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Anne grew up mostly in the Boston area and completed her bachelor’s degree in sociology and anthropology at Carleton College in Minnesota. She entered her undergraduate career certain she wanted to study abroad, although uncertain where. Then a summer volunteering in China changed her life. Ironically, she ended up running out of time to do an academic study abroad program, partially due to developing an addiction to Chinese classes. One thing led to another and she ended up working as the coordinator of that life-changing volunteer program in China. She then moved to China to teach English and eventually completed a master’s in teaching Chinese at Xiamen University in southern China.

Six years into living in China and finally ready to consider returning to the U.S., Anne noticed that Denali National Park was looking for a Mandarin-speaking intern. In early 2019, she moved to »¨½·Ö±²¥. After spending a few winters in Fairbanks during the seasonal park ranger off-season, she finally decided to make it her year-round home. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking and gardening in the summer, and cross-country skiing in the winter.

She is very excited to support you on your study away journey and hear about all the amazing places it takes you!

Elliot is in his fourth year at UAF studying Business Administration, with a minor in Outdoor Recreation and Guiding Management. Elliot studied abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina at Universidad Torcuato Di Tella during the Spring 2024 semester, and had an amazing experience there. Since then, he’s been doing what he can to help others have similar experiences, and give back to the Study Away Program, which is what led him to apply to be a Peer Advisor. In his free time, Elliot enjoys rock climbing, playing guitar, doing improv comedy, and hiking and camping. He looks forward to helping out in any way he can!

Bethany is a fourth year Performing Arts major and minor in Japanese studies here at the University of »¨½·Ö±²¥ Fairbanks. She went on a year-long exchange to Sendai, Japan, attending Tohoku University from Fall 24- Spring 25. In her off time, she enjoys hiking, reading, and listening to music. And she is excited to work with you and your study away journey.

Joseph is in his fourth year at UAF studying Art, with a minor in Art History. He studied abroad through the Universities Studies Abroad Consortium at Università degli Studi della Tuscia in Viterbo, Italy during the Spring 2025 semester. Joseph is affiliated with the Residence Life department as a Resident Assistant, the Volleyball Club, and Rural Student Services, along with the Honors College. Some of his hobbies include listening to music, playing volleyball, and going for walks. He chose to go to Italy for the rich culture of Art and Art History and enjoyed every second of it. Joseph is looking forward to helping students, especially Indigenous students, who are interested in studying abroad. 

Rebecca is a lifelong »¨½·Ö±²¥n who has a passion for building community and helping facilitate an authentic experience for visitors. She graduated from UAF with her bachelor's degree in 2012 and received her Masters in 2021 from the University of »¨½·Ö±²¥ Southeast. When she's not working with UAF exchange students you can find her grinning and riding her bike across frozen, arctic swamps in search of a warm cabin.

Rina is a third-year student at the »¨½·Ö±²¥, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Climate and Environmental Change with a concentration on Sustainability. In Fall 2024, she participated in the National Student Exchange Program, attending Southern New Hampshire University. Considerably the best choice to go out on your own, to be anywhere outside of »¨½·Ö±²¥, but still not too far from home. 

Axton is a third-year student at UAF studying civil engineering. During his time at UAF, he has been an active member of the Honors College and the Climate Scholars program. In his free time, he enjoys playing tennis, reading, and going on runs with his dog. Axton spent last spring studying away in Spain at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. He loved being abroad and had the opportunity to meet a diverse group of people, explore new places, languages, and cultures. While on exchange, he travelled to places throughout Spain, Portugal, Germany, and Morocco. As a peer advisor, Axton is excited to spread the word about study away opportunities and to meet with interested students. 

Cody is in his third-year at the »¨½·Ö±²¥, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Chemistry. He studied abroad in Nairobi, Kenya at United States International University during the spring 2025 semester. Cody views his time abroad as a transformative experience that caused him to reimagine his worldview.