Meet your Enrollment Specialist - Brittney Chesher

Where did you study abroad?

Brittney Chesher sitting on a rock wall in Belfast, Ireland.

I studied in Belfast, Northern Ireland for six weeks the summer between my junior and senior year in undergrad. This faculty-led program allowed me to complete upper division coursework for my major and helped me accomplish my personal goal to study abroad during college.

What is your favorite memory from your time abroad?

During a free weekend, a few classmates and I traveled to London. This trip was not in my original plans, but it was an incredible opportunity and together we learned to navigate traveling to a new country, using new ways of transportation, trying new foods, and exploring a new city, all while leaning on one another for support. We were even able to get tickets to see the musical “Wicked”. The whole weekend in London was an experience I treasure fondly!

Queue the musical lyrics: “Because I knew you, I have been changed for good”.

What is your favorite place you have traveled to and why?

A view of colorful buildings in Oslo, Norway.

Trondheim and Oslo in Norway. Having spent my early childhood in northern winters, I absolutely loved the opportunity to travel to Norway and be among the snow and the trees for a time. Highly recommend the experience of doing a floating sauna in the fjord (and yes, the cold plunge is a must do too!).

If you could go on any USAC program, what would it be and why?

I always wanted to do at least a semester or even a year abroad and learn another language, but I just couldn’t fit it into my schedule being a transfer student trying to graduate in four years. So, for me, I would do Lüneburg, Germany or Montevideo, Uruguay.

What do you like to do outside of work?

I love reading with a good cup of tea, finding the perfect vibey playlist, going for walks and being outdoors, and finding ways to make new places feel like home.

What’s on your bucket list?

Ride in a hot air balloon, explore more of northern and eastern Europe, and someday live in another country for at least a year.

What is a favorite food that you have tried while abroad?

Salt cod fritters on a plate in Lisbon, Portugal. I’m a big foodie, and I love trying new foods and learning about the culture and history of a place through food. For me, a few of my favorite food memories while traveling have been getting the “good” gelato in Italy after being taught by the locals what to look for in a shop, daily gas station baleadas in Honduras, and salt cod fritters in Lisbon.