Advertise on podcast: UMD Wanderlust Wednesday

Join Molly Roethler in welcoming Olivia Surratt to our podcast this week! Olivia studied Management and Deaf Studies in Limerick, Ireland during the Fall 2025 Semester. In this episode we cover her classes, her travel, making friends abroad, and of course some wonderful study abroad stories. Tune in to learn more!

Curious about what study abroad in Dublin, Ireland is really like? Want to learn more about University College Dublin (UCD)? Tune in to this episode of Wanderlust Wednesday to hear Jordyn Sorenson and I cover it all. We talk about all things European travel, her first time out of the country being her move to Ireland, homesickness, marketing + business courses abroad, and more.

In part one of this two-part podcast, I sit down with Ava Gustafson before she begins her study abroad experience in Florence, Italy. Ava talks about why she chose Florence, what she hopes to gain from living and studying overseas, and the mix of excitement and nerves she feels ahead of the trip. This episode captures her mindset before the journey begins, offering an honest look at her expectations, goals, and thoughts on how the experience might change her. Be sure to come back for part two, where Ava returns after studying abroad to reflect on how the experience actually shaped her and what she learned along the way.

Thinking about going abroad for school? In this video, Klara talks honestly about her time studying in another country — the moments that were great, the parts that were challenging, and everything she didn’t expect. She shares the experiences that stayed with her, the people she connected with, and even the foods she still remembers. If you’re looking for a clear, genuine perspective on what studying abroad is really like, this video offers exactly that.

Our Marketing and Communications Assistant, Aubree Swenby, is thrilled to be bringing the Wanderlust Wednesday Podcast back — and better than ever! We’re talking all the ins and outs of study abroad — the good, the bad, and everything in between. In this episode, Molly shares her story: what went well, what didn’t, her favorite experiences, the people she met, and the foods she’ll never forget.It’s an honest, unfiltered look at what it’s really like to live and learn in another country — straight from a fellow student who’s been there.

Meet Siiri, a Marketing Major who studied abroad last Spring in Dublin, Ireland. Join us as we discuss Siiri’s day to day life in Dublin, her experience studying at UCD, weekend excursion, traveling to other countries while abroad, and tips for students interested.  Siiris Semester in Dublin Ireland Follow us on Social Media: Instagram: umdstudyabroad Tiktok: umdstudyabroad

Meet Kaleigh, a UMD integrated elementary and special education major who studied abroad in Slovenia. She participated in our International Student Teaching program developed in partnership with the UMD Education Department. Kaleigh was a UMD Diversity in Study Abroad Scholarship recipient.

Meet Barbie, a non-traditional UMD student who's double majoring in elementary and special education and Spanish studies. She participated in our faculty-led Spanish Language & Culture study abroad program which was located in the UNESCO World Heritage site in Salamanca, Spain. Hear about her 4-week experience during this intensive language program that took place during the summer of 2023. Barbie was a recipient of the UMD Diversity in Study Abroad scholarship.

Meet Steven, a UMD psychology grad, who studied abroad fall of 2022 in Seoul, South Korea through our affiliate provider TEAN (The Education Abroad Network.) Steven was a recipient of the UMD Diversity in Study Abroad scholarship.

In this Faculty-led Study Abroad Program series episode, we’ll get to know David Woodward, one of the leaders of our “Jamaica: Roots & Rebellion” study abroad program. He has a diverse background and teaches a variety of courses in History, American Indian Studies, and African and African American Studies. This program provides the opportunity to explore cultural heritage sites that attest to the Jamaican experiences of oppression, resistance, and rebellion—while examining Jamaica’s history through literature, politics, and its world-famous music. Not only will students get to experience the beautiful island of Jamaica,  but many will find the themes and content of this course very relevant today. Learn more about the course at z.umn.edu/JamaicaRoots.

It's been just over a year since we brought home 68 UMD study abroad students from all over the globe. This is the second episode of our pandemic series and in this one, we’ll listen to an interview with Mikayla, a UMD Communication Sciences & Disorders student. She was abroad studying in Galway, Ireland when the pandemic hit and ultimately had to cut her study abroad experience short and come home. Hear her reflect about her time abroad, what it was like as more as more news about COVID-19 started circulating, and what her journey home was like.

It's been just over a year since we brought home 68 UMD study abroad students from all over the globe. In this episode, we’ll listen to an interview with Medori, a UMD graphic design student. She was abroad when the pandemic hit and ultimately had to cut her study abroad experience short and come home. Hear her reflect about her time abroad, what it was like as more and more news about COVID-19 started circulating, and what her journey home was like.

In this second Faculty-led Study Abroad program series episode, we’ll introduce you to a few faculty from the UMD College of Liberal Arts. We'll meet Associate Professor Dr. Jennifer Webb and Assistant Professor Betsy Hunt from the Department of Art and Design, along with Associate Dean Dr. Jefferson Campbell who is in the Department of Music. They will talk about their exciting study abroad program opportunity that is open to students of any major, Experiencing Italy: Art, Art History, and Music which will investigate the country's rich heritage in the arts. In this episode, we’ll get to know why the program leaders love what they do, and what it is that they are most excited to teach in their course abroad. z.umn.edu/italyartmusic

Meet Kaylee, our peer advisor out of Duluth, MN, Jim out of Milwaukee, WI, and Jami tuning in from Melbourne, Australia as these good friends reminisce about their University of Birmingham study abroad experience in the U.K. They'll talk about how they chose their program, what it was like, tips, and how it impacted their lives moving forward. studyabroad.d.umn.edu

Faculty-led Study Abroad Series - Germany This is the first episode of our Faculty-led Study Abroad series in which we’ll get to know a handful of our study abroad faculty-program leaders. In this recording, hear from Dr. Kristen Hylenski, an associate professor of German Studies at UMD. She and Dr. Holly Brining will be leading two study abroad programs to Germany: Language & Culture in Germany (an immersive German language course) and Berlin: Legends, Myth, Reality (a course that focuses on the tumultuous history and vibrant culture of Berlin). Listen in to get to know Dr. Hylenski and learn about both programs! Check out all our podcast episodes at: z.umn.edu/wanderlust-wed Study Abroad Program Web Pages: Berlin: Legends, Myth, Reality - z.umn.edu/berlin-legend Language & Culture in Germany - z.umn.edu/germanylangculture