promote, and implement initiatives to make studying abroad more inclusive and accessible to all students. Tylo is excited to join the WorldStrides team, bringing his unwavering commitment to supporting the organization's mission of creating transformative educational experiences. His aim is to assist our campus partners in promoting affordable and high-impact opportunities for their students. With his impressive global personal and professional experiences and his passion for experiential education, Tylo is eager to help create life-changing experiences for students at his partner campuses. 

Dominique Washington

Regional Director

Dominique grew up in a small town in New Jersey but was always eager to explore new cultures, foods, and destinations. Her first international travel experience was to Austria and the Czech Republic at the age of 13 with the choir she spent 10 years singing with. After spending 3 weeks traveling to various cities throughout the two countries, Dominique wanted to keep learning about new cultures and people, and the best way to do that was to travel. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Arizona, and while there, she spent a semester at the University of Sydney in Sydney, Australia as an exchange student. She spent nearly 2 years working for UA’s Study Abroad Office after returning from Sydney which gave her the courage to pursue her Masters Degree in International Education at NYU after graduating. After earning her Masters Degree, Dominique spent time at the University of Texas at Arlington as the Study Abroad Advisor where she helped students find the best program that would benefit their academic, professional, and personal goals. She is now the Regional Director (TX, NM & LA) for ISA and TEAN and is excited to continue working with higher education institutions. Dominique is passionate about providing an inclusive experience for students and wants to continue dedicating her time to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives to ensure students from all backgrounds have equal opportunities for cultural and global awareness and growth.

Gabrielle Taylor

Regional Director

Gabrielle is a Birmingham, Alabama, native who has had a love of cultures and languages ever since she learned how to sing “Silent Night” in German in 2^nd grade. She studied Telecommunication and Film at the University of Alabama with a minor in German. However, it was after participating in the Fulbright U.S. Scholars program as an English Teaching Assistant in Germany that she fell in love with international education. It was there that she saw the impact of cultural exchange and how opportunities abroad can grow a person’s confidence and global perspective and wanted to find ways to share that with others. Prior to joining Worldstrides, Gabrielle was an education abroad advisor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham for 3 years, cultivating her advising skills and helping students to take advantage of study abroad opportunities on campus; before that, she taught and tutored Beginner German during and after receiving her master’s degree in German Studies at the University of Kentucky. Gabrielle is loving the full circle moment of returning to her alma mater to assist students and faculty/staff with finding and creating programs abroad and experience the same international impact as she did! When Gabrielle is not helping others at The University of Alabama’s embedded office, you can find her taking walks with her dog, Baxter, roller skating, planning her next trip abroad, and watching her favorite Korean dramas for the millionth time.

Kate Hermsmeyer

Regional Director

Kate is a DC native who has been in the field of international education for about three years. Being a part of a military family, she grew up traveling and experiencing different parts of the world, which sparked her love of travel. She earned an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Elon University and a master's degree in Higher Education Administration from NC State University. During her time at Elon University, she was privileged to study abroad twice. Her first study abroad program was a J-term faculty-led program to Peru and later that year she spent a semester in Florence, Italy. These experiences were nothing short of life changing and ignited her passion for the field of study abroad. After finishing her master's degree, she began working as an Education Abroad Advisor at Davidson College. She then began her position as Regional Director for ISA & TEAN in August 2024. When she is not working or planning her next trip, she enjoys spending time with friends, perfecting her drawing skills, reading mystery novels, and binging reality TV shows.

Mack Conlon

Embedded Regional Director

Growing up in rural Ohio, Mack took an initial interest in travel and culture from his dad who was constantly traveling overseas for work, bringing back stories from all over the world. That curiosity continued to grow through a love of food and cooking shows, and you could usually find him watching an episode of Bizarre Foods when not at school or sports practices. Mack graduated from Otterbein University twice, earning his undergraduate in International Business and Management, followed closely by an MBA. He spent the beginning of his professional career as a Track and Field Coach at his alma mater before recently deciding to take the plunge into international education. Fueled by a phenomenal internship to Tanzania, as well as prior experience with nonprofits in Kenya and Eswatini, he truly wanted to continue making an impact in student’s academic and personal experiences. Based in Columbus, he can usually be found spending time with his wife and two dogs or covered in sand from triple jumping at the local track.

