CIS Abroad Blog

Q&A Spotlight With Program Enrollment Coordinator - Amanda!

Why are you excited to work for CIS Abroad?

I’ve always been passionate about study abroad. I had an incredible experience, myself, which put me on the path to becoming a traveling ESL teacher, allowing me to experience so many beautiful places and cultures. I’m excited to work for CIS Abroad because I want to help people have life-changing study abroad experiences that are affordable and engaging. I love that CIS is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, not only providing access to underrepresented students, but helping them navigate tough issues so they can thrive while abroad. And I really align with the company’s values – passion, fun, cultural curiosity, trust, and change & growth. From what I’ve seen so far, those values really shine through in everything they do. 

Visiting the Rio Celeste in Costa Rica



Describe a memorable moment from abroad

It’s so hard to choose one! There’s the time I swam in bioluminescence in Samara, Costa Rica; or the time I ate my way through a narrow and bustling street market in Kyoto, Japan; or when I experienced Las Fallas festival in Valencia, Spain. But a special one I’d like to share here is when my boyfriend and I did a guided van tour around the island state of Tasmania. We had recently moved to Melbourne, Australia to teach ESL and it was time for Christmas break. We didn’t have anyone to spend the holidays with so we booked a 5-day van tour through Tasmania. Our tour guide was an incredibly knowledgeable and passionate, yet goofy and sarcastic, nature and wildlife enthusiast (His first rule was if you see someone feeding the wildlife, punch them in the nose.)

When we hopped on the van, we discovered there were 17 other travelers with us… and they came from all over the world – Germany, India, France, China, Lithuania, the UK, Japan, the list goes on. Together, we experienced Tasmania’s beautifully diverse landscapes, walking through a GIANT tree forest, hiking the iconic Cradle Mountain, and relaxing on a secluded beach with turquoise blue water and red rocks. We encountered animals both in the wild and at a wildlife sanctuary including wombats (now one of my favorite animals - they’re so fat and cute!), wallabies, kangaroos (we had a kangaroo selfie contest), and had the great privilege of meeting some cute but vicious tasmanian devils (we watched their feeding time and they are no joke!).

These incredible shared experiences and our hilarious tour guide brought the whole group close together. And on Christmas day, despite our differing cultures, we came together as a group and cooked a meal in our hostel kitchen. It’s one of my favorite memories because we thought we were going to spend Christmas alone and we actually spent it laughing and sharing a hodgepodge of homemade dishes with 18 newfound friends from all over the world.

Amanda with her partner Tim in Sydney



What has your career path looked like? How did you end up in the field of International Education?

I graduated from Florida State University with a BA in Communications and English. My first job out of college was copy editing for the Seminole Tribune, the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s monthly newspaper. In this job, I learned a lot about the tribe and got to visit all their reservations, writing spotlight stories, covering events, and taking photos. It was a good job, but I knew I wanted to see the world so I decided to move to Costa Rica, my mother’s home country (pura vida!), to connect with my roots and become an ESL-certified teacher.

I taught English to all ages in Heredia, Costa Rica for one year and absolutely loved it. After that, I moved to Madrid, Spain and taught English to middle and high schoolers for two years. During my time in Madrid, I also did some freelance writing for a higher education digital marketing agency, writing articles about education technology. Then I moved to Melbourne, Australia to teach English to international students that came from all over the world to learn in an immersive environment. Along the four-year journey abroad as an ESL teacher, I visited more than 20 countries and connected with hundreds of students. Upon returning to the states I knew I wanted to progress in the field of international education and keep connecting with students, so I decided to pursue a master’s degree in international studies at NC State University.

During my program, I interned as both an academic advisor for NC State and a graduate assistant in the study abroad office at Meredith College. My grad program and internships only solidified the fact that I wanted to work in study abroad, and here I am – a program enrollment coordinator for CIS!

What does a typical weekend look like for you?

It depends. Sometimes I like to stay in and relax, maybe work on creative projects at home and cook a nice meal with my partner. And sometimes I like to go out and explore my city – whether it’s trying a new restaurant, going to a special event like a concert or art exhibit, or taking a walk in one of the many parks in the Triangle area. I also love spending time with my family and friends.

What are 5 words that describe yourself?

