Meet the Study Abroad Staff

Bio:

Dr. Bri Ard is the Executive Director of Global Engagement at the University of South Alabama, where her key responsibilities include collaborating with faculty and administrators to expand and support study abroad and exchange programs, providing the university’s chief international officer advice on strategies for internationalization of campus, assisting faculty and other personnel to advance international travel and facilitate cross-collaborations.  Bri holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and a Master of Liberal Arts degree from Tulane University and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Instructional Design from the University of South Alabama.  Bri has traveled to 40+ countries and lived abroad twice, once as an English teacher in Ilsan, Korea and most recently on a Fulbright Fellowship to Bucharest, Romania.  She loves reading (mostly fiction), running (mostly slowly), and every dog she has ever met.

Favorite destination:

Mongolia

Next on her list:

Everywhere

Bio:

Jan was born and raised in the Philippines until the age of 11 when she moved to the U.S. She lived in Michigan for three years before moving to Alabama in 2005. Jan graduated from South in 2016 majoring in Foreign Languages and Literatures with a concentration in French. Studying in Dijon, France was the highlight of her college career. She loves learning about different cultures and languages. She is proficient in English, Tagalog, French, Italian and some sign language. In her spare time, she enjoys drawing with charcoal, jamming to Disney songs, and watching re-runs of Friends.

Quote:

It’s not impossible, but I’m possible! I never thought my dream of going to France would become a reality. But because of the Office of International Education, I made it from Moulton Tower to the Eiffel Tower! Studying abroad teaches you things that you will never learn within the four walls of a classroom. It will give you answers you will not find within the pages of a textbook. What you reap from the experience is invaluable and life changing. Come visit our office and take the first step in making your dream come true!

Favorite destination:

Het Drielandenpunt (“Tripoint” where the borders of Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands meet)

Next on her list:

Australia and the United Kingdom

Bio:

Felicia Cooley is the International Programs Assistant for International Education and Study Abroad at the University of South Alabama. Felicia holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from The University of South Alabama. She participated in one of South's first study abroad programs in 1999.   She and her family (husband Tyler and their two sons John & James) enjoy traveling, South Alabama and Alabama football games, and anything outdoors.  She enjoys attending cultural events to increase awareness of our global community.

Bio:

Sabrina is a graduate student from China and is currently serving as the Graduate Assistant at Global USA. Having received her B.A. in English (minor: Japanese) from China, she graduated from USA with a master’s degree in English Literature in 2020 and is currently working on her doctoral degree in Education (Higher Education Leadership). Prior to moving to the U.S., she was based in Beijing and has extensive international exchange experience in public sectors including education and performing arts. Sabrina has traveled across America and to Finland, Germany, Canada, and Australia. She enjoys meeting and working with people from all different backgrounds and cultures. When she is not reading, writing, researching, or advising study-abroad students, she may be found traveling, painting, baking, running, or attending musicals/ballets/plays/concerts/improvs, among many other things she enjoys.

Quote:

The hardest victory is over self. -- Aristotle

Favorite destination:

Sydney, Australia & Berlin, Germany

Next on her list:

UK, France, Italy, Dubai, Egypt, India, Japan, Brazil...

Bio:
Syliah is an Education Abroad Advisor and a recent graduate of South Alabama. Syliah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Modern and Classical Languages with concentrations in both French and Spanish. While attending South, Syliah served as editor and Social Media Chair for the Chi Omega Chapter of Phi Sigma Iota, the highest academic honor in the field of foreign languages, and received PSI’s Dr. Santiago Vilas Scholarship. She is also a recipient of the Gilman Scholarship, which allowed her to study virtually with Dr. Pettway in Argentina and also led to her being accepted in the TAPIF program, where she taught English in Nice, France for an academic year. Syliah is an avid travel and culture enthusiast and wants to promote traveling to everyone, regardless of background. In her free time, Syliah enjoys reading fantasy and dystopian novels, watching horror films/romcoms and collecting POP figures. 

Fun Fact/Quote: 
Syliah loves living her life at the mercy of fortune cookies. Her last fortune cookie read “A woman who aspires to be equal to a man lacks ambition.” She would share her lucky numbers but she’s hoping to win the lottery.

Favorite Destination:
Nice, France or Porto, Portugal

Next Destination:
Brazil, Senegal, Ghana

Bio:
Chelé is a Mobile, AL native who graduated from the University of South Alabama in 2016  (Biology), 2020 (International Studies), and is finishing her Master of Education in 2023. She also has her second degree black belt in Taekwondo. After the pandemic interrupted her final attempt at completing a Study Abroad program through USA, she persevered and moved on her own after graduating to Seoul, South Korea where she continued intensive Korean language study at Korea University. After living abroad, she returned to South Alabama to help facilitate the same life-changing experiences for others, with a passion for students and study abroad. Chele’s current obsessions include travel planning, interior decorating, and entertaining her three children (cats) as a way to wind down each day.

