Who are the Global Ambassadors and Global Dukes?
The Global Ambassadors and Global Dukes are the student voice of JMU Study Abroad! As study abroad alumni, we are passionate about sharing global opportunities with the JMU community. Our international experiences transformed our lives, and we are excited to give back by encouraging fellow Dukes to explore the world.
If there is anything we can do to help you prepare for your time abroad or to support you when you return to campus, please reach out. We are here and happy to help!
Presentation Request
Would you like a Study Abroad presentation for your classroom, residence hall, or organization? The Global Ambassadors and Dukes would be glad to assist you! Email us to get started.
What do we do?
As a team, we represent and promote study abroad at JMU. We assist the Study Abroad staff with events and programming throughout the year. In addition to connecting with the JMU community, we advise prospective study abroad students and their families throughout the application process and help them prepare for departure. We also host returnee events designed to reconnect study abroad alumni with their programs and offer workshops that help students translate their abroad experiences into strong resume and interview material.
Global Dukes are student volunteers who contribute to study abroad recruitment and support a wide range of Study Abroad initiatives. As volunteers, Global Dukes help with events, outreach, program promotion, and engagement across academic departments and learning communities. Global Dukes volunteer for 5 hours per semester.
Global Ambassadors serve as paid student leaders who work closely with the Study Abroad professional staff. Each Global Ambassador holds a specific assistantship aligned with their skills, experience, and interests. These roles provide targeted support for study abroad programs, oversee peer advising efforts, and assist with public outreach and engagement. Global Ambassadors also help lead and mentor the Global Dukes volunteer team.
We are not currently accepting applications for Global Ambassador positions. Applications for Fall 2026 through Spring 2027 positions will open in mid-March.
Volunteer as a Global Duke!
Was your study abroad experience transformative? Are you interested in sharing your experience with your fellow Dukes, growing as a professional, and working with a passionate team of study abroad returnees?
Join us for the Global Dukes Orientation session this February.
Tuesday, February 3 | 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. | CGE, Room 2001 (Holland Yates Hall, 2nd Floor)
If you're unable to attend the training, please email us for more information about how to get involved.
2025-2026 Global Ambassadors
Brooke Scotti
Semester in Antwerp - Fall 2024
"Hi! My name is Brooke Scotti, and I am from Harleysville, Pennsylvania. I am currently a senior Computer Information Systems Major with a concentration in Information and Cybersecurity management. In Fall of 2024 I had the amazing opportunity to study abroad in Antwerp, Belgium with around 30 other JMU students for the college of business COB 300 course. I still think about my time in Antwerp every day and how much it has helped me grow. Studying abroad gave me the chance to immerse myself in a new culture, try amazing cuisine, learn new history, and meet incredible people who became close friends. Exploring a brand city is intimidating at first, but Antwerp quickly grew to be one of my favorite places. During my time abroad, I learned to become more independent and adventurous, and confident. The educational experience through the Antwerp program is one-of-a-kind, I had the opportunity to visit NATO and the European Parliament which is such a unique opportunity. Antwerp and my time abroad will always hold a special place in my heart, and I am so incredibly grateful for all the education, experiences, and friendships it has given me. My advice if you’re thinking about studying abroad: Soak it all in. Say yes to new experiences. Step outside your comfort zone. Traveling is amazing, but even more powerful is the personal growth that comes along with it. Use the time to discover new things, not just about the world, but about yourself!"
Email: scottibe@dukes.jmu.edu
Hana Mahyoub
Global Leadership: Spanish Intellectuals Honors Abroad in Salamanca, Spain - Summer 2024
Represented the U.S. at the INU International Student Conference in Bandung, Indonesia - Winter 2024
Study Abroad at Oxford - Spring 2025
"My name is Hana Mahyoub, and I'm a senior Psychology major with minors in Arabic, Middle Eastern Communities and Migrations, and Honors Interdisciplinary Studies! My hometown is Fairfax, VA.
