Get to Know Our Current Global Ambassadors

Emily Wheeler

When Emily Wheeler was a kid her family would vacation once a year in Mexico, which began her passion for international culture. When Emily was in high school she knew that she wanted to do some sort of education abroad program during college. Upon entering Missouri State, Emily began planning her first education abroad experience. Emily’s family guided her to select a semester abroad option and this was the greatest decision she has ever made.

Emily spent four months in Costa Rica her sophomore year completely immersed in the culture. She learned so many new things while improving her Spanish language skills. During her time in Costa Rica, she was provided the opportunity to participate in cultural immersion opportunities that provided her the opportunity to expand her cultural awareness and make life-long friends. Emily’s time abroad afforded her the opportunity to visit Nicaragua as well.

As an International Business major and Spanish minor, Emily is hoping to double major. After graduation Emily would like to work in Spain or Europe, hopefully finding a job that combines her International Business degree and passion for travel!

Allison Heimsath

Allison Heimsath is a junior studying Hospitality and focusing on Tourism and Lodging. She is also receiving a minor in Sustainability. When she was in high school, she participated in a two-week education abroad program with her Spanish class that went to France and Spain. On this trip, Allison completely fell in love with Barcelona, Spain and knew that this was where she wanted to study abroad in the future. 

The best experience Allison has had in college so far has been studying away to Barcelona, because she was able to immerse herself into a new culture and language. During her semester abroad, she traveled to eight different countries and more than 30 cities. Making unforgettable memories along the way. 

Studying abroad made Allison feel more confident and comfortable in today's globalized world and made her realize that she wants to pursue internships, and possible careers in different countries. She is planning to go abroad again and she can't wait to see where her future with Missouri State Education Abroad takes her! 

Haylee Ebersole

Haylee Ebersole’s love for traveling began when she was given the opportunity to travel abroad the summer before my sophomore year of high school. As she traveled through Europe she couldn't get enough of the culture, architecture, and of course the food. It was a whole new world, a world that she needed to see more of.

 She decided to study abroad the spring semester of her sophomore year. As a Fashion Merchandising and Management major with a minor in International Marketing, choosing where to study was easy. What better place to study than in the fashion capital of the world, Milan, Italy. While abroad she took 21 flights, visited 13 cities, and entered 8 countries. She feels extremely blessed to have this amazing opportunity and cannot wait to help others experience a whole new world.

Miranda O'Connell

Miranda O’Connell is currently a junior studying Exercise and Movement Science - Health Studies. She plans to further her education to help her fight for equality in health care, both domestically and internationally.

The best decision that Miranda O’Connell has ever made was her decision to spend a semester abroad in Cork, Ireland. There, she was able to immerse herself in a new culture, which broadened her horizons and opened her eyes to the world around her. Not only did she learn a new way of life and learn so much more about herself, but she also met many astounding people in the process. While abroad she was able to travel around to Scotland, England, The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany, which allowed her to truly understand the European way of life.

Outside of school and traveling, Miranda spends her time adventuring around her home state of Idaho, taking pictures, hanging out with her friends, or volunteering for causes that she finds important. 

Miranda is excited to work with Missouri State Education Abroad Programs as a Global Ambassador to help people have a positive, life changing experience like she did!

Jessica Worster

Jessica Worster is a senior at Missouri State studying international Business and minoring in Spanish. She was not able to travel much growing up but always knew that she wanted to see all that the world had to offer. She knew she wanted to minor in Spanish coming into college; however, it wasn't until her sophomore year that she decided on International Business. It gave her the opportunity to learn about new cultures and experience new ways of life. 

Jessica spent a semester in Granada, Spain in the spring of 2018 with SOL Education Abroad and it was one of the best decisions she's made. Living with a host family and fully immersing herself into the culture was an experience unlike any other. By going overseas, Jessica was given the opportunity to travel and see so much more than just the Spanish way of life. Some other favorite adventures include: riding a camel in Morocco, seeing the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland, and exploring the entire city of London! She already can't wait to travel again, but until then, she is excited to take on her next adventure with the Office of Education Abroad! 

Desmond Warren 

Desmond Warren studied away in Cuernavaca, Mexico during his junior year and first semester of his senior year. His adventure began when the decision to go to Mexico came from a weekend with friends in St. Louis, where they stayed with one of the friend's grandmother. She spoke very little English and Desmond was frustrated that he wasn't able to tell her in Spanish how thankful he was that she opened her home to them. So he decided to learn Spanish so that he could tear down the language barrier that stood between him and millions of people. 

Those 15 months that Desmond spent in Mexico changed his perspective on language learning and the world that we live in. Desmond says that you should go and do things that make you uncomfortable, travel to countries outside of tourist destinations, and most importantly say yes to everything when you go! The cities that he saw and the foods that he tried would not have been possible if he didn't say yes. Desmond would love to talk to students if they have questions about Mexico or living abroad.