Quote:
Even when you are scared you can’t, take the chance anyway. I guarantee you will surprise yourself.

Favorite Destination:
The Secret Garden of Changdeokgung Palace in Seoul, South Korea; a place hidden within the center of the bustling modern city. 

Next Destination:
Thailand, Switzerland, and everywhere else

Major:

Nursing

Study Abroad Program:

USA Global Healthcare in Ecuador, Summer 2023

Most Memorable Experience Abroad:

The most memorable experience I had abroad was probably all the interactions with
people over the course of the trip. It was a fantastic experience being able to meet all of our tour guides and hear from their point of views how they enjoy living in Quito or the Galapagos. One of our speakers, Dr. Marisol stayed with us for the majority of the trip and all of the conversations I was able to have with her were some I will cherish and remember forever. She was able to explain in more depth the healthcare community and work space in Ecuador. I without a doubt enjoyed every minute of this experience and would most definitely go again.

Get to know Stella and learn more about her experience! You may reach her at: smb2125@jagmail.southalabama.edu

Major:

Marine Biology

Study Abroad Program:

USA Biology in Ecuador and the Galápagos, Summer 2023

Most Memorable Experience Abroad:

My most memorable experience abroad was being able to visit the Galápagos Islands. It has always been a dream of mine and this study abroad trip enabled me to finally live out that dream. While in the Galápagos I was able to see the Galápagos tortoise, blue footed booby, and Darwin’s finches. As well as snorkel around the infamous kicker rock. It was a once in a lifetime experience that’ll I’ll never forget.

Get to know Madison and learn more about her experience! You may reach her at: mlc1525@jagmail.southalabama.edu

Major:

Biology

Study Abroad Program:

USA World Literature after 1650 in Italy, Summer 2023

Most Memorable Experience Abroad:

I absolutely loved getting to make so many new friends through this trip. I did not know anyone going into it and I ended up leaving with some of the best friends. My favorite memory from Italy was in Venice. A group of us woke up and watched the sunrise over the water and then took a gondola ride. Venice is absolutely beautiful and has so many cute shops.

Get to know Bayleigh and learn more about her experience! You may reach her at: abl2122@jagmail.southalabama.edu

Majors:

Advertising & Public Relations, and Foreign Language

Study Abroad Program:

USA Spanish in Spain, Summer 2023

Most Memorable Experience Abroad:

One of my experiences in Madrid that was the most memorable happened one day at lunch. Two of my friends and I had gone out to eat lunch close to the school where we were attending class. While we were there we noticed a couple was seated at the table next to us, and they kept looking over at us. We continued on our conversation and eventually the lady spoke up and began conversation with us, she said she overheard our accents and was curious about where we were from. After a bit of small talk, we found out that her and her husband had immigrated to Spain from Mexico, and had now been living in Madrid for many years. When we told them the reason we were in the city they were very encouraging to us and told us that it made them happy to know that there are still young people out there with the desire to explore the world.

Get to know Sofia and learn more about her experience! You may reach her at: psm2121@jagmail.southalabama.edu

Major:

Advertising and Public Relations

Study Abroad Program:

USA Exchange: Sheffield Hallam University, England; Spring 2023

Most Memorable Experience:

My most memorable experience abroad was the first night I met most of the other exchange students. Sheffield Hallam University hosted a welcome dinner for the international students in which we split into teams to play a fun trivia game about England. Because the students were accommodated in the same building, we met afterward in the common room to get to know each other more. It was interesting to learn about their backgrounds and first impressions of England. At first, I was a little nervous because I did not know what to expect, but the other students were friendly. It was nice having an inclusive college experience so early in the semester.

Get to know Milena and learn more about her experience! You may reach her at: mm1934@jagmail.southalabama.edu

Major:

Accounting

Study Abroad Program:

MSU British Studies in London, England; Summer 2023

Most Memorable Experience Abroad:

The greatest memory I have from my study abroad trip was when I was leaving a fantastic performance of Phantom of the Opera into lit up Piccadilly Circus around 9pm. Beautiful bright lights, million dollar cars and probably a thousand people going in different directions. The polar opposite of what my hometown looks like. In total awe of what I was seeing I think I stood still for what felt like forever.  Eventually the surreal moment passed and we spent a few hours just walking around and enjoying the energy.

Get to know Conner and learn more about her experience! You may reach him at: cep2125@jagmail.southalabama.edu