Alonso De La Fuente

Associate Vice President, Academic Records

As a Texas native who lived in Mexico for several years, Alonso developed an interest for cultures and languages at an early age. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin where he attained a Bachelor's in Hispanic Studies and in Latin American Studies with a focus in business and economics. While at UT Austin, he studied at Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM)-Mexico City for two summers where he had the opportunity to interact and learn from students from all around the world. A self-proclaimed foodie, Alonso also enjoys weightlifting, the hike and bike trail, HIIT, and spending time with friends and his beagle and miniature Goldendoodle. With over 14 years at ISA, Alonso is a firm believer that study abroad is essential to become a global citizen.

Michelle Dippold

Assistant Director, Curriculum and Academics

Born and raised in Central Ohio, Michelle received an Individualized B.A. in Environmental Sociology from Otterbein University and an M.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of South Carolina. Despite being an avid solo traveler, she didn't collect most of her passport stamps until her late 20s. Now a self-proclaimed expert in optimizing 48-72 hours at a destination, she is always planning the next adventure. As an international educator who "tripped and fell" into the field, she is passionate about designing experiences that align with students' long-term personal and professional goals. In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time outdoors (in moderation), supporting local businesses, and conspiring to take over the world with her cat.

Israel May

Support Specialist, Academic Records and Affairs

Born and raised in Mérida, Yucatán , Israel double majored in Accounting and History. In 2020 he moved to the UK where he fell in love with traveling. During his time abroad, he had the opportunity to explore plenty of British small villages and cities where he experienced the local culture and traditions. In 2022, he joined WorldStrides with the goal of helping students have the best educational experience abroad. When he’s not busy trying to brew the perfect cup of coffee, Israel enjoys spending time with his family and friends, reading The Lord of the Rings...again, watching movies, and keeping up with the latest tech news.

Danielle Ricci

Financial Affairs Coordinator

Born and raised near Chicago, Danielle has always loved learning about different cultures. In 2021, Danielle studied abroad in Florence, Italy where her passion for travel and language grew even more. She received her B.A. in TESOL from Liberty University, and through that, she has been able to pursue not only her love for travel but also her love for education. With her degree, she has been able to live and work in two different countries, Spain and Kosovo. Danielle has only been to 11 countries but plans on seeing a lot more. Having studied and lived overseas, she is excited to help others continue their education while being able to explore and grow as a person. During her free time, she loves to read, walk her dog, ice skate, and play volleyball.

Andrea Mendez

Outreach Manager

Andrea was born in Mexico City but raised in Vienna, Austria. At the age of 18 she moved back to Mexico City where she studied Graphic Design. After several years of working as a graphic designer for advertising agencies in Mexico City, she moved to the state of Yucatan to start a new life. Her destiny decided to place her with a local DMC. This is how her journey in Tourism started and continued up until today. In 2012 she joined Explorica by WorldStrides and moved to the Higher Ed Division in 2017. She has traveled all around Europe with family and friends and has also visited other places in the U.S., Africa, Australia & Costa Rica. Thus far, Namibia and Tavanipupu in the Solomon Islands have been her favorite adventure destinations outside her home country of Mexico. She believes that traveling is a life-changing experience, which is why she thinks that studying abroad should be on everyone's bucket list. In her free time, she enjoys mediation (she is a Kundalini Yoga teacher) and also being in nature while exploring cenotes around the Yucatan.

Iriz Delgadillo

Outreach Support Team Lead

Iriz was born and raised in Mexico City. Her love for culture, history, and language started ever since she was little, while listening to her grandmother’s stories about her travels abroad, the way she explored archeological places and all the wonders she discovered all around the world. While growing up, her parents took her and her brother in endless road trips to several places around México, getting to know every little town on the road, archeological places, museums, people, customs and more. She loves learning languages and looks forward to traveling abroad, meeting new places and cultures, and share that passion with everyone else. On her free time, she enjoys reading, listening to music and writing.

