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:
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:

Marine Science

Study Abroad Programs:

USA Calabash Caye Field Station, Belize: Seascape Ecology and Connectivity, May 2024

ISA Stirling, Scotland: Natural Science, Sports Science, Humanities and Business, Fall 2024

USA Geography in Germany, May 2025

Most Memorable Experience Abroad:

My most memorable experience abroad would have to be in Germany. We took a train from Munich out to the Alps in the morning for a day of hiking in Partnachklamm. The hike itself was gorgeous filled with stunning natural beauty and crisp air. The first part through the gorge was extremely impressive and a great example of the power of nature, the second half of the day we hiked up a hill to a picturesque small village. But what made the day extra special was spending it with my friends I made on the trip, it was a great bonding moment for all of us as a group.

Get to know Emily and learn more about her experience! You may reach her at: oiepeeradvisor@southalabama.edu

Major:

Biology

Study Abroad Program:

USA Pre-Health in Spain, Summer 2025

Most Memorable Experience Abroad:

My most memorable experience was going to the Flamenco show. The traditional dresses were stunning, with vibrant colors, flowing ruffles, and detailed embroidery. The dancers’ shoes had strong heels that added rhythm and power to every step. My favorite act was with the castanets, hand instruments used by the dancers. The dancers and musicians complemented each other perfectly, creating a powerful and energetic performance. Although I was nervous because the dancers were sweating and spinning, sending droplets into the crowd, I was lucky not to get any and still loved the whole experience.

Get to know Nashanna and learn more about her experience! You may reach her at: oiepeeradvisor@southalabama.edu

Major:

International Business

Study Abroad Program:

USAC Korea: Seoul - Undergraduate Studies (Yonsei University) - Fall, 2024 

Most Memorable Experience Abroad:

My most memorable experience while abroad was a spontaneous weekend trip to Singapore in the middle of October that I took with my friend Royce. We rushed to the airport after our classes ended on a Thursday, and for the entire weekend there was not a single minute that we wasted. We actually met up with a random traveling college student we met from a competitive E-sports event we attended in Seoul earlier that semester, who, by pure coincidence lived in Singapore, and we brought him with us to do all of the fun stuff we did while he also showed us around the country. That weekend we managed to fit in walking around the beautiful city, shopping at several malls, checking out the inside of the Marina Bay Sands, ride the cable car to Sentosa island, race each other on the Luge (kind of like downhill gravity go-karts), saw the nighttime light show at Gardens by the Bay, ride roller coasters during the daytime and walk through the haunted houses during Halloween Horror Nights in the nighttime at Universal Studios Singapore, stop at the nearest arcade to play the rhythm game Pump it Up, view Singapore from the top of the Marina Bay Sands on the SkyPark Observation Deck, Check out the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay, and end the last night sitting down by the Singapore river and having deep conversations about life and the future. After everything that happened that weekend, we flew back to Seoul that Sunday night into Monday morning where both Royce and I had to go straight to class from the airport. 

Get to know Jennifer and learn more about her experience! You may reach her at: oiepeeradvisor@southalabama.edu

Major:

Film and TV Production

Study Abroad Programs:

USA Dreams of Alabamians in West Africa, Summer 2024

USA Communication and Promotion in Greece, Summer 2025

Most Memorable Experience Abroad:

My most memorable experience was during my time in West Africa, after experiencing one of the ports where the Atlantic Slave Trade took place, named Fort Prizenstein. Walking through the "Door of No Return" was emotionally tough, but I sat on the beach after digesting my history and watched the children of Africa play and laugh. I felt a certain completeness and peace during that event that sparked my interest in the potential for transformation through international education. Now, I travel and learn about other cultures whenever possible. 

Get to know Areshio and learn more about his experience! You may reach him at: oiepeeradvisor@southalabama.edu

Major:

Biomedical Sciences

Study Abroad Program:

USA Partners in Caring: Medicine in Kenya, Summer 2025

Most Memorable Experience Abroad:

While volunteering at a clinic in Rukanga, a couple stood out to me, one with a severe limp from an untreated knee condition, and the other unable to walk due to blood loss after childbirth. I was required to send them to the clinical officers, but since the clinic was overcrowded, I stayed with them longer to ensure they were seen. I helped the woman walk to the office, as she couldn’t support her own weight. At first, it felt like just part of my role, but as I left, the husband began making heartfelt hand gestures to express his gratitude despite the language barrier. That moment reminded me how deeply kindness and care can resonate with others.

Get to know Omar and learn more about his experience! You may reach him at: oiepeeradvisor@southalabama.edu

Major:

Psychology

Study Abroad Program:

CIS Semester in Thailand - Mahidol University, Academic Year 2024-2025

Most Memorable Experience Abroad:

The time I took a 5-day road trip around Thailand with my Thai buddy was one of my most memorable study abroad experiences by far. My friend invited me on this trip a few weeks after most of my friends had left to return to their home countries, so this trip helped my mind come to peace with the fact. My friend's family and I traveled towards the western, northern, and easternmost regions of Thailand. These regions showcased the less industrialized and more naturalistic parts of Thailand, offering me a completely different experience of the country. Some of my favorite memories of this trip were visiting the Thai-Lao border, feeling like I got adopted into someone's family, and visiting ancient temples.

Get to know Jaylen and learn more about his experience! You may reach him at: oiepeeradvisor@southalabama.edu