Stephanie Lepak fostered her passion for international education as a first-generation undergraduate student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, studying abroad in Spain and Italy. Some highlights include contributing to project planning for the Global Compact while working within an international team setting in Asturias and gaining hands-on experience in biological agriculture while working on a sustainable cooperative farm in Rome. On campus, she interned at the LAS International Programs Office promoting study abroad to students, supporting both domestic and visiting exchange students on their journey.
A word she learned in Spain and always loves to use is “aprovechar”, meaning “to make the most of”- a principle she lives by. Grateful for her opportunities, she is eager to help others seize the transformative experiences that international education offers and is committed to making study abroad fair and accessible for underrepresented students.
In her free time, Stephanie enjoys reading, honing her language skills, exploring nature on walks, and savoring a good cup of coffee.