Letter from the Editors:
Welcome to life post-study abroad!
You are back home in the world of oversized burritos, amenities like ice cubes and air conditioning, and where age requirements are higher to drink, but lower to drive.
We originally had the idea for Life After Study Abroad when we both returned from studying abroad and realized there was nowhere to find answers to reverse culture shock. So we said to each other, “There needs to be an awesome, definitive guide for students coming home. We’re both recent study abroad students, we work in the study abroad field, we’re both dealing with reverse culture shock, and we both want to get back out there! Let’s do this.”
Our vision for this guide is an annual publication that students can access for in print and for free digitally. The publication includes several sections that will each take you down a different, unique, and amazing path to returning abroad. Included in each section, you will find ways to do everything from teaching English to kids in Africa, to interning for innovative companies in Europe, to volunteering with elephants in Asia, and more. Got a big interview coming up and feeling a little unsure in discussing your travel experiences? We have career advice to help you land that next awesome opportunity.
We hope you enjoy Life After Study Abroad and find the right adventure! Good luck in wherever your journeys take you!
Kate and Tonya
Editors of Life After Study Abroad
Tonya Tooley | Strategic Editor
Tonya studied international business at Colorado State University and has a diverse background in international travel, education, and volunteering. She studied abroad in Prague, Czech Republic during her undergraduate degree. She was blessed with the opportunity to volunteer in Jinja, Uganda, and has a passion for international education. The combination of these experiences abroad made Tonya a perfect fit to help start Life After Study Abroad. She now helps run Life After Study Abroad from the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Feel free to reach out to her anytime. Email her at tonya@lifeafterstudyabroad.com.
Kate Neff | Content Editor
Kate studied Environmental Studies with double minors in Political Science and French at Franklin University Switzerland (formerly Franklin College) in Lugano, Switzerland. She has additionally lived in Iceland, studied abroad in Chile, and spent ample time traversing other parts of the globe with her trusty pack. Having seen more countries than years on the earth, she has an unquenchable thirst for travel and exploring the natural environment. When not tutoring in French or studying up to become a science teacher through Colorado State University, Kate can be found drinking maté, doing headstands, reading, or living in her tent. Feel free to message her about writing for us by emailing her: editor@lifeafterstudyabroad.com.
Kathryn Kutchin | Intern
Kathryn is finishing her last semester at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with a double major in Economics and Human Development and Family Studies. She lives for meeting new people, trying new things and seeing new places. From studying for a semester in Barcelona, volunteering at an orphanage in Peru, and exploring South Africa, Kathryn can’t get enough of the extreme amount of beauty and opportunities that our world has to offer. All of these experiences have brought her to her work with Life After Study Abroad, thus continuing the love of travel that will forever inspire her!
Damien Samwell | Senior Graphic Designer
Damien has recently relocated to Colorado from the UK to continue his career in design ‘over the pond’, moving from the corporate world to an area closer to his heart, international travel! Damien has traveled extensively across Europe, Asia and Africa and if not assisting the Life After Study Abroad team making things look pretty, can be found carving up the Colorado mountains on a snowboard or bike.
Sebastian Makinson | Senior Programmer
Sebastian has a curious mind, and after traveling to Peru discovered the importance of travel. After university and a 6 month internship in the Philippines he has since become a tech manager at GoAbroad.com, he now works with partners to create innovative tech solutions to problems in the Study and Volunteer abroad industries. He also looks up to former content editor Noah as a father figure in his life and one of his biggest inspirations. “Noah is the coolest person I’ve ever met.”
Gabrielle Estey | Out-of-house Videographer
Gabrielle is currently a student at the University of Southern California, hoping to graduate next spring with a degree from The School of Cinematic Arts. Having spent a semester abroad in Paris, she loves being a part of the Life After Study Abroad team because she gets to relive and share her study abroad experience. After graduation, Gabrielle hopes to go back to Europe and backpack before settling down to a “real job”, whatever that means.
Of Importance to Our Publication:
Noah Peden | Co-founder and Former Content Editor
Noah is a graduate of Colorado State University where he majored in International Studies and Spanish. Having lived in Thailand, the Philippines, Brazil, Spain, Peru, and currently Mongolia where he is serving Peace Corps, he is one “international dude”. He enjoys pulling pranks, traveling with his stuffed pony, and says “20 years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
Adriana Smith | Former Distribution Out-reach Intern
Adriana attended the University of Florida with a double major in Criminology and Spanish. She studied abroad in Santander, Spain where she took the country by storm and saw snow for the first time in Picos de Europa. Post-undergrad she went for gold and got her masters in Spanish while living in Madrid, Spain. She has seen multiple continents and countries along the way. When not being extremely active with her hiking, kayaking, and water-activities, Adriana is tutoring in English and perusing cemeteries for dead celebrities.
