Alumni Spotlight: Guatemala

Alumni Spotlight: Guatemala

Hello, I am Jacky Salazar, a UGRAD alum from Guatemala who attended American University in the spring semester of 2017. The Global UGRAD Program is a life-changing experience that fosters both professional and personal growth in each and every participant. It also allows you to be part of a family that extends across countries and cohorts. My experiences as a …

Host Partner Feature: North Central College

Host Partner Feature: North Central College

World Learning is excited to feature North Central College (NCC) in this month’s Host Partner Feature! For the Spring 2023 term, North Central College was home to four Global UGRAD students: Volha Bahdanava (Belarus), Arayan Khare (India), Maria Gonzalez (Dominican Republic), and Makedon Yunoev (Tajikistan). Ann (Annie) Carnell, the Associate Director of International Enrollment Management, shared with World Learning how North …

End of Program Workshop Photo Contest

End of Program Workshop Photo Contest

During last month’s End of Program Workshop, the winning images of the Global UGRAD photo contest were featured during the final dinner celebration. The World Learning team received an overwhelming number of photos from participants this semester, and as is tradition, the team selected a few favorites! – Hali Abdoulaye Aboubacar (Niger, Minnesota State University Mankato) roasting marshmallows with friends. – …

First Impressions: Spring 2022

First Impressions: Spring 2022

With the spring semester fully kicked off at all of our host universities across the United States, Global UGRADs have had a chance to get settled in and make first impressions! There are so many new sights to see and experiences to be had, it is always enlightening to hear directly from participants about what stands out as unique at …

Global UGRAD Students Reflect on Thanksgiving

Global UGRAD Students Reflect on Thanksgiving

This November, many of the Global UGRAD students had the opportunity to experience their first Thanksgiving. Below you can read some of their reflections about spending the day with friends, university staff, and their friendship families! This year instead of repeating Season 5 episode 1 from Friends “The One with All the Thanksgivings,” I had the opportunity to experience it …

Global UGRAD Student Spotlight: Hadyatulloi Azimzoda

Global UGRAD Student Spotlight: Hadyatulloi Azimzoda

World Learning is proud to feature in this month’s Global Gazette the story of Hadyatulloi Azimzoda. Hadyatulloi is a 2019-2020 Global UGRAD participant from Tajikistan studying at Georgia State College and University who was featured prominently in an article on his host university’s website. As the semester progresses, we are thrilled to be showcasing the experiences, goals, and accomplishments of Global …

Meeting with Global UGRADs in Uzbekistan

Meeting with Global UGRADs in Uzbekistan

During my exchange through Global UGRAD, I tried to travel to different places to discover the United States from interesting perspectives. After I returned to Tajikistan, I continued to travel but this time exploring Central Asia. Consequently, a month after my return home, I ventured to Uzbekistan. During the trip, I remembered my tight connections with some of the Global …

Celebrating International Women’s Day: A Woman I Admire

Celebrating International Women’s Day: A Woman I Admire

To celebrate International Women’s Day, Global UGRAD students reflected on women from all backgrounds and walks of life who have inspired them to pursue their dreams. Maureen Tejeda, Dominican Republic, University Houston-Victoria: The woman who has inspired me to continue pursuing my dreams is the best known as “RBG”, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of …

Celebrating the Lunar New Year Across the U.S.!

Celebrating the Lunar New Year Across the U.S.!

Zihan Xu, China, Emporia State University: The year of the pig in the lunar calendar has just come. This is my first time spending the Spring Festival away from family and friends. The Spring Festival is the most important festival for Chinese people. This is when families reunite to enjoy meals and conversations. No matter how far people are from their …

Community Service: Rukhshona Sharipova

Community Service: Rukhshona Sharipova

I spent my Global UGRAD exchange semester at Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina. Due to my strong interest in migration, global development, and humanitarian assistance, I volunteered for the Church World Service Immigration and Refugee Program as a community mentor and English language tutor for a refugee family from Africa. By working for the Immigration and Refugee Program, I …