What’s in Your Bag?

What’s in Your Bag?

As snow descends on much of the United States, the majority of the spring 2024 Global UGRAD students are busy unpacking their bags and settling into campus life for the semester, while others are finishing penultimate preparations in their home countries before their departure later this month. Equally important to all the new experiences each student will have in the …

Alumni Spotlight: A Global UGRAD Mini-Reunion

Alumni Spotlight: A Global UGRAD Mini-Reunion

In the spirit of fostering lifelong connections and celebrating the diverse achievements of Global UGRAD alumni, Michelle Cerén (El Salvador), Sophia Pylypyuk (Ukraine), and Abdessadeq Ourkiya (Morocco), recently embarked on a reunion that transcended borders and cultures. All three were Global UGRAD participants at Marymount University in the Fall 2016 semester. In this collaborative article, they share about their experience …

Host Partner Feature: Western Washington University

Host Partner Feature: Western Washington University

This month, World Learning is thrilled to spotlight Western Washington University (WWU), which is located in Bellingham, Washington. To shed light on WWU’s commitment to international students, World Learning reached out to Richard Bruce, Director of International Student & Scholar Services, who has played a pivotal role in supporting Global UGRAD participants. Let’s dive into the conversation with Richard to …

Host Site Visits: Minnesota State University Mankato & Missouri State University

Host Site Visits: Minnesota State University Mankato & Missouri State University

  Minnesota State University Mankato This semester, Global UGRAD Program Officer Sarah Halligan had the opportunity to visit Minnesota State University (MNSU) Mankato. It was an opportunity to meet with various departments within the university and also meet the five students who attended MNSU Mankato this spring: Abdoulaye Hali Aboubacar (Niger), Ayu Silvia (Indonesia), Khamla Invongkham (Laos), Sharon Colindres (Honduras), and …

Experiencing America: UGRAD Travel Stories

Experiencing America: UGRAD Travel Stories

Experiencing the United States and American culture through travel is an essential part of the Global UGRAD program. During the semester, World Learning has heard many stories of the incredible experiences Global UGRAD participants have had around the U.S. Below are some highlights of the culturally-enriching places the spring 2023 Global UGRADs have traveled to!   “Hello everyone! I am …

Host Partner Feature: University of Central Missouri

Host Partner Feature: University of Central Missouri

World Learning is excited to showcase the University of Central Missouri (UCM) in this month’s host partner feature! UCM is currently home to seven Global UGRAD participants: Medgunowsky Balthazar II Laguerre (Haiti), Qori Fadila (Indonesia), Sheila Jamal (Mozambique), Holman Castro (Nicaragua), Cheolmin Park (South Korea), Bibinyyaz Omarova (Turkmenistan), and Orest Matsiyevsky (Ukraine). Wesley Hobson, Coordinator of Exchange and Sponsored Programs at UCM, shared how …

End of Program Workshop

End of Program Workshop

For many Global UGRAD alumni, the End of Program Workshop hosted in Washington, DC is one of the highlights of their Global UGRAD program. For the first time in three years, World Learning was able to host the workshop in person! Students arrived in Washington, DC on November 12 and began with a dinner featuring two student speakers, Lucy Khama Kalindekafe …

End of Program Workshop: Photo Contest

End of Program Workshop: Photo Contest

Last month, Global UGRADs from host campuses around the country gathered in Washington, DC for the first End of Program Workshop in three years. The workshop primarily focused on professional and leadership development, as well as team building. However, at the core of the workshop was an emphasis on cultivating a sense of community among these international exchange students. As …

Global UGRADs Take the Stage (Virtually)

Global UGRADs Take the Stage (Virtually)

Presenting spring 2020’s edition of Take the Stage! While we were unable to host our biannual Take the Stage show in person this year, some of our talented spring participants submitted videos of their performances representing their home countries and cultures. Check out this video compilation to see this past semester’s performances: In Order of Appearance Tajikistan: Sitora Sufijinova, Alisher Siddiqov, …