Meet Our Student Team

Maryn Imus

• maryn.imus@wsu.edu
• Senior.
• API Barcelona, Spain
• Spring 2022

Hey! I went abroad for 4 months to Barcelona at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona in spring 2022. Fun fact, I was originally supposed to study in Liverpool where I knew the language because of anxiety, but COVID and WSU said no to that. So, in 24 hours I applied to a completely different program in a country where I didn’t know the language, and as a person who has a difficult time learning a new language, I was nervous…but it was amazing! I loved studying abroad because it allowed me to travel to new places like Amsterdam, London, Nice, and even Greece! I grew a ton during my semester abroad especially because I completed solo trips that really pushed me out of my comfort zone. I didn’t know anyone at all from WSU going with the same program, but I met amazing people and made new friends from all over the world. Connect with me if you ever have any questions about Spain, applying for study abroad programs, or how to search for a program.

Abel Mironchuk

• abel.mironchu@wsu.edu
• Senior. International Business & Marketing, Human Development
• Faculty-led Business in Greece

I studied abroad for 5 weeks during summer 2022. I can never sit in one place when going somewhere, so this Greece program was the perfect fit. We visited 7 different cities and saw many historical sites I had only dreamed about before. I feel like all I can eat now is Gyros from Yia Yia Nikki’s—just to get a taste of how delicious the Mediterranean food was in Greece. Besides food, which I have enough stories about, I have endless stories about the people I met and made memories with while in Greece. The locals are so nice to visitors and they will treat you like family whenever they interact with you. If you want to hear me nerd out about my trip, or if you’re just curious about honeymoon locations like Santorini (which I visited), shoot me an email.

Emily Nate

• emily.nate@wsu.edu
• Junior. Sociology, French
• Faculty-led Paris, France

I studied abroad in France through the faculty-led program “L’Art de Vivre in Paris.” I was highly anxious to go, but it ended up being one of the best experiences of my life. A few things that I loved were the delicious and carb-heavy food (I didn’t eat any snails), the rich culture and history of art, and getting caught in the rain on a roller coaster at an absurdly American-feeling fair.

Lara Palladino

• lara.palladino@wsu.edu
• Sophomore. International Business & Marketing, German

My name is Lara, and over the summer I was in Germany. I touched down in Frankfurt and stayed in the vicinity of Dusseldorf for 1.5 months. I got to visit Cologne, Solingen, Bielefeld, and Frankfurt, as well as a few little villages in between, which was so much fun! I’m fairly certain I took several hundred photos during my time there. One piece of advice I’d give fellow students studying a language would be to try and study in the country of that language’s origin because it’s such an immersive way to practice and perfect your oratory skills. In 2024, I hope to study in Seoul, South Korea, for a semester…so I am very much looking forward to and preparing for that.

Molly Petz

• molly.petz@wsu.edu
• Senior. Public Relations
• Faculty-led Epic Storytelling in Greece

Hello! I’m a senior studying Public Relations and I studied abroad in Greece with the Murrow department last summer, and let me tell you, it was the best part of my college experience. From the delicious food, beautiful scenery, and amazing people I met along the way, I wouldn’t change my study abroad experience for the world. We created a marketing campaign for a local winery and hiked Mount Olympus, and I have so many crazy stories I would love to share with you. If you have questions about how studying abroad can change your life, or just want to talk about traveling, hit me up!

Nicole Satou

• nicole.satou@wsu.edu
• Senior. Public Relations
• ISA University of Westminster, London
• Fall 2022

My time abroad was everything I expected—and more. I had the best time of my life traveling to new countries, meeting people from around the world, eating foods from different cultures, and exploring new cities. The best advice I could give someone going into study abroad would be to keep an open mind and be willing to try new things by visiting places you may not have wanted to beforehand, because you will find love for things you didn’t even know you enjoyed. Time flies by fast, so take each day in and take advantage of the activities and transportation around you. I grew as an individual because I discovered a new country all by myself without knowing anyone from WSU. I highly recommend going abroad without knowing anyone because even though it’s scary, it’s part of the adventure of learning about yourself and meeting new friends that you will create a lifetime of memories with.   

Dylan Steadman

• dylan.steadman@wsu.edu
• Senior. Communications, Business
• Greece
• Summer 2022

Hey everybody! I’m Dylan, a senior in communications and business (and the best peer advisor on the GL team…ok, not really). I’m only 3 months removed from the best and most hectic time of my life–studying abroad in Greece. I’m looking forward to helping everyone create these unforgettable experiences. Here to help in any way I can, even if that is just me sending you to the right person who can actually help you. Don’t be afraid to reach out. I hope to see you around our office or in the Global Cougs sessions. Have a great day and Go Global Cougs!

Lily Townsen

• lily.townsen@wsu.edu
• Junior. International Business & German

I studied abroad in Germany with a program called CBYX for 1 year. I plan on studying abroad during my senior year and hope to return to Germany again for a faculty-led study abroad program in summer 2023. If you want to know what to do when you get lost in a foreign country, ask me. I can be your guide on what not to do when you study abroad.

Annika Van Veen

• annika.vanveen@wsu.edu
• Senior. International Business & Finance
• Faculty-led semester in Brig, Switzerland

Hello! My name is Annika Van Veen and I am an International Business and Finance major. I’m currently a junior and I spent last fall semester studying abroad at Cesar Ritz College in Brig, Switzerland. During my time there I made valuable professional, academic, and personal connections (friends) that I will hold with me throughout the rest of my academic career, and into my professional career. I enjoyed traveling through Europe; I believe experience is the best way to learn about new countries, cultures, and customs, whether they’re related to business or just for personal growth. I have spent a lot of time in Canada living, working, and exploring, and visited Italy, France, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic while overseas.

In Canada I worked in the Tonquin Valley Backcountry as a guide and wrangler. I loved it because I explored the Rocky Mountains, talked to guests from across the world, and worked with horses (and got paid for all of it!). I’ve always been exposed to travel, and I think this is where my interest in working internationally was sparked. Outside of school I snowboard, ski, ride horses, hike, and try new foods or activities.

If you have any questions about going abroad, don’t hesitate to contact me.

Antonia Ventimiglia

• antonia.ventimiglia@wsu.edu
• Junior. Apparel Merchandising, Design and Textiles
• SAI Milan, Italy
• Fall 2022

Hi, my name is Antonia Ventimiglia, and I am a junior. I studied abroad in Milan, Italy, in fall 2022 with SAI. I traveled to Italy, France, England, Switzerland, Czech Republic, The Netherlands, and Denmark. My favorite part of studying abroad was meeting new people from all over the United States and other countries. I loved picking up on new accents and languages, trying new foods, and traveling with friends. I had an amazing time and recommend anyone do it! Please write to me with any questions regarding Italy, studying, traveling, etc.

Go Cougs!