Meet the CETCA Team
Get to know the 2023/24 CET Campus Ambassadors (CETCAs)! Connect with these program alumni and learn about their experiences abroad—chat about classroom environments, local roommates, or even what it was like to intern in another country. There’s no better way to learn about studying abroad than to strike up a conversation with someone who has been there.
“I did not know what to expect from my study-abroad adventure to Taiwan. I was so full of enthusiasm and excitement to learn. Although I was afraid to be surrounded by a different language and make mistakes, I believed that everything would be worth it by the end of my study abroad experience. I understood time abroad in Taiwan would be difficult and not always fun. However, I was willing to face these new cultural and language challenges to learn from my surroundings, learn more about Taiwan, and learn more Chinese. Ultimately, Studying abroad in Taiwan was a life-changing experience, full of ups and downs, but I have grown so much from my time abroad. Besides, I improved my Chinese and learned much about Taiwan and its People. At the same time, I met incredible friends.” Contact Elsi >
“While studying abroad I learned to be flexible and to overcome challenges finding interesting solutions to cultural differences and celebrating our best moments. Our house motto: We’ll just play it by ear.” Contact Henry >
“Studying Taiwan’s rich history and thriving culture has opened my mind up to a slew of unique and diverse perspectives I am immensely grateful for. My original perception of Taiwan was warped by years of sinocentric news, media, and academic learning, so the ability to deconstruct my biases and form a new, healthy, and organic understanding of Taiwan through my own experience abroad is something I have come to appreciate since completing CET Taiwan in Fall 2022.” Contact Isaac >
“Life in Taipei as a foreign language student is challenging, but the support of CET staff makes the experience well worth it. Taiwan has amazing natural beauty, unique food, and kind people. This trip is a must for any Mandarin speaker.” Contact Jackson >
“The spring semester I spent in Taiwan was truly incredible. Given the chance to repeat this program, I wouldn’t hesitate for a moment. I had the privilege of fully immersing myself in diverse cultures, trying delicious cuisine, developing close friendships, and creating memories that will remain close to my heart for years to come.” Contact Molly >
“My year attending both CET Japan and CET Taiwan has been one of the best years of my life. Over those two semesters, I had tremendous personal growth. Living on the other side of the world got me out of my comfort zone and forced me to try new things. After a full year abroad, I am happy to report that I’ve met some of my closest friends, found some of my new favorite foods, and have so many fun and crazy stories to tell.” Contact Qi >
“My summer at CET Japan during the summer of my freshman year was the most transformative experience of my life. The bombastic environment of my childhood and adulthood that I had grown into was one that I, of course, didn’t expect when I had landed in Japan, but to say that it was culture shock was an understatement. As an Afro-Latino that came from Harlem, I expected myself to have trouble fitting in on the trains and during my daily interactions with store clerks or standing among the general public. Despite my anxieties, I was able to adjust to the quiet and respectful nature of Japanese culture (in addition to the delicious food!), fit into crowds with my study abroad university’s students, and create bonds that will last long past my summer. CET allowed me to learn so much not just of Japanese, but the people that I got to know during my summer abroad will always occupy a special space in my heart.” Contact Darwin >
“My CET study abroad was my first time leaving the United States. While I was excited to travel for the first time and put my language skills to work, I was also really nervous about experiencing a new culture and being in such an unfamiliar environment. My mind raced with anxious thoughts like, ‘Will I make friends?’ and “I’m not sure if I will enjoy it there’. However, once I began taking more Japanese language classes and started to break out of my shell, I met so many unique, wonderful people, and made memories that I truly will never forget. My study abroad helped me develop the confidence in my Japanese to interact with locals in Osaka, learn more about Japanese culture, and go to so many iconic places throughout the Kansai Region! I’m truly grateful for the experience and everything that it has taught me.” Contact Gabrielle >
“Osaka is a gem of a city and I’m so grateful to have experienced life in Japan. Throughout my time with CET, I learned about Japanese religion, Nara farm life, Japanese baseball culture, how to carve magatamas from stone, and so much more! My Japanese also improved in ways I never thought it would, even my nail tech in Umeda couldn’t believe how much more I could speak session to session! Needless to say, I can’t wait to go back to Osaka— it truly became a home away from home.” Contact Isabelle >
“My experience in the fall semester of Japan was one of the best things that could happen to me. CET did a great job of making me feel immersed into the Japanese culture. I got to travel to many places I never thought I’d go to before. I was the youngest in my program and despite being only 18 at the time. I learned how to live on my own, speak a new language at such a young age. Japan had taught me self-growth and showed me the world from a different perspective such as valuing time and to appreciating the small things in life. Lastly, another one of my favorite parts about Japan was going on field trips with my classmates. They’re friends who turned into family quickly. All of the memories we made in a small amount of time was something I will never forget.” Contact Maile >
