Amy Brandau

After I went on my first study abroad trip as a student, I never stopped traveling again. I love to see the same thing happen to the students on my trips.

Amy Brandau, Academic Adviser in the Department of Economics has been leading study abroad programs since 2016. Amy is an incredible advocate for study abroad and said that the reason she leads programs is, “I like to share the wonder and amazement of seeing somewhere new with first time travelers and it’s a great way to get to know students better.”

When did you start leading programs?

  • Spring Break 2016

What programs have you led?

  •  Scotland –1 time, UK (Brexit) 3 times and plans to continue the program at least one more time as Brexit still isn’t resolved.

Why do you lead programs?

  • I love traveling, I like to share the wonder and amazement of seeing somewhere new with first time travelers and it’s a great way to get to know students better.

What would you say to faculty that are considering leading a program?

  • We have many students at Iowa State that would benefit from a study abroad trip – if you can help broaden the horizons of our many students who have never been out of the Midwest, you will be helping to make the world a better place for both individual students and for those around those students who study abroad.

What have you learned by leading programs?

  • I really enjoy leading the programs, but it helps to have a good co-director too. I learn just as much as my students on the trips – there is always something to learn from the people and places we visit.

What has been most memorable about leading a program?

  • After I went on my first study abroad trip as a student, I never stopped traveling again.  I love to see the same thing happen to the students on my trips.  Many of them have gone on to other short study abroad trips, semester long study abroad trips and NSE.

What do you like to do in your free time?

  • Strange as it sounds, the long airplane flights and train trips while on study abroad give me time to engage in two of my favorite free time activities – reading and sewing.

Why should students study abroad?

  • To dispel preconceived notions and myths about other countries and cultures.

How would you encourage students to study abroad?

  • I tell our students that have returned to tell all their friends about the trip. I also tell my students that I am going on a trip and they are welcome to join me.