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During the month of November and December, YES Abroad alumni went live on Instagram to connect with prospective students, share tips and advice about the application process, and reflect on how YES Abroad has impacted their lives thus far. 

Read more about the YES abroad alumni below and check out their live interviews!

Margaret Gleason (YES Abroad 2017-2018, Bulgaria) is immensely proud to be part of the YES Abroad alumni community. She is grateful for the memories made and skills gained while on program and credits them with many of her adventures and successes since. Originally from Eugene, OR, she currently attends Georgetown University in Washington, DC where she studies Theater and Performance Studies, Justice and Peace Studies, and Music. 

Olivia Jenkins (YES Abroad 2018-2019, Bosnia and Herzegovina) is a second year student in the dual BA program with Sciences Po and Columbia University. At Sciences Po she majors in Politics and Government with a focus on the Middle East and Mediterranean region. Olivia plans to major in history and learn Turkish at Columbia next year, building on her experience taking Turkish in Bosnia and Herzegovina!

Carmen Nino (YES Abroad 2013-2014, Malaysia). After completing her program, she went on to attend New York University and obtained an Economics degree in 2018. Carmen has had the opportunity to volunteer and work with the YES Abroad staff and enjoys supporting her former program. She currently resides in NYC where she works in a Biotech VC firm.

Christian Ilarraza Colon (YES Abroad 2013-2014, Turkey). After completing the program, he went on to earn a BA in International Relations from Florida International University. Following his graduation from FIU, Christian joined the United States Peace Corps and worked as an Education Volunteer in the Republic of the Philippines between 2018-2020. He currently resides in Ann Arbor, Michigan where he is pursuing a Master of Public Policy at the University of Michigan

Kyla Wilson (YES Abroad 2019-20, Ghana) is currently attending St. Lawrence University pursuing an undergraduate degree as a multi-language major in Arabic, Chinese, and Spanish. She is also a 2018 NSLI-Y Korean alumna who has a passion for learning about new cultures and languages. 

Ayana Griffin (YES Abroad 2019-2020, Ghana). She is currently taking a gap year and spending time volunteering, but plans to start college next year at Stanford University as a Computer Science major. She is passionate about diversity in STEM fields, equity in education, and learning about other cultures!