Brazil
My name is Maddie, I’m 24 years old, and I was born and raised in Chandler, Arizona. Growing up in a multiracial/multinational family, I have always been interested in Global Exchange. I am always ecstatic to learn something new, so being in Brazil has been an amazing opportunity to broaden my perspective and learn more about the world beyond my understanding. Some fun facts about me: I love dancing, I LOVE karaoke (some of my go-to songs are It’s All Coming Back to Me – Celine Dion, Weak – SWV, and Love on Top – Beyonce), my zodiac sign is Pisces, my Harry Potter house is Gryffindor, I’ve been vegan for 6 years (although to be honest, here in Brazil I’m more flexitarian, HA), and to relax I enjoy having strawberry wafers with a cup of cashew juice, or going on a walk to enjoy the beautiful city of Sao Paulo!
Czech Republic
Molly Egar
(they/them)
CET Prague
University of Minnesota
Class of 2025
Majors: Individual studies in Japanese, Psychology, and Political Science
Minor: English
I love rock climbing and skateboarding and if there’s an aesthetic cafe I will find it. Exploring and traveling are definitely some of my favorite activities and I love writing about everything I find! I have a wide variety of interests such as fashion and music because I find that everyone’s music taste corresponds to who they are.
ITALY
ELLEN CHIANG
(she/her)
Brandeis Midyear in Florence
Brandeis University
Class of 2026
Major: Biochemistry
Minor: Studio Art
Hello, I’m Ellen! I’m an incoming freshman at Brandeis University. In addition to photography, my interests include hiking, drawing, and playing the piano and violin. I look forward to traveling and exploring Florence’s culture and history during my semester abroad!
Isabella Verga
(she/her)
CET Florence
The George Washington University
Class of 2023
Major: Organizational Studies; Marketing
Hi everyone! My name is Isabella, and I am a senior at GW studying organizational sciences and marketing. At GW I am a part of the food editorial and blog Spoon University, and I am beyond excited to explore the food scene in Florence and around Italy. In my free time, I also enjoy all things music, theatre, and dance (I am a dancer myself). I can’t wait to share my journey with you all!
Tessa Beazley
(she/her)
CET Florence
The George Washington University
Class of 2023
Major: Psychology
Minors: Sociology, Film Studies
Hi! I’m Tessa, a senior from GWU that is so excited to taste wine and frolic around in Florence (and hopefully some other gorgeous European cities too!). In general, I love boogying to dad music, watching movies in languages I don’t understand, and finding the hidden gems of wherever I am – all of which I am thrilled to do in Italy and to take you along the ride for 🙂
japan
jordan
Hi! I’m Andreas, I’m a Junior and Business major at Kalamazoo College. I’m half Brazilian and half Egyptian. I was born on Long Island, New York and I now live in Michigan. I love traveling the world, photography, learning languages, chilling at cafés, cooking, hiking, going to the beach, and listening to music (any other reggaetón fans out there?) I really like exploring cities and experiencing the local cultures of places I go to. I can’t wait to explore Amman, improve my Arabic, and share my experiences in Jordan with you all!
Emily Anne Griffith
(she/her)
CET Jordan
University of Missouri
Class of 2024
Majors: Journalism; International Studies
I love reading and watching movies, along with most things that involve sitting and being cozy. I grew up in rural Alabama, so the move to Missouri was difficult but I am sure it won’t compare to adjusting to life in Amman. I have been fascinated by Arabic culture for as long as I can remember, despite not having heard the language except for in American war movies before my first Arabic language class last year. I am super excited to explore Jordan with this program and I can’t wait to write all about it for the blog!
I am a rising junior at Kalamazoo College located in Kalamazoo Michigan. During my free time, I enjoy taking long walks, excessively binging sitcoms, cooking dinner with my mom, and enjoying the day at the beach (I am surrounded by the great lakes.) I am really excited about the friendships and memories Amman has to offer as well as all the Arabic I will be hearing all around me this fall.
TAIWAN
Aliah Lloyd
(they/she)
CET Taiwan
Grand Valley State University
Class of 2023
Major: Computer Science
Minors: Chinese Language, Eastern Asian Studies, General Business
Welcome! I’m Aliah, a 22 year old fifth year student attending Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As a computer scientist with three minors, two of those being east asian related, and ADHD, trying to learn a new language is almost impossible. Which is the main reason for my decision to join CET Taiwan. What better way is there to learn a new language than joining the intensive language program! Other than my education, I enjoy finding all kinds of things to try. Recently, I have been into digital art and experimenting with new culinary dishes. I hope to learn even more in Taiwan! Please join me as I share my journey this Fall in Taipei, Taiwan!
Andrew Romano
(he/they)
CET Taiwan
Clark University
Class of 2024
Major: Psychology
Minors: Studio Art; Asian Studies
大家好！I’m Andy and I’m studying abroad in Taipei for Fall of 2022! I’ve always wanted to visit Taiwan, and I am SO happy to have the opportunity to study at NTU and work on my (currently nonexistent) Mandarin skills. Back in the U.S. I go to Clark University in Worcester, MA. In my free time, I stay outdoors and read / draw / crochet ! I cannot wait to share the many MANY photos I will take with y’all 🤠!
Caecie Marie DeBlaere
(she/her)
CET Taiwan
University of Minnesota
Class of 2023
Major: Graphic Design
Minor: Chinese Studies
My name is Caecie Marie DeBlaere and I am a Senior at the University of Minnesota. My academic interests include Graphic Design, Language learning, and Cultural Studies. I enjoy meeting new people and trying new things. I love creating art and taking photographs, and I am an aspiring Graphic Designer and International Photographer. I am excited to explore Taiwan during my time there and share my experiences with everyone. Thank you for reading!
Elissa DeTellis
(she/her)
CET Taiwan
George Washington University
Class of 2024
Majors: Communication and Chinese
Minor: Photography
大家好! My name is Elissa DeTellis and I am a junior at GWU from Maine. I enjoy watching Taiwanese and Korean dramas, taking photos, and hiking. I loved getting to share my experience with CET Taiwan this summer as a blogger and am so excited to continue exploring Taipei and learn more about Taiwanese culture.
Elsi Muñoz Ramos
(she/her)
CET Taiwan
University of Mississippi
Class of 2024
Majors: International Studies; Chinese Studies
大家好！ I’m Elsi, a Junior at the University of Mississippi. I enjoy nature, exploring new places, and making new friends. In 2016, I moved from Mexico to the United States and began learning English in High school. Then, I became interested in learning about different cultures and meeting people from other countries, diverse backgrounds, and various life paths. My major is International Studies, with an emphasis on East Asia. I am thrilled to be part of CET Taiwan and hop on this new adventure! So happy to be here!
JT TITMUS
(he/him)
CET Taiwan
Middlebury College
Class of 2023.5 (it’s a Middlebury thing)
Majors: Neuroscience; Conservation Psychology
Minor: Chinese
你好! My name is JT, and I grew up in SoCal and Idaho. Nature is essential to the fabric of my being and is why I want to conduct research into how being outside affects our big ol’ monkey brains! I love to capture my perspective of wild and built environments through film photography, as it gives me a sense of our tangible interaction with the past. For example, I also love music, which I enjoy physically through concerts, playing my own music, and collecting records and tapes. I also love animals, because they remind me of who we once were, an enigma of the natural powers that have shaped the development of our species.