International Programs Ambassadors
An IP ambassador is a current Seaver student who has recently returned from a Pepperdine International Program. An ambassador's main function is to act as a student representative of IP, sharing their experience and knowledge of current programs. Ambassadors meet with interested students and groups, and they act as guides throughout the International Program pre-departure process and will begin re-entry programs.
Feel free to contact each ambassador to request an appointment, or stop by the IP Office during their office hours!
2024-2025 International Programs Ambassador Team
Maddie Bunker
madison.bunker@pepperdine.edu
Lead Ambassador
Office Hours: Monday 2-4pm, Tuesday 9-11am
Maddie Bunker is a senior studying biology on the premedical track. She studied abroad in Heidelberg for the full academic year of 2022-2023 and spent May of 2024 in Fiji. In Heidelberg, she spent her weekends traveling to 18 different countries but says that despite all the amazing places she went, Heidelberg truly holds a special place in her heart. Walking down the Hauptstraße every morning on the way to class, coming back to Moore Haus after a weekend of traveling, and eating dinners with everyone in the program are a few of the small things that made Heidelberg feel like home. In Fiji, she was able to work in the clinic and serve the community in a way that allowed her to strengthen her faith. She can’t wait to share her abroad memories with others and encourage them to go abroad and make memories of their own!
Belle Li
belle.li@pepperdine.edu
Buenos Aires Ambassador
Office Hours: Monday 3-5pm, Tuesday 3-5pm
Belle Li is a junior majoring in Sustainability and minoring in Hispanic Studies, planning to attend law school. She’s had the blessing of spending the 2023-2024 full academic year in Buenos Aires, learning extensively as she traveled to numerous Argentine provinces, different countries, and neighboring cities, often solo traveling as well. She loved going through her day-to-day life purely in Spanish and still catches herself automatically answering in Spanish even though she’s here back home. Belle can’t wait to go back to Argentina to visit her friends who live there and to again walk the beautiful streets browsing and conversing through the tables of local vendors who sell every weekend.
Lizzie Melo
lizzie.melo@pepperdine.edu
Florence Ambassador
Office Hours: Tuesday 11am-1pm, Thursday 8-10am
Lizzie Melo is a junior Psychology major who studied abroad in Florence, Italy for the entire academic year of 2023-2024. Studying in Florence had always been her dream and she had the most amazing experiences abroad. She enjoyed the rich Italian culture, the delicious food, the historical museums, and the breathtaking Cathedrals. During her time abroad, she visited 12 countries and explored many beautiful cities all over Italy. She traveled from the South of Italy to enjoy the sunny beaches on the Amalfi Coast, to the North of Italy to see the snowy Dolomites. She fell in love with every city she visited, but can confidently say that Florence will always be her favorite. She made lifelong friends and created unforgettable memories. She was so grateful to have the opportunity to study in Florence and felt so blessed to be a part of such an amazing program.
Henry Adams
henry.adams@pepperdine.edu
Heidelberg Ambassador
Office Hours: Monday 9:30-11:30am, Friday 9:45-11:45am
Henry Adams is a junior studying Journalism. He studied abroad in Heidelberg for the full academic year of 2023-2024. During his time abroad, he visited nearly 40 cities across 17 different countries. Some of his favorite cities were Stockholm, Bologna, London, Belfast, Barcelona, and Berlin. One of his favorite ways to experience traveling Europe was trying as many local dishes as possible. But aside from traveling, many of his best memories were made on the weekends he stayed in Heidelberg, which meant eating breakfast along the Hauptstraße, playing ultimate frisbee at the castle, and enjoying relaxed quality time with friends. He is honored to make others as excited as he is about Pepperdine's Heidelberg program!
Mike Palumbo
michael.palumbo@pepperdine.edu
Switzerland Ambassador
Office Hours: Thursday 12-2pm, Friday 3-5pm
Mike Palumbo is a junior studying Business Administration. He studied abroad for the full academic year of 2023-2024, part of the first class of students to reside at Chateau D’Hauteville. When he wasn’t on the grounds of the property or spending time at Lac Leman or the Swiss Alps, Mike visited 20 countries across Europe, Africa, and Asia. Though back in Malibu now, Mike will always consider Hauteville home. From the sunsets at the Temple of Love to studying at the Grand Salon, Mike made sure to take full advantage of all that Switzerland had to offer. The programs Educational Field Trip to Kenya was Mike’s favorite trip of his year abroad. Spending time in local Kenyan villages and seeing lions and cheetahs in person are experiences that he will never forget. Mike is looking forward to staying connected with this life-changing program through his position as the Switzerland Ambassador!
Ishika Patel
ishika.patel@pepperdine.edu
London Ambassador
Office Hours: Thursday 10am-12pm, Friday 8-9:50am
Ishika Patel is a junior at Pepperdine University studying Philosophy. She spent the 2023-2024 academic year in London, and it was an unforgettable experience. Living in a flat in the heart of the city with a group of peers, she quickly fell in love with London's vibrant streets and rich cultural history. Ishika explored countless museums, historical sites, and dived into the amazing food scene. One aspect that really stood out to her was how London beautifully blends city life with nature – having serene spots like Hyde Park right in the middle of the busy city felt truly special. She also traveled across Europe, but London always had a unique charm that made it feel like a second home. Ishika made incredible friends and unforgettable memories, and she is excited to share her experiences with others. If you have any questions about studying abroad in London, feel free to reach out to her!
Jonas Bubach
jonas.bubach@pepperdine.edu
Washington D.C. Ambassador
Office Hours: Monday 12-2pm, Wednesday 3-5pm
Jonas Bubach is a junior studying political science and economics. He studied abroad in Germany in the fall of 2023 and in Washington, DC, in the spring of 2024. While in DC, he interned with The Heritage Foundation where he gained professional research and writing experience. Waking up each morning and seeing the Congressional Rotunda, walking a couple blocks to the White House, and taking in the historical monuments on the National Mall with friends is a truly unbeatable experience. He is excited to share his own abroad adventures and looks forward to motivating others to enhance their own college experience by studying abroad.
Thalia Markowski
thalia.markowski@pepperdine.edu
Global Fellows Ambassador
Office Hours: Wednesday 11am-1pm, Thursday 3-5pm
Thalia Markowski is a psychology major, religion minor, and a part of the Pepperdine Global Fellows. She studied abroad for the full academic year of 2023-2024 in London, as well as Summer 2023, and 2024 in London and Washington DC. While abroad, she explored much of London and became deeply involved in local campus ministries, and service projects. London became an urban playground for her many adventures, as a “city girl” from NYC she felt right at home. Her favorite things to do while abroad were eating her way through cafes, and hole-in-the-walk Middle Eastern restaurants so she could practice her Arabic. In all 4 programs she attended, she was also the RA and planned many events, cooked many meals, and maintained safety and peace while in the program. Now that she’s back in Malibu, she is thrilled to serve as the PGF ambassador and hopes to inspire other young minds to become globally minded, culturally humble, and servant-leadership oriented while traveling the world.