Contact Us

Contact Form

Meet the Team

The Global Opportunities team supports incoming and outgoing students.

For Study Abroad and all Exchange related queries: global.opportunities@ncl.ac.uk

Global Opportunities Team

‌‌‌‌	Dimitra Boutsioukis Senior International Mobility Manager dimitra.boutsioukis@ncl.ac.uk (+44) 0191 208 8275 I manage the Global Opportunities Team which is part of the International Office. This includes responsibilities for the following teams and areas: Student Mobility Team (Erasmus, Non-EU Exchange and Study Abroad Programmes) Loyola Team (the Loyola University Maryland Center at Newcastle).
	Andrew Griff-Owen International Mobility Manager andrew.griff-owen@ncl.ac.uk (+44) 0191 208 5187 I manage the Student Mobility Team. My main responsibilities include: Leading the administration and promotion of the University's international mobility programmes Managing the Erasmus+ Programme for student and staff mobility (Erasmus+ Institutional Coordinator) Signing Erasmus+ inter-institutional agreements Managing mobility outside of Europe.
	Marsha Leask Student Mobility Coordinator marsha.leask@ncl.ac.uk (+44) 0191 208 6689 I administer the Non-EU Exchange and Study Abroad Programmes. Maintaining relationships with partner universities and colleagues at Newcastle University who are involved in the Exchange and Study Abroad programmes Producing the necessary documentation for students to apply for a Tier 4 visa Promotion of the Mobility Programmes to current and prospective students Responsible for managing the Erasmus Interns and Student Ambassadors.
	Katie Lavender International Exchange Officer Katie.Lavender@newcastle.ac.uk (+44) 0191 208 7838 I am responsible for the organisation and delivery of mobility opportunities which support our students to enjoy a truly global experience during their time at Newcastle University. My areas of responsibility include: Short term mobility opportunities, summer schools, internships and international volunteering The International Study Year Postgraduate mobility Funding opportunities Virtual exchange New pathways for international mobility.
	Jamie Jones International Exchange Assistant (Non-EU) Jamie.Jones@newcastle.ac.uk I provide administrative support for our Non-EU Exchange and Study Abroad Programmes. My responsibilities include: Processing applications from incoming Non-EU Exchange and Study Abroad students Promoting exchange and other global opportunities to Newcastle students and assisting them with the outgoing application process Supporting Newcastle students currently abroad on Non-EU and Study Abroad placements
	Anna Hepburn-Job Senior International Exchange Assistant (Secondment) anna.hepburn-job@newcastle.ac.uk I currently support the administration of all mobility programmes. This includes: Responding to enquiries about global opportunities Processing outgoing student applications, nominations and documentation Processing incoming student applications Liaising with School Exchange Coordinators and Exchange Partners
	Kexin (Emma) Wei Senior International Exchange Assistant emma.wei@newcastle.ac.uk My responsibilities include: Organising student events such as the Go Abroad Fair Supporting the delivery of short term mobility opportunities, summer schools, internships and international volunteering Funding opportunities, including the Turing scheme The International Study Year Virtual exchange Postgraduate mobility New pathways for international mobility
	Toni O'Connor Senior International Exchange Assistant I administer Inter-institutional Agreements and Student Exchange Agreements to help maintain partnerships with both EU and non-EU partner Universities. Maintaining relationships with European and non-European partner universities who are involved with the Exchange and Study Abroad programmes. Preparing Erasmus + Inter-institutional Agreements and Student Exchange Agreements for partner Universities (EU and non-EU) Promoting global opportunities e.g. exchange programmes and international work placements to Newcastle students. Assisting students with their outgoing application process for Study/Work abroad.
	Grace Barker Loyola Study Abroad Center Manager grace.barker@newcastle.ac.uk (+44) 0191 208 7522 I am the Loyola Study Abroad Center Manager. The Center supports students studying with us from Loyola Maryland and affiliated Universities. I work with the Center Coordinator to support students in multiple ways during their time here We run an extensive Student Orientation week, as well as the Loyola Excursions to various UK and European destinations; from Edinburgh to Florence, and lots of places in between! I oversee all the Center activities including strategic planning and finance I support students personally with any issues they may have whilst studying here We work closely with the Schools to ensure the Student Experience is positive throughout all aspects of their study.
	Kat Gustin Loyola Study Abroad Center Coordinator kathleen.gustin@ncl.ac.uk (+44) 0191 208 8858 As part of the Loyola Center team, I help deliver an exceptional study abroad experience to our students on the Loyola programme, including: Providing personalised pastoral and academic support for students during their study abroad experience Organising and leading trips and events as part of the Loyola Center programme Supporting the administrative needs of the Center
	Vikki Hedges Study Abroad Manager Vikki.Hedges@ncl.ac.uk I am responsible for promoting Newcastle University as a Study Abroad destination to those students who are looking for a life-changing overseas learning experience! My work involves: Planning marketing and recruitment activity aimed at semester and full year inbound students Nurturing and developing relationships with universities outside of the UK Developing ways to enhance the Study Abroad student experience from application to arrival