Angelica Arvizu

Program Advisor

Angelica was born in Poza Rica, Veracruz, but has lived in Mérida, Yucatán most of her life. She studied Biotechnology Engineering at the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán. She's passionate about the health area and would like to continue learning related things to be able to teach others how beautiful science is. During her time as a volunteer in the vaccination campaign against Covid-19, she realized that she really likes helping people, so in the future she would like to develop skills to give the best of herself to others. She wants help students live a once-in-a-lifetime experience that brings them closer to fulfilling their dreams. In her free time she likes to listen to music, read, swim, and cook. She has visited other states in Mexico such as Sonora, Veracruz, Chiapas and Puebla. In the future she would like to visit Italy, Canada, South Korea, Thailand and Japan, and if possible, learn about their cultures and languages.

Dori Ruiz

Program Advisor

Dori was born in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas and she moved to Mérida seven years ago because she always wanted to live by the beach. She has a degree in tourism management and is very passionate about international culture and knowledge sharing from different countries. She always wanted to travel abroad and has been to 10 countries around the world so far. She used to work at an airline and felt a huge satisfaction helping customers. She is also passionate about living sustainably and does her best to help reduce environmental pollution.

Paola Vivas

Program Advisor

Paola was born in Mérida, Yucatán and has been living there ever since. Last year, she graduated from Biotechnology Engineering and has been working in the research field. During the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, she had the opportunity to be a volunteer. She realized that she wanted to do something to help people in a more direct way, that also allows her to explore something new. This job was a great opportunity to put that into practice and contribute to the promotion of knowledge and learning, one of her personal goals! In her free time she likes to watch TV, read, and spend time with family. She would love to visit are Ireland, Switzerland, and New Zealand. She hopes to help students have meaningful experiences and is looking forward to getting to know her colleagues!

Yahira Lara

Program Advisor

My name is Yahira, I was born in Merida Yucatán. I got a degree in teaching and that gave me the opportunity to move to Thailand for a year and a half. That experience changed my life because it taught me there is so much more out there and it encouraged me to be brave. I love to spend time with my friends and family and watching series. One of my biggest dreams is to travel around the world telling people how much Jesus loves them. 

Abraham Ferreyra

Program Advisor

Born and raised in Progreso, Yucatan. Living in a port town, tourism has always been a part of Abraham's life. When he was in high school, he took this interest to a new level, studying tourism and excelling as an English student. Apart from school, Abraham always shown interest in knowing other cultures, languages and to discover all the interesting things that are out there. After receiving his degree in Modern Languages, he started working as an English teacher for kids, an experience he really appreciated. He was also an independent tourist guide at Xcambo Archaeological site, where he had contact with a lot of people from all around the world, getting to know a little of their different cultures, accents, and ways of living. He spends his free time watching movies, listening to music, and making prints with optical illusions.

Victor Estrada

Program Advisor

Born in Tamaulipas near the border, Victor has been in contact with different cultures since he was a kid. He moved to Veracruz in his late childhood and then to Merida when he was a teenager. He is very familiar with living and moving to different places. He has had the opportunity to travel around the country while visiting his family. His dad was a chess champion who taught him how to play, think analytically, and stay three steps ahead of the game. Victor chose to pursue a bachelor’s in education. During that time, he realized he wanted to be a high school teacher to help educate hundreds of students and serve in counseling them. For him, the idea of education has been the key to help and improve the lives of students everywhere. He is passionate about learning from other cultures, especially their history, language, and food. He is particularly interested in the Japanese language and culture. During his free time, he enjoys reading books, comics, and manga. He is a big enthusiast about cinema, comedy, and music.