Empathic, Adventurous, Resourceful, Creative, Adaptable. 

What's your best travel tip?

Don’t over plan. Have a place to stay, pick a few major things you want to do, and then just get lost in the beauty of it all. If you plan too many activities, you miss out on stumbling into the most wonderful things that you’ll never forget.

Kangaroos!



Why do you think students should choose to study abroad in Australia or Costa Rica?

You should study abroad in Australia if you’re interested in nature and wildlife. There are so many amazing animals and beautiful places to see. It’s also a great place to have a multicultural experience in an English-speaking country.

You should study abroad in Costa Rica if you want to learn Spanish in an immersive environment – the accent is easy and the ticos don’t speak too fast. It’s also a beautiful country with so much to offer – gorgeous beaches, lush rainforests, cities surrounded by mountains and kind people with a laid back lifestyle!

Hear what students, interns, and alumni have to say
BOLDLY COMMITTED to providing the best experiences abroad
While studying in Tokyo for a semester, I aimed to live by the quote: "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone." Because of that, I have gotten to experience incredibly fascinating things and meet amazing people. Tokyo almost feels like a second home to me now. I am immensely thankful for the opportunity to have experienced the beauty of Japan and its rich culture.
Kenae Turner
Elizabeth City State University

Based on personal experience from my home university, Australia does not tend to be a popular destination for study abroad, likely due to its distance. However, I am extremely grateful I made the decision to come here. The geographical diversity, numerous cultural representations, and major cities so close to nature make Australia a truly unique and unforgettable country. Spending three and a half months here will be an experience I treasure for the rest of my life.

