Meet our Study Abroad Ambassadors for 2020-2021. These students are study abroad returnees who are available to answer questions and share their experience with interested students!

Jishnu Jayathilak (Jay)

Major: Communications with a concentration in Public Relations

Program: Cyprus

“I took classes closely related to my major such as Media Ethics & Law and Principles of Public Relations along with a work placement as a Public Relations Intern for a Sports Agency. The classes were typically larger in size when compared to Chatham and some professors had the habit of reverting to Greek when necessary for local students. All in all, professors were helpful and open to feedback even though classes were heavily focused on examinations rather than assignments and projects.

Already being an international student in the US, I felt that the experience abroad in Cyprus showed how American students are commonly percieved by Europeans. I learnt that my assimilation into American culture was not always the best thing in certain situations.”

Students can reach out to Jay via email at: jishnu.jayathilak@chatham.edu or through instagram: jay_jish.

Meet our Study Abroad Ambassadors for 2020-2021. These students are study abroad returnees who are available to answer questions and share their experience with interested students!

Walker Orner

Major: Media Arts with concentrations in Filmmaking and Graphic Design.

Program: France

“I think that studying another language abroad is a one of a kind opportunity.  I had traveled before my semester in France but putting the time and energy into learning while being immersed in another language and culture is a whole different type of experience. Learning French from the basics is one of the hardest and fulfilling things I have ever done. Language learning through immersion is unmatched. In just 4 months I was amazed to be carrying conversations with ease. The feeling of being confident in another language was something I had never experienced before and I owe that completely to the decision of to study abroad.

I was the only student to remain abroad during the pandemic ( I received special permission from Dr Finegold) but upon returning in June I experienced a significant amount of culture shock. My eating schedule, food preference as well as being used to speaking French 24/7 all made for a strange few weeks getting back. ”

Students can contact Walker by email at walker.orner@chatham.edu