Yisel Mengelle

Program Advisor

Born and raised in Merida, Yucatan, Yisel is passionate about science and has a degree in Biotechnology engineering from the Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan. When she started college, she began to give tutoring classes to elementary and middle school students, she loves working with them! She also has a passion for different cultures and places, which is why she is very interested in languages, such as Japanese and Korean. She had the chance to participate with students from USA in programs and events in her home university, and that marked her heart making her want to continue meeting people from all around the world. Yisel also enjoys traveling, which has led her to visit various states of Mexico, always carrying a camera with her to capture each landscape. During her free time, she's always making art and crafts while listening to music, mostly k-pop!

Cristy Sabido

Program Advisor

Born and raised in Merida, Mexico, Cristy has been interested in the English language since she was in kindergarten. She's had the opportunity to live, work, and study abroad twice: first, in Denver, Colorado, and later in Houston, Texas, the city her soul fell in love with. She has also explored multiple cities within Mexico and a few other countries. The different experiences, cultures, and traditions she's been part of have helped her build her character and grow her love for people. During her free time, she enjoys dancing, singing, cooking, and having a good conversation over a cup of coffee or tea with her friends. Cristy is excited to help you discover the adventure that fits you the best, so you can get the most out of your experience!

Cristian Barragan

Outreach Support

Cristian is passionate about sports and making new friends. He studied accounting for a year and graduated from the university as a physical education teacher. This sparked his interest in teaching and his fundamental contribution to peoples' lives. His favorite hobbies are watching and playing sports, going to the gym and watching anime. Recently, together with his best friends, they created a podcast where they talked about the events of everyday life. In his spare time he drives a taxi and practices his second language, which is English, since many foreigners arrive in his hometown, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.

Alessandra Diaz

Program Advisor

Born in Tabasco, Alessandra moved to Savannah, Georgia at the age of five, from there her love for sports and languages was born, time later she moved to Merida, Yucatan only with her mother. Her mother always encouraged her to continue practicing English. She finished high school with French as a third language and with the idea of studying administration was her new academic goal. She enjoys practicing baseball, reading, and drawing. She currently practices photography as a hobby and would like to open a page where the publications are based on the different archaeological areas of Merida.

Itzel Valle

Outreach Support

Passionate in poetic photography and interdisciplinary studies, as well as literature and linguistics, Itzel was born in Merida, Yucatan. She had the opportunity to travel across multiple Mexico cities, USA, South America and Europe due to her father’s job, an aviator pilot. This grew Itzel’s perspective on how language delimits the borders of our world and what we know and how we know it determines our understanding of it, as Wittgenstein once said. Experienced different cultures made her realize the encounter between two worlds, between two languages opens new paths of understanding. Exploring this encounter in literature and visual arts has made her found other ways to understand herself.

Hetsel Abrajan

Outreach Support

Having lived in Merida all her life, Hetsel had always been drawn to languages. She believes that clear communication is an important part of life, understanding each other better improves every social interaction, leading to better unity within a community. With this idea applied to a bigger picture, learning another language is not just a way to speak to a person across the world but also to understand their culture, social context, and circumstances, ultimately leading to learning empathy, humility, and awareness. With this idea in mind, she aims to learn as many languages as possible and become a translator. She looks forward to helping encourage the learning of different cultures and mindsets. It's on her travel bucket list to visit South Korea to learn more about K-pop and Korean culture, and London to visit the Sherlock Holmes Museum at 221B Baker Street. During her free time, she continues to self-learn more languages and paint. 

Iveth Campos

Program Advisor

Born and raised in Merida, Yucatan, since Iveth was a child, she started to study English and developed a special interested in languages and the travel industry, that is why she studied Tourism in the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán and developed a path with special interest in travel agencies and educational experiences. She lived in the USA for 2 years and experienced an international experience working during an internship. She enjoyed participating in different activities such as volunteering, learning experiences and cultural programs. And loves to travel, explore new places and explore new activities. She believes that by seeing the world and experience it, we can understand it. 

