Study Abroad
TRIO SSS encourages its students to study abroad and explore a new part of the world!
The Office of International Programs at CSUMB can help you plan and prepare for a study abroad trip, whether it be a full-year commitment, a semester, or just a few weeks. They also offer opportunities for students to participate in an exchange program elsewhere in the United States.
Student Stories from Abroad
Check out some more SSS student study abroad stories, including where they went, how they acquired funding for the trip, and what their experience was like.
Angelica Victoria
Claudia Moreno
Deutschland or Germany, is more than pretzels, luxury cars, currywurst, and beer. It’s a country with a long history, a strong economy, diverse population, and equality. Before leaving to study in the city of Nurtingen in March of 2016, I did not set any expectations to what was going to be my home for the next six months because I was determine to arrive with an open mind. I knew that Germany was going to be completely different from what I’m used to, starting with the language, diet, and school system. But that is what made it fun for me...
Guadalupe Arias
Guadalupe Arias (Class of 2011-2012), is featured on the California State University's International Programs page. Every year more than 600 CSU students study abroad for a year. From them, Guadalupe was chosen to submit "Photo Essays" to share her experience during her time abroad in Spain at the University de Granada.
Jessica GarciaDePaz
The odds were completely against me and I can now say that studying abroad is the best decision I have ever made in my life. Coming from a low income family I never thought this was possible, financially or academically. I never thought I would be strolling around London, Rome, Paris, or even Africa! But here I am now! Mastering my second language and indulging myself in the European culture.
Eliseo Diaz
A dream of mine, that has now become a reality, was to study abroad in Granada, Spain. I had wished to study abroad ever since I started my studies at CSUMB. Prior to studying abroad, I thought of it as a once in a life time opportunity and even compared it to winning the lottery.
Tacia Williams
Spending time on the beaches of the Caribbean was not how I imagined spending a semester of my fourth year as a student but to my surprise, studying abroad in Puerto Rico was the most rewarding leap I had been willing to take.
Sugeyth Ronquillo
I was born and raised in the East Side of Salinas, CA. Straight out of high school I began to attend CSUMB. I always had the interest of studying abroad, however, coming from a low-income background I never thought going overseas was possible.
I attended a few study abroad informationals and finally decided to go through with it this year. With loans, financial aid, scholarships and money I saved up through working I was able to pack my bags and call Madrid my home.
Alfredo Davila
I went to the University of Hawaii Hilo for a semester. I made friends from Hawaii, Korea, Japan, and New Zealand; as well as friends from the east coast of the United States. I have and I am planning to visit my friends that I met in Hawaii and I plan to travel to other foreign countries.
Josephine Anne Castillo
I wanted to explore what the rest of the world had to offer. After talking to some of the TRiO Staff, I decided to take the risk and talk to Holly White, who is the International Program Manager at the Office of International Programs and ask her what route I should take in considering studying in another location. There were many schools, countries, and states I wanted to choose from, but I wanted to challenge myself by being far while still being a little close; that is why I thought Hawaii was my best bet.
Kyle Lipscombe
CSUMB student Kyle Lipscombe studied abroad in Japan for the 2012-2013 academic year. He provided us with a sneak peak into his overall experience as an exchange student in Japan. He uploaded 1-2 videos a month that discuss his overall experience as a low-income foreign exchange student in Japan.