Léna Koskinen

Education Background

B.S., Public Policy Analysis, The Ohio State University
B.A., Spanish, The Ohio State University

Traveling Background

Travel was not really a priority for my family. We had one vacation destination: the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to spend time with family. My study abroad trip was my first trip out of the country and my first “big” trip on my own. I studied abroad in Seville, Spain for a semester, a program which I had chosen for its affordability and ability to bring me one step closer to graduation. Little did I know that my haphazard choice of location to check off a degree requirement would change my life trajectory.

I fell in love with Spain—its people, its diversity of regional cultures, its languages (Yes! Several languages! Ask me about Galician!), its food, its music, its overall quality of life, and everything in between. I knew my time in Spain wasn’t over when I finished my program and immediately started researching ways to return. After graduating from college, I returned to Spain to teach English, this time living in Lugo in the north of the country. Despite being in a completely different region doing a completely different thing, this experience only deepened my love for Spain.

Upon returning to the U.S., I knew I wanted to help people have transformative experiences like my own, so it's a dream come true to support Miami University students as they prepare for and complete education abroad programs!

Travel Tips

Slow down! While it might be tempting to travel every chance you get, be sure to spend time in the place where your program is located. Attend events you’d otherwise miss. Become a Saturday morning regular at your favorite café. Find a weekend volunteer opportunity with a community organization. Join a local language exchange. Take it all in! While traveling to other locations was fun and memorable, the places I lived are the ones I miss the most.