Photo courtesy of Siggy Ehrlich ‘26
Photo courtesy of Anya Prendergast
By Kiera McLaughlin ’26
Global Editor
As the first two weeks of classes come to an end, many students are thinking about studying abroad in the near or distant future.
Everyone has their own journey when it comes to studying internationally, whether you have been planning it since before your first year or you decide spontaneously, the McCulloch Center for Global Initiatives will make sure you know that going abroad is an option.
This year, there are three McCulloch Center for Global Initiative peer mentors ready to help students at any stage figure out their travel plans for the fall or spring.
Here’s an inside look at what their experience abroad was like and why they decided to become a mentor:
Siggy Ehrlich ’26
Ehrlich studied in Vienna, Austria last spring with the Institute for the International Education of Students — also known as IES — Abroad European Society, Politics & Culture program, while also doing an internship with the Vienna State Opera House Music Archives. But, originally, they had no idea where they wanted to go.
“I opened the European section of the website and Austria is alphabetically first, and the program I did is specifically approved for the Museums, Archives and Public History Nexus that I have,” they explained.
This program provided the perfect mix of their interests in museums and music as a history and music double major. In addition to the internship and courses through the program, Ehrlich was exposed to more than they could have imagined.
In search of a bass to practice with during their months abroad, Siggy was introduced to an instrument shop owner, who gave them the unexpected opportunity to take private lessons and performance classes allowing them to play in a Vienna palais.
Back at Mount Holyoke College for their senior year, Siggy continues to take German courses, which they were exposed to in Austria, and plans to pursue a career as a music librarian. Thanks to this program, they were exposed to an education they could not have experienced outside of graduate school.
Anya Prendergast ’26
Before studying abroad, Prendergast had never been outside of the country.
“For a very big road trip family, we do not like to fly. And I knew that I personally really wanted to, so we made that happen,” she said.
As an economics and East Asian studies major, she wanted to take courses that aligned with her interests, which included a class on Asian media, but also travel somewhere more familiar and comfortable for her first time abroad. So, when looking into programs, Prendergast landed in Brisbane, Australia, where she directly enrolled into the University of Queensland last spring. There she was able to take classes for her majors and befriend many native Australians.
Now, Prendergast hopes to return to Australia after graduating to reunite and live with her friends during a gap year before applying to graduate school.
As a peer mentor, she wants to share her experiences as a first time traveler.
“I had a great time and I love elaborating on it, but mostly … I just remember how terrified I was going into it and … I thought it would be really nice to have someone who was not as experienced and still had a really, really good time,” she said.
Shambhavi Tewari ’26
Before coming to the United States to attend Mount Holyoke College, Tewari knew she wanted to study abroad. And after living in South Hadley for a couple of semesters, she knew she wanted to return to a city.
Coming from a big city in India, she was looking for a program that would remind her of home as well as provide credits for her economics major and Global Business Nexus, and the London School of Economics was just that place.
For a year she was able to live it up in London while taking economics courses as well as anthropology and politics classes. One of her favorite memories was attending a Charli XCX concert in November.
While preparing to go abroad and during her time there, finances were a big part of figuring out her year in the United Kingdom. With the Laurel Fellowship only covering one semester, she had to apply for other scholarships.
“I want to make study abroad a lot more accessible, especially for international students too, from lower income backgrounds and developing countries. I feel like it’s important to emphasize how … it doesn’t have to be really expensive,” she said.
To hear more about the peer mentors’ experiences and get answers to your questions about studying abroad, sign up for individual meetings on Pathways or attend the Study Away Fair in Chapin Auditorium on Tuesday, the 16th, from 4 to 6 p.m.
Sofia Ramon ’27 contributed fact-checking.