Workshop Memories
In just short three days, 127 participants representing nearly 60 countries and 70 U.S. host institutions gathered and fused friendships that crossed cultural, religious, and national backgrounds. As one student said, “The energy, friendship, and brotherhood uniting people across many countries for one purpose is something unique.” It’s always so hard to say goodbye after such a unifying experience, but we hope the lessons learned and friendships created last a lifetime!
This semester, the End of Program Workshop (EoP) was held April 12-15 and the weather couldn’t have been better for the Global UGRAD students to explore the nation’s capital with their new friends. The workshop focused on several themes: leadership, professional development, preparing for reverse culture shock, and becoming a program alum.
Some of the professional development topics included: social entrepreneurship, being an educator, public speaking, and conflict transformation. Ideas of diversity, inclusion, and unity were woven into each of the workshop sessions and, true to World Learning’s teaching approach, EoP was an experiential learning experience – students were up and moving from morning to afternoon, getting to know one another and learning lessons by doing.
The culmination of EoP was an event called “Take the Stage” when Global UGRAD participants were invited to share their talents and thoughts with the entire cohort. The students dazzled us with their cultural dances and reflections from their exchange experiences in the U.S.
We’re still seeing stars from all the camera flashes – there must have been thousands of photos taken! EoP is a highlight for us as well, and we miss the energy these participants brought to D.C. The Global UGRAD team is so grateful for the participation and engagement of all 127 leaders. The respect they paid one another and the encouragement they showered upon each other was extraordinary.
The most frequent feedback we received from the Global UGRAD participants? Make it longer!