For me, travel is everything; it is history, identity, and experience. It is my family immigrating from Yemen in the 1950s, it’s who I am as someone raised between 3 cultures, and at JMU, it’s defined my education, considering I've spent 3 semesters abroad. There is just so much to see, experience, and know beyond whatever you’ve learned to call “normal,” including yourself! It’s for that reason that I believe studying abroad so decidedly changes lives. With the right mindset, it is at once incredibly humbling, grounding, and freeing. Search for that feeling in the small moments, lean into discomfort, take an interest in history and culture, and be aware that your mindset and belief system are not necessarily the gold standard! My advice: think big, look closely, and travel far."
Email: mahyouhs@dukes.jmu.edu
Megan Frigerio
Semester in Scotland - Summer 2024
"Hi! My name's Megan Frigerio, and I'm a Sophomore Theatre Major with a concentration in Performance, and a Music Minor. I'm from Miami, FL! To say this was a summer to remember would be an understatement. Getting the chance to explore a brand-new country and immerse myself in the food, music, culture, and lifestyle of Scotland is something that I wouldn't take back. In addition to the faculty of The University of Edinburgh and St. Andrews being just fantastic, the friends I have made on this trip I still text regularly and eat lunch with on the quad. Being thrust into a foreign country was no easy feat. But doing it with people who I knew would match my level of adventure made it all the more rewarding. Getting lost is the best part. Going down that small alleyway because I smelled potatoes or getting off at the wrong bus stop in the middle of the Scottish Highlands because it felt right are the things I'll carry with me the most from this trip. Talking with locals at the corner pub and petting their adorable dogs as they dish about the Scottish election is special. Going into a local church to watch a Gaelic song concert at 9 pm is special. Doing a spontaneous hike up Arthur's Seat in the early morning is special. Walking to the very end of West Sands Beach is special. These special moments make Semester in Scotland, and I hope that people who do this program will experience just as many as I did."
Email: frigermm@dukes.jmu.edu
Sofia Landivar
Tyler Paulin
Japan: Art & Business Culture - Summer 2023
Dominican Republic: Global Service Learning - Spring Break 2024
Japan: JMU in Kyoto and Tokyo - Summer 2025
“My name is Tyler Paulin, and I’m a Senior International Affairs major with minors in Political Science and Asian Studies. I was born and raised in Richmond, VA. I’ve been blessed with the ability and opportunity to study abroad three times over the course of my tenure at JMU.
If there’s anything that I’ve learned from studying abroad, it's that embracing change in life can be scary but it’s necessary to mature into the person you're growing up to be. A big part of college is finding out what you want to do and who you want to be. Being abroad has seriously helped me to find new goals and aspirations. Immersion in Japanese culture and language created a love for travel and international relations, while also helping me become an independent individual, being that I was 7000 miles away from home.
My abroad experience in the Dominican Republic helped to realize my passion for hands-on service work, which I have been able to bring back home with me to Harrisonburg in another organization I am a part of. If I could give a piece of advice to anyone going abroad: be adventurous and try new things. It isn’t every day that you get to explore a new part of the world, so be present and live in the moment!”
Email: paulintj@dukes.jmu.edu
Caroline Messier
Semester in London - Spring 2025
"Hi everyone! My name is Caroline Messier, and I am a Senior Communications major with a minor in British Communications and Media. After graduation, I plan to become an elementary school guidance counselor. I'm from Chantilly, Virginia and in the spring of 2025, I had the incredible privilege of spending three months living and studying in the heart of London. This experience completely transformed and defined my college journey.
My whole life, I always knew that I wanted to study abroad but was nervous about being away in another country for so long. As soon as I touched down in Heathrow, I knew that this was where I was meant to be. Living in the center of London allowed me to experience so many daily adventures such as meeting new people from all around the world, drinking lots of cider and hopping on the Underground to visit so many surrounding historical sights. Some of my favorite parts of the semester were the outings and weekend trips planned by the program to encourage us to truly experience the city and all it has to offer. The friends I made there, specifically the three girls I lived with, quickly became like family, and are now some of my closest friends.