Drop-in Sessions

LIVE CHAT with a Global Opportunities staff member and one of our friendly Global Ambassadors every Wednesday in term time from 3-4 pm!

How to join drop-in sessions?

Virtual sessions: dial in from MS Teams Go Abroad Fair drop-in channel 3-4pm every Wednesday

Global Ambassadors

Our team of Global Ambassadors is made up of students who have had an experience abroad and want to share their insights with and support students who are going abroad!

Get in touch with them via global.ambassadors@newcastle.ac.uk or chat with them during the weekly drop-in!

Hear more from our Global Ambassadors!

‌	Alex Ward Hi everyone! My name is Alex, and I am one of the Global Ambassadors this year. I’m currently studying a master’s in Marine Ecosystems and Governance following my Biology undergraduate degree, and I’m passionate about the environment and conservation. Alongside being fortunate enough to go on some amazing research trips as part of my course, I’ve also been on two short-term volunteer/internship placements abroad, in Mexico and Madagascar. As a Global Ambassador, I can help out with things such as: Finding and preparing for volunteer placements Working out if volunteering is for you Writing your application to study abroad Funding and finance queries
	Christopher Takyi Hello everyone! My name’s Chris and I am a fourth-year medical student currently doing an intercalated master’s degree. During the summer of my fourth year I was able to go to Ghana for my medical elective. As I am originally from Ghana I was really excited to go and learn about healthcare in another country. I can offer support and advice on: Choosing an international experience Language Learning Funding options and grants What to look out for when going abroad
	Cristina Guirola Carias De Newell Hi, I’m Cristina and I am doing my second year in Pharmacy as well as being a Global Ambassador for 2021/22. I am originally from Guatemala but have been living in the UK for almost 10 years. I’ve had the opportunity to travel to different parts of the world, either by leisure, going to Hong Kong, Thailand, and Panama, to name a few; but also taking part in an exchange programme to Seattle, and a mini scholarship to Taiwan. I’ve also worked in the international team for another UK university, helping students apply for summer schools and carrying out their dissertations abroad. I can offer help in the following topics: Choosing an international opportunity Language learning Culture shock and learning to adapt to a different society Help with applications and travel arrangements Living in Latin America
‌	Erin Atherton Hello, I am Erin, one of your global ambassadors this year. I am now a fourth year and I study Spanish and Portugese. For my year abroad, I spent 3 months doing a virtual placement for a Company in Barcelona. For my second semester I worked as a translator in Lisbon, Portugal. I can offer help and advice in: Getting started with a visa Virtual placements Finding accomodation abroad Living in Lisbon (and Portugal) Advice on meeting people abroad Eramus placements Language learning Finding a placement
‌	Hannah Mehmood Hello! My name is Hannah and I'm a medical student, currently undertaking my masters degree in Public Health. My international experience comes from spending a semester at the NUMed campus in Malaysia, working for a voluntary organisation in Kenya and engaging with the international community in Newcastle. I can help with various things, including: Ways to gain international experience at home and abroad Preparing to live abroad and pre-departure advice Fundraising and applying for grants
‌	Leah Sardais Hi everyone! My name’s Leah and I’m pursuing a Master’s degree in International Relations. When I was eight years old I was lucky enough to move to Paris for three years. This was an amazing experience, and something which has had a lasting impact on me today. I can offer support and advice on: Living in France Learning a new language Adapting to an unfamiliar/different culture How to make the most of your experience abroad And most importantly, where to get the best pain au chocolat in Paris
	Sian Reid Hello! My name’s Sian, I’m a final year Modern Languages student learning German, Spanish and Catalan. Last year I did a study placement in Oldenburg, Germany, as part of my mandatory year abroad, and I also spent a few months living in Seville, Spain. I can offer help and support on a variety of things, including: Erasmus study placements Language specific exchanges, such a studying in a different language alongside natives Travelling during covid Living in Germany post-Brexit and how to handle German bureaucracy Cultural differences while abroad and my experience living as a POC in a different country Do’s and don’ts of finding accommodation abroad