Student Staff

Gerardo Flores

Marketing & Communications Student Assistant
Pronouns: He/Him

Hello! My name is Gerardo Flores, and I'm a fourth-year Business Economics student at UC San Diego. I was born and raised in Huntington Beach, where I developed a love for drawing and anything that allowed me to express my creativity. During my time at UC San Diego, I've immersed myself in a variety of experiences that have shaped both my professional skills and personal growth. I've worked in a part-time marketing role, collaborated with the NFL through UCSD's advertising club, and studied abroad in Barcelona, where I had the opportunity to travel across Europe and connect with people from many different cultures and backgrounds. Those experiences strengthened my appreciation for community, diversity, and the power of meaningful connections. Because of that, working as a Marketing & Communications Assistant for the International Services and Engagement Office felt like a natural fit. I'm passionate about using creative strategy and storytelling to create content that resonates with people, and I'm excited by the opportunity to connect international students with valuable resources while helping build an inclusive and welcoming community. Outside of academics, you'll usually find me thrifting, spending sunny days at the beach, going to concerts with friends, or learning about photography.

Justin Luu

MacCall Edmonds

Study Abroad Intern
Pronouns: He/Him/His

Hi! I’m MacCall Edmonds, a cognitive science student specializing in machine learning, with a minor in data science. Through UCEAP, I spent my winter and spring quarters at the National University of Singapore, and it was an experience I will never forget!

My immersion program meant I lived and took classes alongside local students, which let me dive into amazing communities and truly live like a local. On top of that, Singapore is the transit hub of Southeast Asia, so exploring the region was easy and affordable. Over the semester, I wandered through Buddhist temples in Thailand, rode motorcycles to waterfalls in Indonesia, feasted on authentic street food in Vietnam, and so much more.

One of my all-time favorite memories is celebrating my birthday at a Korean BBQ restaurant with friends. When we found out the restaurant offered free-flow drinks if we ordered enough meat, we made it our mission to hit the mark. Once we were completely stuffed, we headed to a nearby hawker center and played cards until midnight.

The hardest part of the whole experience was saying goodbye to the friends I made. I’m not sure when I’ll see them again, but I know my time abroad gave me friendships that will last a lifetime.

Back in San Diego, you can usually find me at the climbing gym, where I’m working on my lead climbing so I can get outside and climb on real rock more often! In my free time, I also love biking, playing tennis, and soaking up the sun at the beach.

Sara Patel

Study Abroad Intern
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Hello! My name is Sara Patel. I'm currently a second-year Bioengineering: Bioinformatics major in Seventh College. This past summer, I had the opportunity to study abroad at the University of Barcelona through UCEAP. Safe to say I came back to UCSD with a million stories, lifelong friends, and a new appreciation for seeing the world, and myself, from a different angle!

Living in the heart of Barcelona, I made it a point to just get lost. I wandered through just about every neighborhood, ate my weight in tapas, and found most of my favorite spots completely by accident. I'll forever miss sitting in the Gothic Quarter near the cathedral in the evenings. My best memories came from saying yes to everything, like watching the World Cup final in a cliffside cave in Menorca, then flying back to Barcelona to celebrate in the streets with the whole city when Spain won. Whenever I had free time, I was on the move: a solo trip to Seville, meeting up with friends in Madrid, a few days in Amsterdam, and chasing music festivals across Europe.

Back in San Diego, you'll usually find me at the beach, hunting down new places to eat, or scootering around campus. I also love karaoke and swimming, and I'll never say no to a good movie.

I know it sounds cliché, but when I say this experience was life-changing, I mean it. Going on my own taught me so much about myself and what I value, and it opened my eyes to how much of the world there is to explore and how many people from all walks of life I have yet to meet. It was by far my best summer yet, and I already have an itch to go back. I have nothing but good things to say about studying abroad, and if you've been thinking about it at all, this is your sign to go.

Xiomara A La Torre

Study Abroad Intern
Pronouns: She/They/He

Hi there !! My name is Xiomara A La Torre and this past summer, I studied abroad in Scotland through Global Seminars. When I began to seriously consider my study abroad options, some important elements I wanted to factor into my decision were not only fulfilling course requirements, but also taking a chance and putting myself in an environment that was unfamiliar yet engaging! Spending a few weeks in Scotland not only met, but exceeded every expectation I had for my time abroad.

I was very fortunate enough to have been in Scotland during the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival! While walking around Leith after class, I happened to come across a community center. Once inside, I was told by some locals that this not-for-profit art space had been around for several years and was hosting a jam session that night! Having been practicing music for several years, I was ashamed to say I had never taken part in a jam session. I was quickly reassured that no experience was needed and then encouraged to stop by. So I did, and I am beyond grateful that I decided to stay.

The second I stepped into the room with other musicians, all the anxiety I had was immediately replaced by a sense of belonging. ‘Sketchy Beats Cafe’ was filled with connection beyond rhythms or melodies — we were there to laugh, enjoy, and learn from the people around us. I discussed ska and punk bands with a man from London, who despite having travelled everywhere under the sun, couldn’t get enough of Edinburgh. Then, I laughed about practicing habits (or lack thereof…) with a woman who just started learning drum kit! Despite the fact that every single person in that room was from a different generation, cultural makeup, or even different musical background, there was a sense of community found in the desire to create art with others.

Taking a chance on myself in that moment looked like sparking up conversation with strangers for a few hours, all while doing something that I love. I challenged myself by improvising in front of and with others for the first time in my life in a place that I would have never imagined. I truly believe that’s the most beautiful and rewarding part of studying abroad — the privilege of bring able to create and harbor a space to learn more about all of the unique people in the world while also sharing what makes you just as unique. The awe-inspiring compassion that everyone in that room had for one another is something I carry with me everyday.