CIEE Latin America Fellow Spotlight: Madison Altenbach
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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: Madison Altenbach
School: Northern Arizona University
LATAM Location: Mérida, Mexico
Q1: What does receiving this fellowship mean to you personally?
For me, receiving this fellowship means building my professional portfolio and resume and having one semester more of opportunity to learn and explore my favorite region without financial burden.
Q2: Are there any social, political, or historical topics you're especially interested in learning more about while abroad?
I have always been deeply interested in colonial history and understanding the indigenous story, and how the identity of Latin America today is built off both the destruction and the perseverance of indigenous cultures.
Watch here: Madison shares the views from her walk home from class
Q3: How do you hope this experience will shape your future studies or career path?
My singular semester spent in the United States was spent studying film, and with my reflections the months before the start of this program and my previous abroad experiences, I am looking to change my area of study to Latin American history and culture. I hope this experience and change of academic paths will allow me to be a program leader for other American students who want to study abroad in Latin America.
Q4: What does it mean to you to engage with Latin America as a "learner" rather than a "visitor"?
To me, it means to immerse yourself on a personal level with the culture, the people, and the environment in a way that changes your world perspective, instead of experiencing a region or culture as a tourist destination to be posted on Instagram.
Watch here: Madison visits the Xcajum Cenote
Q5: What parting advice do you have for other students who want to apply for this opportunity for spring 2026?
Just do it! Studying abroad is a leap of faith but it will get you so far. It’s scary and easy to go the simpler route, but opportunities like this are once in a lifetime. Do yourself a favor and take the risk!
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!