CIEE Latin America Fellow Spotlight: Kat Bryzik
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Meet the CIEE Leading Change in Latin America Student Fellows!
Follow along as CIEE sends 100 student leaders on a fully-funded semester abroad through the CIEE Leading Change in Latin America Fellowship. In this series, we spotlight Fellows as they immerse themselves in Latin American culture, grow as leaders, and prepare to make an impact worldwide.
Name: Kat Bryzik
School: Oakland University
Major: Spanish K-12 Education
LATAM Location: Mérida, Mexico
Q1: What excites you most about studying abroad?
I am most excited about being immersed in Mexican culture and understanding the way of living for the natives.
Q2: What do you hope to learn during your semester abroad?
My #1 learning goal during my semester abroad is developing my confidence with solo traveling. It's hard for me to step out of my comfort zone, and coming to a new country is the biggest step I've taken.
Watch here: Kat explores downtown Mérida
Q3: How do you hope your language skills develop/grow while in Latin America?
I have been studying the Spanish language for the past seven years and have come a long way from where I started. I’ve gotten over my nerves associated with speaking to natives and have widened my vocabulary tenfold. My biggest issue now is my ability to respond at the speed that I am thinking and with all of the words I am looking to use. I hope that by the end of my stay I acquire a quicker response time, along with more words and phrases to add to my vocabulary.
Q4: How do you hope this experience will shape your future studies or career path?
I am planning on teaching high school Spanish, and my biggest fear is not being able to answer all of my students' questions that they may have about Latin American culture. Culture is such a specific and important part of learning a language, and my time abroad will give me the knowledge needed to pass onto my students during class.
Watch here: Kat shares a tour of the CIEE Mérida center
Q5: What advice do you have for students that want to apply for this in the spring 2026?
My biggest advice for students looking to study abroad is to not overthink it. Don’t be scared because everything works out in the end. Travel the world; the time will pass anyways.
Become a Latin America Student Fellow
Your turn to make an impact in Latin America starts here – apply for the CIEE Leading Change in Latin America Student Fellowship today!