GREATER CHINA
![](https://cetacademicprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Blog_Beijing_Andy-Cheng-bio.png)
andy cheng
(he/him)
CET Beijing
Yale University
Class of 2027
Majors: Electrical Engineering, Computer Science
Hi! My name is Andy and I am a sophomore at Yale University majoring in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. I’m from New Jersey and am so excited to visit Beijing this summer (and hopefully improve my Chinese as well)! I am part of the Yale Men’s Club Volleyball Team and am a research assistant for a robotics lab on campus. In my free time, I love to listen to vibey music, cook (and mainly eat) food, solve the NY Mini, and do anything outdoors, whether it be hiking or rock climbing.
![](https://cetacademicprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Blog_Beijing_Juliano-Dantas-Portela-bio.png)
Hey everyone! I’m Juliano, a rising sophomore majoring in Computing & Linguistics at Yale University! I’m from Manaus, a city in the middle of the Amazon Rainforest in the north of Brazil. I’m very excited to start my program in Beijing this summer! I’ve been studying Chinese for the past two years, and I believe this is the best way to really immerse myself in the culture and customs! I love traveling and taking pictures, so this is a wonderful opportunity for me to explore Beijing and share some of its beauty.
![](https://cetacademicprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Blog_Beijing_Jalen-Walker-bio.png)
Jalen Walker
(he/him)
CET Beijing (Spring 2024)
Washington University in St. Louis
Class of 2025
Majors: East Asian Languages and Cultures (Chinese), Environmental Policy
Hi! My name is Jalen and I’m a junior at Washington University in St. Louis studying Chinese and Environmental Policy. I’ve been to China once before when I was in high school, and I’m super excited to be back with the opportunity to immerse myself even more this semester—especially as I do so with my camera in hand. Aside from photography, in my free time I like to read, listen to music, and watch my hometown Boston Celtics.
![](https://cetacademicprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Blog_Shanghai_Aurora-Brendtke-bio.png)
Aurora Willow
(she/her)
CET Shanghai
University of Michigan
Class of 2026
Major: International Studies PED & Asian Studies
Hello, my name is Aurora. I am a rising junior at the University of Michigan! I am a life-long learner, artist, fashion enthusiast, and aspiring polyglot. In my free time, I love doing philosophy, creative writing, singing, and studying Japanese or Chinese. I also love working out and healthy eating!
![](https://cetacademicprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Blog_Shanghai_Natalie-Chen-bio.png)
Natalie Chen
(she/her)
CET Shanghai (Spring 2024)
Washington University in St. Louis
Class of 2025
Major: Global Studies
Minor: Writing
Hi! My name is Natalie, and I am a junior at Washington University in St. Louis. I’m from Los Angeles, California, and am a third-generation Taiwanese-American. I’m excited to explore Shanghai this term, and am hopeful that my Chinese will improve in the process (I know my grandma is hopeful for the same)! In my freetime, I love to read—my current favorite authors are Hanya Yanagihara and Ocean Vuong—eat yummy food, explore flea markets, and meet new people.
![](https://cetacademicprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Blog_Taiwan_Ashley-Ha-bio.png)
Hi everyone! I’m Ashley. I just finished my freshman year at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee studying Musical Theatre. I am so thrilled to be studying abroad in Taiwan this summer, and excited to share my experiences with you! In my free time, I love vlogging, trying new food, snuggling my dog, and exploring new cities.
![](https://cetacademicprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Blog_Taiwan_Niklas-Gamble-bio.png)
Niklas Gamble
(he/him)
CET Taiwan
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Class of 2026
Major: Asian & Middle Eastern Studies
Hello! I’m Niklas, and I am a returning/transfer student to the University of Minnesota, majoring in Asian & Middle Eastern Studies with a focus on Chinese language learning. I am excited to study abroad this summer in Taiwan and improve my still fledgling Chinese language skills, as well as to experience the unique and storied culture of Taiwan. My hobbies include video games, tabletop gaming, and fiction writing. I have an interest in East Asian languages and literature, and am, at present, more proficient with Japanese than Chinese. I’m a bit of an introvert, but I intend to step out of my comfort zone to truly immerse in this experience—and to share it with all of you!