“Studying abroad had always been a dream of mine. CET provided such a rewarding and fruitful experience. I was able to figure more about my goals for the future and make lifelong friends. The memories of late-night karaoke to Japanese tea ceremonies will forever be happy moments I can think back on.” Contact Rachel >
“On my plane back from Beijing, I kept staring at the window, listening to Chinese music and thinking about three things. The first was the realization that our world is so, so much bigger than just my hometown, my university, my experiences, my own intellectual and cultural framework. The second was a deep sense a longing for the friends, both American and Chinese, I was leaving in Beijing. But the third was an intense motivation—to see the world, to continue learning and speaking Chinese, to stay in touch with those friends, to strive to understand experiences and cultures different from my own, and more. I’m so grateful that CET Beijing gave me the spark that lit these feelings in me, and I hope that other students also get to have this incredible experience.” Contact Laura >
“My time in China was originally motivated primarily out of a desire to learn the language, but I came away from my summer with so much more. From formal classes and cultural activities to playing basketball with local students and losing at Chinese chess to strangers that I met on the street, my time in Beijing provided me with a unique opportunity to expand my worldview and build networks that I’ll hold onto for life.” Contact Quinn >
Europe
“I knew that I wanted to study abroad in college before I even started applying to different universities. When deciding on colleges to apply to the first thing I would look for was if the study abroad programs offered were a good fit for me. Since I was a COVID-19 freshman, I found myself apprehensive about leaving campus for an entire semester because I felt like I already missed so much time on campus being online. Therefore, when I found the summer study abroad program with CET, I knew it was going to be the perfect fit. Words cannot describe the amount of gratitude I have for the CET Florence program and the things I learned in my short time abroad. But I guess I can try- CET was holding my hand every step of the way of figuring out Italy, how to travel independently, while also juggling schoolwork, too! I grew so much during my time abroad, academically and personally, and I have CET to thank for it!” Contact Daphne >
“I studied in the CET Florence program in the summer of 2023. It was one of the best experiences of my life, I was able to meet so many new people and made friends that will last a lifetime. I also loved having the opportunity to experience a culture different than my own and the CET staff was nothing but helpful and supportive during my time with the program!” Contact Hailey >
“Prior to enrolling with CET Prague, I had never once travelled overseas, let alone relocated to a foreign country where the language, landscape, and history were entirely unfamiliar to me. I selected the program because I could tailor my course schedule to my academic needs and interests. By the end of the semester, I had not only earned the right academic credits, but had acquired enough Czech to seek out the saunas in Karlovy Vary, developed an unshakeable fondness for Svickova and Knedliky, garnered an unusual knowledge of Bohemian patron saints and artists, and, in the words of my Czech History professor, discovered a city that will always be my second home.” Contact Jonah >
Latin America
“As a black female international affairs major attending an HBCU, I just knew that this was an experience to jump into with open arms that would open my eyes to introspection and the expanding international conversations around race, sociopolitics, culture, and language. Overall, as cliche as it sounds, studying abroad is a rollercoaster. You jump into it excited and anxious, and once the ride starts it may throw you for a loop, dip you low only to bring you up high, but you get off the ride smiling and laughing asking when you can do it all over again.” Contact Maya >
“Studying abroad in São Paulo has had an immensely positive impact on my academic and personal growth. Through classes at a local university, walks through my neighborhood park, feijoada lunches, and new friendships, I have gained invaluable experiences that I will continue to cherish and learn from.” Contact Aidan >
Middle East
“I was surprised by how quickly I felt at home in Amman. CET Jordan brought me to a corner of the world rich with culture, history, and hospitality, and so many of the people I met in Jordan welcomed me into their community from the first moment I arrived.” Contact Gracie >
“The CET Jordan program extends outside of the classroom, explore the city, eat local food, talk to the neighbors and the local shop owner, make friends with the workers at your favorite cafe and create relationships with the professors and management, they are not there just for the academic experience. Spending time with the professors, Manal, Mazen and Ahmad outside of the classroom was one of the best parts of my experience abroad, do not be afraid to reach out to them.” Contact Lorenza >
“Not only did CET Jordan help me improve my language skills, but the support of my academic and personal community abroad showed me how I could immerse myself in a new culture and connect more deeply with a language I love.” Contact Rachel >
“With just a few words and an open-mind, I embarked on a lifelong endeavor of learning Arabic, and Jordan was the guide that showed me the first steps forward.” Contact Tomas >