Matt Eckler

Study Abroad Advisor
matthew_eckler@unc.edu

Bio:

Matt Eckler is the study abroad advisor for programs in Asia, Africa, and Canada along with UNC’s domestic programs. Originally from upstate New York, Matt graduated from Siena College with his bachelor’s degree in management and a minor in Spanish. During his time as an undergrad, Matt studied abroad for a semester in Havana, Cuba where he focused on language immersion. Now an advisor for study abroad students, Matt is passionate about helping each student that comes his way to find their ideal experience abroad. In addition to Cuba, he has travelled to several countries including Kenya, Oman, Portugal, Egypt, Greece and more. Outside of work, Matt enjoys being in nature and anything related to baseball.

Natasha Hulyayeva

Accounting Specialist
nataliah@unc.edu

Bio:

Natasha Hulyayeva serves as the Accounting Specialist for the Study Abroad office at UNC Chapel Hill. She earned her B.A. in Finance in Ukraine and for the past two decades held different accounting positions at Duke University School of Medicine, Duke Graduate School, and Durham Academy. Natasha is grateful to work at UNC Chapel Hill, as it gives her the opportunity to use her extensive knowledge of accounting programs and university policies and procedures for the benefit of the Study Abroad Office. In her free time, Natasha enjoys spending time with her husband and their two daughters, growing roses, and playing piano.

Melody Zhang

Department Administrator
melodyzh@unc.edu

Bio:

Melody serves as Department Administrator for the Study Abroad Office at UNC Chapel Hill. Prior to this role, she was an HR Officer at the University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China. She earned her B.A in English and Applied Linguistics, during which she studied in the exchange program at the University of Nottingham’s UK campus. After that eye-opening experience, she decided to return to the UK to obtain her M.Sc. in Human Resource Management at the University of Warwick. She highly commends study abroad to everyone when they have the chance, as it can change the way they interpret the world. When Melody’s not working, you will find her practicing ballet, crocheting, enjoying nature, or spending time with her pet hedgehog.

Sneha Pasupula

Peer Advisor
abroad@unc.edu

Bio:

Lauren Russell

General Advisor & Events Coordinator
larusse@unc.edu

Bio:

Lauren Russell is the General Advisor and Events Coordinator for the Study Abroad Office. She facilitates students’ understanding of study abroad through advising and coordinating events.  

While earning degrees from Michigan State University in Spanish and World Politics, she spent a semester abroad at Universidad San Francisco de Quito. Prior to arriving at UNC, Lauren has previously held various student services positions at the Office for Education Abroad at Michigan State, College Year in Athens, and Aerospace Engineering at University of Michigan.

When not at work, you can find Lauren working her way through her “to be read” list, checking out coffee shops, and adventuring with her dog, Sprout!

Allison Burnett

Vice President of the Study Abroad Peer Ambassadors & Peer Advisor
abroad@unc.edu

Bio:

Allison Burnett is the Vice President of the Study Abroad Peer Ambassadors, as well as a Peer Advisor in the Study Abroad Office. After studying abroad in Florence last summer, Allison is now a Junior pursuing a dual degree in Economics and Advertising & Public Relations. Allison began traveling at a young age with her family and quickly developed a passion for it. After her time in Florence last summer, Allison backpacked through various European countries and fell even more in love with discovering new cultures, foods, and histories. These experiences have allowed Allison to become very knowledgeable about the different ways to travel and how to tackle various complications, furthering her ability to advise prospective study abroad students on the best way for them to achieve their study abroad goals. In her free time, Allison loves to cook, spend time with her cat, Diesel, and daydream about her next trip!

Elena Vierengel

Peer Advisor
abroad@unc.edu

Bio:

Elena works as a Peer Advisor for the Study Abroad Office. She is currently a sophomore on the pre-business track at UNC. In the Fall of 2022, Elena studied in Granada, Spain as a part of the Carolina Global Launch cohort. After such an incredible first semester abroad, she loves to answer questions and share her experience with students interested in studying abroad. In her free time, Elena enjoys running, cooking, and curating Spotify playlists.

Sofia Graham

Peer Advisor
abroad@unc.edu

Bio:

Sofia Graham works as a Peer Advisor for the Study Abroad Office. She is currently a sophomore at UNC, majoring in Economics and minoring in Urban Studies and Planning. Inspired at a young age by frequent trips to Colombia to visit family, she quickly developed a passion for travel and learning about different cultures. Some of her most meaningful experiences have happened abroad, including a recent trip to Honduras where she was able to serve as a Spanish translator on a mission trip, and in Spain, where she hopes to return to study abroad. Sofia loves being able to answer fellow students’ questions about travelling abroad and provide guidance on choosing the right program. In her free time, Sofia enjoys soccer, cooking Colombian dishes, and planning her next trip.

Cora Lubsen

Peer Advisor
abroad@unc.edu

Bio:

Cora Lubsen serves as a Study Abroad Peer Advisor. She helps the office in many different ways including answering the main phone lines, responding to emails, processing fees, and assisting with general projects in the SAO. These include peer advising, processing applications, and program survey creation. She is a senior at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is an Interdisciplinary major with a minor in Italian. Cora has spent a lot of time abroad and cannot seem to stay away. She grew up from ages six to thirteen in Germany as well as studied in Switzerland before transferring to UNC. After transferring to UNC, she completed her junior year abroad at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. She loves traveling and learning about the rich culture that each place has. She uses this passion to assist other students in finding which area they want to study in as well as persuading her friends! Her main drive is to build on her global citizenship, further her field of experience, and learn about the various cultures represented around the world. If she is not traveling, you can find her enjoying photography, playing club basketball, or spending time with friends.

Nicola Zollinger

Study Abroad Advisor
zollingn@unc.edu

Bio:

Nicola serves as the study abroad advisor for Oceania, the UK, and Ireland. She received her B.A. in Psychology from Lafayette College and her M.S. in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling from UNC-Chapel Hill. During her time as an undergraduate student, she studied abroad at DIS in Copenhagen, Denmark. Prior to joining the UNC Study Abroad Office, Nicola participated in numerous international endeavors, including time spent on a farm in Birkerød, Denmark through WWOOF. She has additional experience working with adolescents and young adults in outpatient, residential treatment, and university settings. Nicola is inspired by the positive impact of international education and, as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, is passionate about optimizing student wellbeing during cultural transitions. In her free time, Nicola enjoys solo travel, studying Danish, reading too many books at once, gardening, and practicing ballet & yoga.