Andrea Perez

Program Advisor

Andrea was born and raised in Merida, Yucatan. She loves to travel and experience new cultures. Since she was a little girl, she asked her parents to play movies and music in English. When she was 18, she moved to Raleigh, North Carolina to be an au pair. She lived there for 3 years and it was one of the best and greatest learning experiences. She traveled around the East Coast and found it so interesting to see how many different cultures there are between states. One of her favorite places was Nashville, Tennessee! During her free time, she enjoys working out, hanging out with friends and loved ones. She cares about people and loves to be there for people when they need her. Because she was an exchange student, she can talk on and on about why other students or people should go out of their comfort zone and travel. Her dream destinations are Hawaii and any part of Europe.

Shelly Alfaro

Director, Alumni Relations

A Houston native, Shelly had the privilege of first traveling out of the States to visit her family in Mexico at a very young age. Growing up in an immigrant household sparked her curiosity for learning about different cultures and systems. She was the first in her family to go to college and received her bachelor's degree in International Relations from Texas State University in 2015. During her undergraduate career, Shelly had the opportunity to study abroad with ISA for a semester in Paris, France where she learned the value and complexity of holding both Mexican and American identities and how these are perceived in different parts of the world and by others. Eager to share her adventures from France, she participated in the ISA Global Ambassador program and served as a Texas State University Study Abroad Peer Advisor before graduation. She later joined the ISA team in 2016 as an Academic Records Coordinator and then served as a Senior Regional Director for NAFSA Region IV and V (IL, MI, MO, and WI). In this role, Shelly has had the opportunity to present at several conferences including NAFSA Region V and Diversity Abroad. Shelly developed a passion for increasing the participation of underserved students and fostering inclusive spaces in education abroad. She now serves as the Director for Alumni Relations for WorldStrides Higher Education, helping returnees unpack their experiences and define their stories and goals. Shelly also serves as the Co-Chair for the WorldStrides Latinx Employee Resource Group, Caminamos Juntos. In her free time, you can find Shelly comparing flight prices for her next adventure, watching live music somewhere in Austin, or out on the lake during the summer.

Anikka Ferro

Alumni Relations Coordinator

Growing up in Memphis, Tennessee, Anikka always dreamed of breaking out of her small bubble to experience the many excitements of the world. Anikka's love of travel was sparked in early childhood, as she had the opportunity to visit the Philippines yearly to see her grandparents. Upon graduating high school, she moved to California and attended Berkeley City College, where she received her associate's degrees in Sociology and Economics. This study of sociology further influenced her curiosity about the world as she became fascinated by human behaviors and socio-cultural problems. Anikka then transferred to the University of California, Irvine, to complete her bachelor's degree in Business Economics. In her final semester of college, she participated in TEAN's study abroad program in Seoul, South Korea. This experience was very rewarding and left a strong impression on her personal and professional growth. In her free time, Anikka enjoys drawing, playing video games, and golfing.

Jordan Harrison

Alumni Relations Coordinator

After growing up in the small town of Vail, CO, Jordan sought a change of pace in lifestyle and moved to London to attend university and study World History. While based in London, he was able to visit a large portion of western and central Europe, as well as Morocco. Every trip, even if just a brief weekend getaway, furthered his interest in history, travel, and in learning a bit about cultures he lacked previous exposure to. Missing the mountains in London, he transferred to the University of Colorado Boulder, where he eventually obtained a BA in Philosophy. His last semester of university was spent with ISA in Sevilla, Spain, practicing his Spanish and soaking up a lot of sun. He also spent the ensuing summer in Berlin. In his free time, Jordan likes to ski, go camping, and play the bass guitar.

Kristine Barer

Director, Internships & Service-Learning

Hailing from San Jose, CA and eager to explore the world, Kristine studied abroad in Durham, England and Lund, Sweden before graduating from Santa Clara University in 2006 with a B.A. in Communication. Prior to joining ISA in 2011, Kristine lived and worked in Australia and South Korea. In 2014, she earned her M.B.A. at St. Edward's University with an emphasis in Global Entrepreneurship. As a veteran of the service-learning department, Kristine is excited by the growth of experiential program offerings and models. Observing student progress and development from connections made with host communities abroad is what keeps her ticking. Kristine has traveled to over 35 countries and hopes to travel to at least 35 more.

