Study Abroad
Meet Our Team
Rishad Gandhi
Study Abroad Coordinator
559.278.6288 | rgandhi@mail.fresnostate.edu
Rishad Gandhi is the Study Abroad Coordinator and is responsible for the planning,
development, and implementation of outbound international programming including semester
and yearlong study abroad programs, international exchange programs and faculty-led
travel study programs. He also manages the operations of the Study Abroad office.
Rishad grew up in Kolkata, India and moved to the United States in 2000. He received
his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Texas Christian University and
his Master’s degree in Education Leadership and Policy Studies from the University
of Kansas.
Marcela Magdaleno
Study Abroad Advisor
559.278.6452 | marcela@mail.fresnostate.edu
Marcela is responsible for advising students in all stages of Study Abroad. She joined
Continuing and Global Education in 2013. Marcela is a first-generation college student,
very proud two-time Fresno State alumna and study abroad alumna. She was born and
raised in Mexico and immigrated to the United States at the age of 11 years old. She
loves working with students and her reward is hearing about the students' experience.
Marcela delights in seeing students’ pictures after coming back from abroad. Marcela
describes herself as an international soul living in the Central Valley.
Aspen Cervantes
Study Abroad Student Assistant
Aspen is a junior transfer student at Fresno State pursuing Art and Linguistics. Through
AIFS, she studied in Florence, Italy, during the Summer of 2023. Since then, Aspen’s
love for traveling has grown, with aspirations to travel to Japan soon and Greece.
Her passion for art and languages grows with each of her travels. She now hopes to
spread this love for traveling with bulldogs at Fresno State and encourage more students
to study abroad!
Simranjeet Sekhon
Study Abroad Student Assistant
She is a senior at Fresno State and is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
and Women’s Studies.Through CSUIP, Simranjeet had the opportunity to study abroad
in the United Kingdom during the Spring 2023 semester. Her love of travel has taken
her to many countries including Australia, Greece, India, Turkey, Spain, and Fiji.
Traveling the world allows Simran to meet new people and learn about different cultures
leading to enriching experiences whether it is done with family, friends, or by herself.
Studying abroad is something she’ll recommend to other Bulldogs as it’s an amazing
opportunity.
Marco Arias
USAC Ambassador
Marco is pursuing a Bachelor’s in Computer Information Systems at Fresno State. With
the support of Fresno State's Study Abroad office, Marco expanded his academic journey
beyond the classroom by participating in two study abroad programs. In the Fall of
2023, he joined the USAC program in Nishinomiya, Japan, and followed it up with HWR
Berlin Exchange in the summer of 2024. These global experiences have enriched his
education and allowed him to forge meaningful connections worldwide, profoundly impacting
his personal and professional life. Marco’s ambition to study abroad has inspired
him to share his experiences with others, helping them to explore the incredible opportunities
that studying abroad can offer.
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