![](https://cetacademicprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Blog_Taiwan_Edward-Huang-bio.png)
Edward Huang
(he/him)
CET Taiwan (Spring 2024)
University of Southern California
Class of 2025
Major: Journalism BA
Minors: Cinematic Arts, East Asian Languages and Cultures
Hi everyone! My name’s Edward. I’m a junior at USC studying Journalism and Film, with an interest in East Asian Studies. I’m currently traveling across Asia before my program starts and am really enjoying hiking and videography as of late. I love playing around with my camera, watching short documentaries on YouTube, and in my free time I like listening to EDM in nature.
ITALY
![](https://cetacademicprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Blog_Florence_Mia-Hermansen-bio.png)
Mia Hermansen
(she/her)
CET Florence
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Class of 2024
Majors: Political Science, Strategic Communications
Minor: Digital Media Analytics
I’m Mia, I’m from Appleton, Wisconsin and this will be my first time abroad. I saved a humanities credit for this trip, and I will be finished with my education once my classes are completed! In my free time, I enjoy watching many Bravo reality TV shows, yoga, drinking coffee and hanging out with my three sisters.
![](https://cetacademicprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Blog_Florence_Presley-Privitera-bio.png)
Presley Privitera
(she/her)
CET Florence (Spring 2024)
Colby College
Class of 2025
Major: Biology
Minor: Italian
Hi! I’m Presley and I am so excited for my time with CET Florence this spring! I attend Colby College where I am majoring in Biology and minoring in Italian. I am a member of the Colby Dance Team, a leader for the Colby Outdoor Orientation Trip program, and I have worked as an Italian and Chemistry tutor as well as a Community advisor, and a research assistant on campus. In my free time you will probably find me reading a book in a coffee shop, solving the daily New York Times Games, or watching reality TV (my all time favorite show is Dance Moms). I love to travel, and freshman year I was lucky enough to study abroad in Genoa, Italy. I adore Italy, and cannot wait to document all the wonderful experiences it has to offer.
![](https://cetacademicprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Blog_Siena_Eliza-Ward-bio.png)
Eliza Ward
(she/they)
CET Siena
Meredith College
Class of 2026
Majors: International Studies, Political Science
Minor: Italian
Hi everyone! My name is Eliza and I’m a rising junior at Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina. I’m majoring in International Studies and Political Science with a minor in Italian. Fun fact, this will be my second time studying abroad in Italy! I traveled with my institution in the fall semester and stayed in the small town of Sansepolcro, and, of course, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and wanted to do it again. Some other facts about me, I enjoy traveling, learning new languages, reading, creating art, meeting new people, and getting tattoos. I can’t wait to share my journey and experiences with you all!
![](https://cetacademicprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Blog_Siena_Anjali-Mehta-bio.png)
Anjali Mehta
(she/her)
CET Siena (Spring 2024)
University of Virginia
Class of 2025
Major: Computer Science Engineering
Minor: Data Science
Hi everybody! My name is Anjali and I am going to be studying in Siena, Italy. I am so excited to share my experiences with you and hopefully offer some unique insights! I love animals, reading (mostly science fiction and fantasy), rewatching old sitcoms, and going on walks! I’m hoping to learn more about cooking, fashion and the arts during my experience abroad. I am most looking forward to making new friends and being outside of my comfort zone while in Europe!
Colombia
![](https://cetacademicprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Blog_Colombia_Karen-Garcia-Ramos-bio.png)
Karen Garcia-Ramos
(she/they)
CET Colombia (Spring 2024)
Pomona College
Class of 2025
Major: Chicanx-Latinx Studies
Hi! My name is Karen, and I can’t wait to share my experiences in Cali! I am a child of Mexican immigrants and was born and raised in Southern California where I also attend college, so I look forward to all the novelty and growth my time in Colombia will bring. I love learning new recipes, thrifting, expanding my CD collection, and all things Sanrio! I hope to improve my Spanish fluency while abroad and possibly explore my academic interests in traditional medicinal practices within Latine communities. I am excited to take you all with me on this journey!
