Meron Berhanu
International alumna joins VCU’s Education Abroad office
Meron Berhanu (B.S. ’08/School of World Studies) knows firsthand about the advantages of international experiences while in college.
A native of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, until 2002, Berhanu — an International Studies graduate — participated in a semester study abroad program in Seville, Spain, during her senior year at Virginia Commonwealth University.
After graduation, the 22-year-old knew she wanted to stay in Richmond and quickly found an opportunity as a summer assistant with VCU’s Education Abroad office. One month later, she transitioned to a full-time adviser position.
“It just worked out for me,” Berhanu said.
As an international adviser in Education Abroad, she easily relates to current students through her own experiences growing up in Ethiopia, studying abroad in Spain and previously working with Education Abroad programs as a VCU resident assistant.
“I enjoy talking to the students and telling them about their options,” Berhanu said. “I’m able to open a lot of doors that they probably didn’t know.”
She spends her days on campus hosting general information sessions and meeting with students one-on-one to discuss studying abroad.
Berhanu has also expanded her love of traveling when she served as the director’s assistant to VCU professor Eduardo Vidal during the Education Abroad winter intersession program in Brazil.
“It was an amazing opportunity,” she said. “I spent the New Year on the beach in Rio de Janeiro.”
Berhanu said she found a full-time position that melds her international interests and familiarity with VCU.
“I couldn’t have found a better job to transition into the real world,” she said. “I feel comfortable working with the students here and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”
