Meet Our Spring 2023 Alumni Ambassadors

The Barcelona SAE Alumni Ambassador Program is a professional development opportunity for recent alumni of Barcelona SAE programs. Our Alumni Ambassadors develop and implement projects to promote study abroad on their home campuses, and have access to exclusive professional development workshops, individualized coaching, and leadership opportunities in the field of international education and beyond. Ambassadors serve as peer mentors for students interested in studying in Barcelona, and have a unique platform from which to share their stories, stay connected with their experiences abroad, and continue building an international network.

[image_with_animation image_url=”7313″ image_size=”regular” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” animation_easing=”default” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”]Peyton Kumpula
Illinois Wesleyan University

Peyton is a nursing student at Illinois Wesleyan University from Crystal Lake, Illinois. She studied abroad at the Barcelona School of International Studies (SIS) in Spring 2022, and her top recommendation for students studying in Barcelona is to take time and learn about the art and architecture. The city is full of beautiful buildings and art pieces that have incredible history! During Peyton’s time in Barcelona, the favorite food that she tried was croquetas. [image_with_animation image_url=”7316″ image_size=”regular” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” animation_easing=”default” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”]Riona Mactutis
Green River College

Riona is from Enumclaw, Washington, and studies at Green River College. She studied abroad at the Barcelona School for International Studies (SIS) through the Washington State College Consortium for Study Abroad (WCCCSA) in Fall 2022. Riona’s top recommendation for students studying in Barcelona is to visit the modernist architecture like Casa Milà, the Sagrada Familia, or the Hospital Sant Pau. She had no idea such a side of Barcelona existed before going there, and the mix of style, detail and colors were unlike anything she had ever seen before! A little known fact about Riona is that she was homeschooled as a child, so seeing plays and listening to musicals was a huge part of her education. [image_with_animation image_url=”7314″ image_size=”regular” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” animation_easing=”default” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”]Laura Benoit
University of Miami

Laura is a student at the University of Miami, where she studies creative advertising. She studied abroad during her junior year in Fall 2022 at the Barcelona School for International Studies (SIS). She is from Northern New Jersey (about twenty minutes from NYC) so she is used to maneuvering around a diverse, bustling city. She loved the culture, the architecture, the night life, and of course, the beaches in Barcelona. Laura’s top recommendation for students is to go to Plaça Espanya and then take the steps up to the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya. She guarantees you’ll adore the view and the art in the museum! [image_with_animation image_url=”7315″ image_size=”regular” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” animation_easing=”default” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”]Ronak D’Souza
University of Miami

Ronak is from Denver, Colorado and is a third-year undergraduate attending the University of Miami! During the Fall semester of 2022, he studied abroad in the SIS + Internship program, where he got to meet many amazing people and have the most unforgettable experiences! His top recommendation for Barcelona is a sunset hike (or sunrise, if you’re a morning person) to the Bunkers of Carmel because you get to see the best view of the fantastic city that is Barcelona. A little known fact about Ronak is that he has a twin brother!