Not every day was perfect and honestly, there were some hard moments, but my roommates and the wonderful staff there supported me and always made me feel like I was at home. Some advice I have if you're thinking about studying abroad is to cherish the big and small moments equally. While I was there, I loved our grocery runs to Sainsburys, coffee shop stops at Pret, tube rides, or afternoon pub chats, because, while the program keeps you constantly on the move, it’s those quiet moments spent just hanging out with friends that I miss the most. One of the highlights of the semester was becoming a member of the University College London (UCL) Student Union. This gave me the chance to experience life as a UCL student, complete with access to their facilities like libraries and gyms, and student clubs.
In my free time, I experienced London's culture through unforgettable West End shows like Hamilton and Matilda, went shopping in Notting Hill, and visited iconic sights like Big Ben, the British Museum and Buckingham Palace. My time in London was an unforgettable experience and taught me to see the world through a new lens. Take this as your sign to 100% study abroad! Say yes to every experience, get out of your comfort zone, say hi to strangers, try new foods in new places and don't take a second for granted" because it goes by way too quick."
Email: messiecr@dukes.jmu.edu
Madison Barker
Semester at Sea - Fall 2023
Madison Camp Kenya: Interdisciplinary Education Abroad - Summer 2024
Colombia: Culture & Identity - Winter 2025
Owen Crane
Semester in Antwerp - Fall 2024
"Hi, my name is Owen Crane! I’m a senior majoring in Computer Information Systems at JMU. One of the most impactful parts of my college experience was studying abroad in Antwerp, Belgium, where I completed COB 300. During my time in Antwerp, I was able to immerse myself in a new culture while tackling one of the most challenging and rewarding academic experiences of my JMU career. From collaborating with classmates on business projects to exploring the historic streets and vibrant markets of the city, I learned how to adapt, problem-solve, and see the world from new perspectives. Living and studying abroad not only strengthened my professional skills but also gave me a deeper appreciation for global business and cultural diversity. I returned with lasting memories, new friendships, and the confidence to take on challenges both at home and abroad."
Email: craneox@dukes.jmu.edu
Sydney Stafford
Semester in Salamanca, Spain - Fall 2023
"Hi! My name is Syney Stafford, and I'm a Justice Studies and Spanish Major with a Humanitarian Affairs Minor. And I'm from Bristow, VA! It is very hard to describe my experience abroad in just a short testimonial. My time abroad was a time I will never, ever forget and was nothing short of life changing. I know that is very common to hear about study abroad, but being in Salamanca truly changed me in many ways. Salamanca is a beautiful city located on the west side of Spain. It has so much history yet still feels like such a small town. My friends and I, from both Spain and the US, would frequent many of the local shops and restaurants and became family with many of the owners. The friendly faces are limitless, and you truly feel at home. Now of course, there are challenges along the way. I remember being so nervous leading up to my flight there, that I didn’t think I would make it on the plane. And the language barrier took some getting used to, but if you truly take the time to engage in the culture and the language, I can promise you’ll make meaningful connections that will last a lifetime. These connections have followed me all the way back to JMU. I still speak regularly with my University of Salamanca friends and stay in touch with my professors (shoutout Jesus). Alongside the connections I made, the personal and professional growth will also follow you wherever you go. The level of independence I had abroad was something I wasn’t quite used to, but it changed me for the better and I left with a new appreciation of the world and all it has to offer. My motivation for school and involvement has grown, alongside my love for learning about different cultures, languages, and perspectives. This love is something so unique to studying abroad, especially in a city like Salamanca.
If there is one thing I would recommend to any student, I would say to study abroad. Although intimidating and challenging sometimes, it really is the most beneficial experience you could have here at JMU. I have many strong and positive words for my experiences, but it truly is something you have to experience yourself. Take this as your sign, the World is waiting for you!"
Email: staffosg@jmu.edu
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