Joshua Grossman
Coastal Carolina University
CIS provided a brilliant network of people so I never felt alone, and everyday was a new adventure. I got to explore a place completely different from anything I could have imagined. It was challenging navigating a new culture, a language I didn't know completely, and a new environment, but that was the beauty of it all. No one goes abroad searching for comfort, but you learn that comfort can be found anywhere, if you know how to look.
Alisa Geise
Virginia Commonwealth University
Studying abroad has allowed me to grow as a person. I have conquered fears, experienced new things, tried new foods, and met wonderful people who helped make my experience unforgettable. I am more confident in myself and the person that I want to be in the future.
Ashlyn Holmes
Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
Studying abroad in London has been an experience I will never forget. Living in a new country is something I think everyone should experience in their life. I've made so many new life long friendships I never would have unless I came here. I've also grown so much as a person and become more independent. The CIS team has been so supportive during the whole process. From applying to my program to arriving on campus in London. My site directors have been so helpful and supportive answering any questions I have. The social program activities were amazing and helped me see a different side of London than I would have without it. I will never forget this experience; it really has changed me for the better.
Katlynn Orloski
Michigan State University
Studying abroad changed my life in all of the best ways and CIS Abroad made it all happen!! Through CIS, I was able to make my first friends and integrate into the culture way easier than I would have on my own.
Amy Zochalski
Valparaiso University
My time abroad has been the most eye opening journey and I’m a more independent person because of it. I’m so grateful for all the experiences, friends, and memories I’ve made along the way!
Unlike many people on this trip who come with the intention of being a tourist, I feel like I had a different goal. I wanted to rediscover my culture and where I belonged. Being a hafu living in America and not fluent in Japanese, I was never really able to get in touch with my Japanese heritage. This trip completely changed that and I now have a goal of one day living in Japan for the rest of my life.
Dean Handler
University of Central Florida
The CIS program was truly a one of a kind experience. I was able to meet many students from all across America, attend several events (such as food tours or a trip to Kyoto), and make many friends. I would not trade it for anything. I am thankful I decided to study with CIS Abroad. Before this, I was thinking about just plowing through my degree, getting my master's and PhD, and immediately entering society. However, this experience changed my life. Through meeting many people from many places, and living in a new area for an extended period of time, my view of my own philosophies, culture and place of living, changed. This would not have happened if I stayed in the States. I would say if you are able to go, you should go. There is no time like the present.
Lexington Whalen
University of South Carolina - Columbia
Studying abroad in Japan was lifechanging! Embracing a rich culture, forging international friendships, and gaining valuable insights broadened my perspective, fostering personal growth and unforgettable memories.
Bricen Williams
West Texas A&M University
I knew I wanted to study abroad, particularly in Japan, because it was on my bucket list. Thanks to CIS, I was able to go to Tokyo! Even now, it is surreal to me that I got to go! I can't put it into words how much fun I had in Tokyo. I enjoyed every second of my time there, from walking around the bustling streets of Shibuya and Shinjuku, to going to class, eating delicious Japanese cuisine, and even going to the convenience store. Even the simplest things were incredibly fun to me. I was initially anxious about being homesick, my Japanese skills and traveling alone, but I'm happy to say that I very quickly made lovely, lifelong friends and was met with nothing but kindness from the locals. I learned not to let my worries get in the way of an opportunity of a lifetime. Thank you, CIS Abroad. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity I had to go to Tokyo.
Sada Chaudhury
Hunter College
During my time in Costa Rica, I took Intermediate Conversation and Cultural Photography at Veritas University. I really enjoyed how relaxed the classes were and how the teachers taught us not only Spanish, but also culture and day-to-day life. I was also involved in the biology lab here (BIOMOL) and had fun doing some lab work every week. I got to explore multiple places with my program, such as Manuel Antonio, Curubandé, and Jaco. I went surfing for the first time and got to hike some amazing trails. I highly recommend traveling to Costa Rica for study abroad; it is a beautiful country with beautiful people and memories to make!
Lauren Adams
William Woods University
I took Spanish for Healthcare Professionals and Conflict Resolution & Healthcare at Universidad Veritas in San Jose, Costa Rica. I really enjoyed how interactive my elective class was; the students often led the class by doing presentations on various topics. We also had a field trip to the local school. My favorite part of the study abroad experience was all the weekend trips. It was awesome to see so many different places in the country. My favorite trip was to Tamarindo and Curubande where I got to take a surf lesson and hike to waterfalls.
Faith Johnson
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
This past month I spent my time studying abroad in Sorrento, Italy with CIS Abroad. The opportunity of being able to study in Italy was a dream come true! From my peers in the program to Frankie and Kayla, everyone has been so open and welcoming. CIS has done any amazing job making sure I felt prepared for my travels and was available to answer my many questions. Without CIS, this opportunity would have seemed like a dream, but they helped me turn it into a reality. I have met some amazing friends and grown into a better person during my time in Sorrento!
Alana Bergin
University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa
I’ve always wanted to study abroad, even though I was initially very nervous since I had never been over seas before. But even my imagination could never have dreamed of the amazing things I got to see and experience while abroad. I didn’t get to just see all these new places but studying abroad allowed me to have the time to fully submerge myself into so many different cultures. I’ll never forget my time over here and I will forever be grateful I was able to experience studying abroad!
Mary Claire Vaughan
University of Alabama -Tuscaloosa
CIS Abroad planned a trip for our group to Orvieto for a weekend. It was one of my favorite things I have done so far. We got to make pasta dough and fully immerse ourselves in Italian family home culture.
Summer Megnia
University of Massachusetts Amherst
I had the opportunity to work with the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources Research and Development Center in Thailand as a veterinary assistant this semester. Their facility here is funded by the royal family of Thailand and is a rehabilitation center for turtles who have become displaced, injured or are in need of surgical procedures (most commonly abscess removals). Thailand is home to 5 of the 7 species of sea turtles: the Olive Ridley, Hawksbill, Green, Loggerhead, and Leatherback! I was lucky enough to perform blood-draws, give injections, restrain, do a series of radiographs, calculate drug doses and assist in an abscess removal during my time here so needless to say I am having a blast and learning lots.
Scout Aulenbach
Berry College
My Drawing on Location class spends most of our class time outside, learning about local history and drawing our environments, rather than staying in a classroom. My marine biology class took us on a field trip to a turtle rescue center, where we learned about their processes in caring for injured turtles. 
Hannah Chan
University of Massachusetts - Amherst
CIS Abroad allowed me the opportunity to explore new places and ideas, and make some great friends at the same time! I really enjoyed my time in Japan as it let me explore both new and old aspects of Japanese culture.
Mads Muraoka
Berry College
This was the experience of a lifetime being able to spend a semester in Rome. I’ve had the opportunity to be exposed to many new things, travel to new places, and make lifelong friends!
Corrine Drew
Kean University