Rachel Desmarais

Program Manager, Spain & Ireland

Rachel is the Program Manager for Experiential Programs in Spain and Ireland. She graduated from Indiana University Bloomington with degrees in Spanish and sociology and is currently pursuing her master's degree in international education from SIT Graduate Institute. Rachel is passionate about experiential education and has been lucky enough to participate in a number of experiential education programs herself, including teaching in Spain, serving as a Team Leader in AmeriCorps NCCC, and working as a field instructor in East Africa for gap year students. She now strives to bring experiential education opportunities to future students. In her free time, Rachel can be found playing volleyball and trying to memorize the lyrics to new songs.

Veronika Pesina

Program Manager, Australia, New Zealand & England

Veronika is originally from the north of the Czech Republic. As a European located in the heart of Europe, she always had easy access to international travel and has visited most of Europe. Last year she graduated from The University in Sunderland in the UK with a degree in Business and Human Resource Management. Thanks to studying abroad, she undertook a year-long Business and Hospitality Internship in Austin, TX. It was a life-changing milestone that completely influenced her life direction and helped her to permanently relocate across the world to Austin, TX. Outside of Europe, she has traveled to Egypt, the Asian side of Turkey, the USA, and Mexico and would love to explore more places in the United States and nearby countries. Veronika joined WorldStrides in April 2022 as an Executive Administrative Assistant and worked her way up to her current role of Program Manager for International Internships.

Andrés Suárez

Support Specialist, Internships & Service Learning

Hi! My name is Andrés, and I was born and raised in Merida, a small city in southeast Mexico, filled with places to see, people to meet, beautiful traditions and amazing history. I recently graduated from Law School here in Mexico, and one of my professional goals is being able to combine my legal background and my passion for travel. I’m also a big soccer fan and a history buff, which is one of the reasons I enjoy traveling and learning through traveling. Being born in Mexico, one of Latin America’s top destinations for tourism, I feel really lucky to have so many different places to see so close to me, and I’ve made it a personal challenge to see all of our 32 states before my 32’s. As for my international bucket list, my top destinations would be Norway, Scotland, Austria and Portugal, and I hope to be able to cross out those countries soon. I’m sure this experience abroad will be a lifechanging experience for you and I’m really excited to assist you through the awesome journey you’re about to start!

Kenzi Starr

Director, Veritas Christian Study Abroad

A born and raised Kansan, Kenzi grew up watching the Travel Channel and dreaming of a chance to explore the world. While attending Missouri State University for her undergraduate degree in Marketing and Masters of Business Administration, she was able to spend two separate semesters abroad – one in France and one in China. These travels revealed a passion for international education and for encouraging students to seek adventure and expand their worldview. One of her favorite ways to experience a different culture is through food, so she is always excited to try new restaurants, watch cooking documentaries, and recreate her favorite recipes at home. When she’s not dreaming about what’s for dinner, Kenzi enjoys reading and spending time in the great Colorado outdoors with her husband and dog.

Angelica Torres

Customer Support Associate

Angelica was born in Mexico City where she stayed for a brief seven years. She would then live in several other states before settling down in Monterrey, Nuevo León, where she has lived for 23 years. Having early exposure to the benefits of traveling, she has been passionate about multicultural learning from a young age. During her scholar years, she had the chance to travel around various cities in Europe and devoted herself to the practice of foreign languages, such as Italian, Portuguese, and German. She specialized in Hispanic Language and Literature at ITESM, where she attended from 2009 to 2013. She has since worked on different projects related to education and cultural broadening, such as tutoring Korean and American students interested in learning Spanish and Mexican culture or teaching both English and Spanish courses at various institutions. Currently, she is working with the WorldStrides team as a Customer Service Associate in hopes of continuing her professional growth in a learning and cultural oriented environment.