A second home in Mexico

Jade Gibeau ’26 likes to tell people that “luck” allowed her to study abroad three times during her undergraduate experience at Augsburg University, but actually, it was thanks to her faculty mentor and her initiative and planning.

When Gibeau was in high school, she didn’t think college was right for her. But with two key figures in her life—her mother and grandmother—who prioritized education, she decided she would at least consider it. With her mother’s help, she enrolled in a study abroad program in Costa Rica for her first semester, figuring if she had to go to college, she might as well do it somewhere fun. Although the program offered seamless transfer to the University of Oregon, Gibeau knew she wanted to return home to Minnesota. That’s when her stepfather, an alumnus of Augsburg’s PA program, suggested his alma mater. He believed Augsburg would be a great fit for her.

It was.

In May 2026, Gibeau graduated from Augsburg with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish, having completed three study abroad experiences in Cuernavaca, Mexico, through the Center for Global Education and Experience.

How did you decide to go to Mexico, and how did you manage three abroad trips there?
With my major being Spanish, going to Mexico made the most sense. I had to take a specific number of language classes, and there was much more variety abroad.

Originally, I wanted to go to Cuba for a summer program, but there wasn’t enough interest, so the trip was canceled. Thankfully, I worked with my faculty mentor, Sarah Degner Riveros ’22 MFA, to get into another summer program: Mexico. I fell in love with it. I stayed with a host family for seven weeks. When choosing a location for my required semester abroad, Mexico was the obvious choice because its curriculum aligned directly with my interests in politics, culture, history, and language.

During my first semester-long experience in Mexico, I found a community. I got to know program staff members and other families. It felt like a second home to me. While in Mexico, I looked at my requirements for my major and found that I had met many of them. Then I found that the electives I wanted to take were only offered during the spring semester. I shared this with the Mexico program director, and she suggested that I return in the fall semester. I had one week to decide before the application was due. The decision was very easy. I ended up in Mexico for another semester.

How did your faculty mentor help you with your abroad experiences?
Sarah was the light that I needed. Even after I got to Augsburg, I was in a hard place and I felt like I was wandering around with no clear direction. She lit my path—like a guardian angel.

Not only did she get me to that summer Mexico trip, but she has helped grow my network with introductions to important people. Her name has so much value to people from all over, and she has introduced me to so many people in Mexico and all over the world.

She started as my faculty mentor, then as my professor, and now as my friend. I am thankful to have met her.

Is there a specific story, conversation, or unexpected moment from one of your trips that completely changed your perspective on your major or future path?
It was more of a confirmation that I was in the right place, on the right track to the future I wanted. I remember it was just one of my classmates and me in our Spanish class, and we were talking about what we wanted to do after we graduated. I explained why I wanted to be a medical translator, and my classmate started to tear up. She told me that her grandpa had passed away the previous summer from an asthma attack. He went to the hospital, but because there was no Spanish-speaking staff and a severe translator shortage, he couldn’t communicate his needs. His condition worsened before they could determine the root cause.

I felt it was a sign that I was going down the right path. I just want to help people by doing something I’m good at and am passionate about.

Living in Mexico allowed me to practice Spanish daily with native speakers. I can now communicate much more naturally and effectively, whether discussing complex medical topics or everyday conversations. It’s a skill I’m really confident in.

How did your abroad experiences impact your life?
So many ways! Right now, I am working at a dental office. In the offer email, they mentioned that what made me stand out was my experience being abroad. Being able to talk about growth and learning far away from home and adapting to new communities, cultures, and situations—that was something I brought to the table.

However, I am in the process of completing my application for a master’s in translation, interpretation, and communication in Scotland. If I get accepted, I will start in the fall. I never thought I would pursue a master’s degree, let alone a master’s program abroad. So I’m very proud of myself.

Lastly, traveling grew my love of learning. Again, I didn’t want to go to college, but traveling showed me that there was so much more to learning. Traveling has become second nature, and I now travel with intention. I’m not going as a tourist; I’m going as a traveler. Being a traveler means to learn and to experience. Put me somewhere where I’m talking to the locals. I have grown because of my love for traveling and my newfound love for learning.