Brazil
![](https://cetacademicprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Blog_Brazil-Business_Anna-hobbins-bio.png)
Anna Hobbins
(she/her)
CET Brazil: Business at FGV (Spring 2024)
Tulane University
Class of 2025
Majors: Latin American Studies, Legal Studies in Business, Spanish & Portuguese
Hello everyone! My name is Anna and I can’t wait to share my photographs from Brazil with y’all! I just spent my last semester in Ecuador doing lots of hiking, swimming, and biking so I’m excited to switch it up in São Paulo this spring. I come from an Italian family so of course I love to eat, cook, and talk about food- something I’m sure I’ll be doing a lot of this semester. So excited to document my journey improving my Portuguese (and maybe samba skills) and meeting new people these next few months!
Czech Republic
![](https://cetacademicprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Blog_Prague_Lila-Frost-bio.png)
My name is Lila Frost. I am a junior studying Fashion Design at Cornell University. Material culture, storytelling, domestic labor, and history fascinate me. I am eager to participate in CET Prague’s Jewish Studies program this spring. In my free time I love sewing and making things, going to museums, exploring new places, and spending time outside. This spring, I am excited to get to know everyone and familiarize myself with this beautiful city. I love reading letters written by other people so I am very excited to share my experiences through the CET blog!
![](https://cetacademicprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Blog_FAMU-Film_Olivia-Charis-bio.png)
Olivia Charis
(she/her)
CET Film Production at FAMU (Spring 2024)
Yale University
Class of 2025
Major: American Studies
Hi! My name is Olivia Charis and I am a junior at Yale University majoring in American Studies. I love mysteries, sewing, editing photos and short films, and painting! Outside of film, I’ve worked mostly as a journalist, learning how best to tell people’s stories. I’m so excited to document this semester of filmmaking, and I cannot wait to see all the beautiful things we make in Prague.
japan
![](https://cetacademicprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Blog_Japan_Nicholas-Yee-bio.png)
Nicholas Yee
(he/him)
CET Japan
Yale University
Class of 2027
Majors: History, Global Affairs
Certificate: Japanese
Hi! I’m Nick, a rising sophomore at Yale University! I am currently a History and Global Affairs major, seeking a certificate in Japanese! In my free time, I love playing volleyball, learning the guitar, upgrading my closet, and trying my hand at photography.
![](https://cetacademicprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Blog_Japan_Morgan-Green-bio.png)
Mo Green
(they/them)
CET Japan (Spring 2024)
Maryland Institute College of Art
Class of 2025
Major: Graphic Design
Minor: Experimental Fashion
Hullo I’m Mo! I go to university in Baltimore, MD where I study Graphic Design and Experimental Fashion. I enjoy gardening, hiking, and taking my dogs on walks. I also like knitting and going to cafes and museums. I’m so excited to be studying abroad in Osaka and learning Japanese.
jordan
![](https://cetacademicprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Blog_Jordan_Shahla-Abrahim-bio.png)
Shahla Abrahim
(she/her)
CET Jordan
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Class of 2026
Majors: Political Science, Global Studies
Minor: Arabic Studies
Hi! My name is Shahla Abrahim and I am a sophomore at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I was born in Iraq and lived there until my family moved to the United States when I was nine years old. Kurdish is my native tongue but I was able to pick up some basic Arabic when I attended elementary school in Iraq and after finishing high school in the US, I wanted to pick it up again because I think it’s a beautiful language. In my free time, I love reading, spending time with my cat, and telling my friends and family how much I love them. I’m so excited to be a part of the Student Correspondent Team and can’t wait to get to know everyone!
![](https://cetacademicprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Blog_Jordan_Silas-Bedell-bio.png)
Silas Gaughran-Bedell
(he/him)
CET Jordan (Spring 2024)
American University
Class of 2025
Major: Journalism
Minors: Arabic, Arab World Studies
مرحبا اسمي سيلاس! I am so excited to have the opportunity to join the CET Student Correspondent Team as a blogger for CET Jordan. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and I currently study Journalism, Arabic, and Arab World Studies at American University in Washington, DC. I began learning Arabic at the start of my sophomore year in college and saw just how useful language is to engaging new cultures, something I will have ample opportunity to do in Amman! I play on my school’s club basketball team and spend most of my free time playing or watching basketball (Let’s Go Knicks!). I can’t wait to arrive in Jordan and share my experiences with you all.