Meet Your Enrollment Specialist - Stephanie Sietz

Where did you study abroad?

Stephanie Sietz in England. A group of people playing soccer in Bengaluru, India. I studied abroad two times, once in the United Kingdom and once in India.

My first study abroad experience was a yearlong program at the University of Kent in Canterbury, England. With my love for Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Pride and Prejudice, and Tudor period history, I had always dreamed of studying abroad in the U.K.! I decided to make this dream a reality and spend as much time as I could abroad, so I chose the yearlong program for my junior year of undergrad.

I studied abroad for a second time during my graduate program where I did a short-term Student Teach Abroad experience in Bengaluru, India. This experience gave me the opportunity to teach high school students at the Bangalore International School for a six-week experience. It was incredible to have an opportunity to study abroad again and this time take on the role of an educator to complete my student teaching experience.

What is your favorite memory from your time abroad?

Stephanie Sietz in a long coat with buildings in the background and snow on the ground in Poland. My favorite memory from studying abroad is when my fellow Californian friend and seven other Spanish friends took a January trip to Poland.

Being from Southern California and Spain, we were not accustomed to the snow or cold weather, so we were very much in awe to see snow falling and experience such cold temperatures with the coldest temperature reaching below freezing. Despite not knowing Polish, we had the most amazing time and met some incredible Polish people, tried some amazing food, learned a lot about the history and culture of Poland, and were able to honor those lives lost during the Holocaust.

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

I have been itching for a chance to return to Asia and would absolutely love to study abroad in Chiang Mai, Thailand! The culture, location, and courses make this program location a top choice.

However, as the Madrid Enrollment Specialist, I have to say that the Madrid program is definitely a program I would like to attend with the amazing courses in Museum Studies, Art History, and Spanish History, Culture, and Language being a particular draw. Also, the Spanish culture, cuisine, architecture make this capital city a fantastic program location to get a deeper insight into Spanish society and the role Spain plays in the European Union and international politics.

What do you like to do outside of work?

View of a paddleboard on Lake Tahoe at sunset. Outside of work, I love to go on long walks, hike, paddleboard, and swim in and around the Sierra Nevadas.

I also love spending time with my family and friends, binge watching TV shows, reading a good fantasy novel, dancing, and participating in trivia nights!

What’s on your bucket list?

At the top of my bucket list is a desire to travel! I especially would love to travel throughout more of Asia, including returning to India and traveling through Southeast and East Asia. I also would really love to travel to more of Eastern Europe.

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

One of my favorite foods while studying in the U.K. was the doner kebab. There is nothing better than a late-night kebab with chili sauce and garlic mayo! However, the best meal I have had while abroad was a fresh seafood feast that I had while seaside on the Mediterranean in Alicante, Spain. I especially loved the Pulpo (octopus) and Sepia a la Plancha (grilled cuttlefish) …yum!