Celebrating the graduating Study Abroad student workers
The study abroad team is proud to recognize our graduating student workers for Spring and Summer 2025! Every one of these students has contributed greatly to our office and has made a positive impact on our students going abroad. We are so impressed with all of their work and are excited to see where they go on their next adventures! Join us in congratulating these fantastic students!
Lark Goodson
Lark is graduating with her bachelor's degree in Global Studies with an emphasis in Global Cultures, as well as minors in Spanish and Government & Public Policy. She studied abroad twice, once through the Spanish in Alcalá de Henares program in Fall 2023 and once through UA Costa Rica in Spring 2024.
“One of my favorite memories was playing late-night pick-up soccer with locals on a basketball court in a park near the university in Costa Rica. It was such a spontaneous, genuine moment that made me feel connected to the community. I built lasting friendships with local university students, and that experience captured what study abroad is all about—authentic cultural exchange and meaningful connection.”
Lark joined the study abroad team as a Peer Advisor in Fall 2024, helping prospective study abroad students start their journeys.
“I’m passionate about helping others start their own study abroad journeys. My year abroad was truly transformative—while I was initially nervous to go alone, it turned out to be one of the most impactful experiences of my life. I learned to navigate new environments, gained confidence, and made unforgettable memories. As a peer advisor, I love being able to share what I’ve learned and support other students in turning their goals into reality—just like UA Study Abroad did for me.”
After graduation, Lark will volunteer, with hopes to join the Peace Corps.
“After graduation, I plan to take a gap year to volunteer in my hometown before pursuing a career in sustainable development overseas. I hope to join the Peace Corps to gain hands-on experience in community development and work toward improving livelihoods and promoting equity on a global scale.”
Karina Daniel
Karina graduates this spring with a bachelor's degree in Political Science with minors in Global Law & Policy and Business Administration. Karina joined the Study Abroad team after being awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship.
“I started working here after being awarded the Gilman Scholarship for Spring 2024, which truly changed my life. The experience opened my eyes to new possibilities and inspired me to help other students achieve their own study abroad dreams. My favorite part of working in study abroad is being part of an evolving, supportive environment that constantly adapts to meet students' needs. I love seeing how this work empowers students to grow.”
Using her Gilman Scholarship, Karina studied abroad at UA Barcelona in Spring 2024.
“One of my favorite memories from studying abroad was getting lost in a local market in Barcelona where I ended up having a meal with a local friend. It reminded me how stepping out of your comfort zone often leads to the most meaningful experiences.”
For her next adventure, Karina will continue her education abroad.
“I will be participating in a master's program abroad. This opportunity was made available to me through the amazing mentorship and connections I received through the Study Abroad office.”
Andrea Chavez
Andrea graduates this spring with a bachelor's degree, double majoring in Physiology & Medical Sciences and Italian. Andrea studied abroad at UA Rome in Fall 2022, where she was also a Study Abroad Social Media Ambassador, sharing her experience online with her fellow students.
“My favorite study abroad memory is when I went to Disneyland Paris with all my friends and Karaoke nights on Wednesdays with students from AUR, my host university.”
In Fall 2024, Andrea became a Study Abroad Peer Advisor.
“My favorite part of working for study abroad is that I get to talk about my time in Rome while encouraging and helping students to go abroad.
For her next steps, Andrea will be in the medical field.
“After graduation I will be taking a gap year while working as an EMT and then I will be applying to Medical School.”
Brooklyn Nerby
Brooklyn will be graduating with her bachelor's degree in biology with an emphasis in biomedical sciences and a minor in nutritional sciences. She spent four weeks in beautiful Verona, Italy, on the Mediterranean Diet & Health program in Summer 2024.
“One of my many favorite study abroad memories is traveling with my class to the Dolomites for a few days, where we took class hands-on! We were able to meet and learn from many locals who owned olive oil companies, farms, and restaurants and eat the delicious food they offered.”
Brooklyn started working for the study abroad office as a Peer Advisor in Fall 2024, once she had returned from her summer program abroad.
“My favorite part about working for study abroad is being able to help students realize that studying abroad is possible! I love being involved with events and activities within the Study Abroad community and have the opportunity to share and hear others’ experiences.”
Brooklyn is headed off to a new state for her next steps.
“After graduation, I plan on moving to Austin to further my education to become a surgical technologist.”
Joseph Jung
Joseph Jung graduates with his bachelor's degree in Chemistry this spring. He joined the Study Abroad team as a front desk student worker in Fall 2023, where he helped students navigate both the study abroad office and the study abroad process.
Although Joseph did not study abroad during his time at the University of Arizona, he did live in South Korea for part of his childhood, making him an excellent fit for the well-traveled community of the Study Abroad office!
Joseph has committed to the University of Arizona for a PhD program in Chemistry, so we’ll hope to see him around campus!
Caitlyn Jodon
Caitlyn graduates this spring with a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology with a Multicultural Bilingual Certificate. Caitlyn studied abroad at UA Barcelona in Spring 2022.
“My favorite memories from studying abroad are spending time with the friends I made in Barcelona while attending a local church. Not only did I meet people from Spain, but also other people who had immigrated from countries like Bolivia, Venezuela, Peru, Colombia, etc. Getting to experience their culture, hospitality, and unique expression of our shared faith was an amazing to spend my semester abroad.”
Caitlyn joined the Study Abroad Team during her first semester of graduate school in Fall 2023, helping with the UA Barcelona program.
“My favorite part of working for Study Abroad is being able to support students who are about to study abroad though the same program I did. I also love the staff and student workers who have been so supportive!”
Caitlyn will stay in Tucson for her next career steps.
“I will be working as a speech-language pathologist at Tucson Unified School District.”
Teagan Watkins
Teagan is graduating with her bachelor's degree with a double major in French and Applied Humanities with an emphasis in Public Health. She studied abroad in France at UA Aix-en-Provence in Spring 2024.
“My favorite study abroad memory was traveling all over the world. My most memorable trip was to Essaouira, Morocco, where I got to sit by the beach, ride camels, try new food, and shop at the street markets.”
Teagan started working as a Study Abroad Peer Advisor in Fall 2024.
“My favorite part of working for study abroad is getting to talk to students every day and tell them about their options to study abroad. The best part is telling a student who thinks they can't go, that they can. I love to see their eyes light up with excitement about their next adventure. Another favorite part about working at study abroad is my amazing coworkers whom I get to see every day and share study abroad experiences with.”
On her next adventure, Teagan plans to go abroad again to Aix-en-Provence on an Alumni Fellowship.
Read Teagan’s profile as a speaker for the Global Graduation - Study Abroad Celebration
Kitzan Rivas
Kitzan is graduating with her bachelor's degree in Psychology with a thematic minor in Global Societies & Cultures. She joined the Study Abroad team in Fall 2021 as a front desk student worker, and in Spring 2023, she began a new role on the team as a Marketing and Communications student worker.
“I'm very passionate about global travel and anything international, but the people there are just amazing. My supervisors are amazing. Because of them, I was able to expand my skills and make a lot of friendships there. I met many amazing people I want to keep for a lifetime.”
For her next adventure, Kitzan will study abroad for the Summer 2025 session at UA Seoul in South Korea.
“I'm actually studying abroad right after college because I didn't get to during my years here and I was really regretting it. I talked to my coworkers, and obviously, they were always trying to push me to study abroad, especially since I work here. So I was able to do a thematic minor. I'm able to study abroad in the summer in Seoul. But then, after that, I want to get a job in either marketing or something related to international or global marketing. I'm also considering graduate school.”
Read Kitzan’s profile as a marketing and communications student worker for Study Abroad.
Kylie Becker
Kylie Becker is graduating with her bachelor's degree with a double major in Marketing and Business Management. She studied abroad twice, once at UA Barcelona in Spring 2023 and once at UA Sydney in Fall 2024.
“Throughout college, I've traveled to 35 different countries and 41 total in my life. I wouldn't change any of that for the world because there's no time like the present to go abroad. So that’s been so impactful and shaped many of my personal beliefs, values, career path, and things I want to do in the future.”
Kylie joined the Arizona International Marketing and Communications team in Summer 2023, focusing her work on Study Abroad content.
“Something I really loved about this job is that I could integrate my two main passions: marketing and cultural immersion. It was such a natural fit for me. I also really loved that I was getting to showcase students’ real, authentic stories. One of the biggest parts of my role was running the Social Media Ambassador program. In that, I got to see everything that the students abroad were loving and really helped them highlight their experience to other interested students.”
Kylie is off to Denver for her next adventure and is staying in the marketing and communications field.
“I recently accepted an offer to be a brand marketing specialist for Noodles and Company corporate, in their headquarters, which are right outside Denver. In the process for me, I was really prioritizing where I wanted to live. I am from Colorado originally, and so I knew that I wanted to be in the Denver area, so I was a little bit closer to family and home.
Read Kylie’s profile as an Arizona International marketing and communications student worker.