Community Service Spotlight: Fall 2023

Community Service Spotlight: Fall 2023

Each semester, Global UGRAD students across the United States complete a minimum of 20 hours of community service to fulfill their Global UGRAD program requirement. This fall, students embraced the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to their host communities by doing everything from volunteering at local charitable organizations to cleaning up local parks and gardens. Below are highlights from some of …

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 …

Host Site Visit: San Francisco State University

Host Site Visit: San Francisco State University

Last month, Global UGRAD program officer Amy Broome visited San Francisco State University to meet with students, tour the campus, and connect with the many individuals on campus who make the semester so successful for Global UGRAD students. San Francisco State University (SF State), a part of the California State University system, is located in the southwest corner of San Francisco, …

Alumni Updates: Tanay Katiyar, Sowparnika Jayakumar, and Tasneem Zahra (India)

Alumni Updates: Tanay Katiyar, Sowparnika Jayakumar, and Tasneem Zahra (India)

Alumni Class Secretary Tanay Katiyar for 2019-2020 Indian cohort recently asked his peers to reflect on their Global UGRAD experiences and update readers on significant academic and professional accomplishments, as well as future goals. After the Global UGRAD Program, Tasneem Zahra has become more responsible, independent, decisive, and serious toward her academic pursuits. A movie enthusiast, Tasneem now watches one …

Alumni Reflections

Alumni Reflections

Studying in the U.S. as a Global UGRAD student has not only had an impact on my academic skills, but it has also expanded my career scope, perspectives, and increased my awareness. I enjoyed every single aspect of the program starting from community service to living with an American roommate. Even though it wouldn’t be accurate to call any country …

Celebrating Diwali

Celebrating Diwali

Pooja Das, India, St. Ambrose University Last month I celebrated Diwali, a very important Hindu festival which is celebrated with great enthusiasm by many around the world. I had a wonderful Diwali at St. Ambrose University with my friends, including my Global UGRAD friends! We all dressed in our traditional clothes and had dinner together. Additionally, I was invited by a …

An Unforgettable Experience by Soumayani Ghoshal

The Global UGRAD experience leaves an indelible impact on each of our minds and urges us to keep following our dreams while working towards developing our community. The community service hours taught me the importance of caring and giving back to society. This inspired a group of fellow alumni and me to begin our own mini organization called the Glow …

Friendships: Looking Back and Looking Forward

Friendships: Looking Back and Looking Forward

When first arriving in the United States, it can be hard to breakthrough those superficial boundaries and develop deep connections with Americans. Of course as our Global UGRAD students have found, the effort is always worth it. Each semester our students forge beautiful, rewarding friendships. Now, as another semester comes to an end, and our Global UGRAD students wave goodbye …

Alumni Edition: Where is my UGRAD Post Now?

Alumni Edition: Where is my UGRAD Post Now?

Johanny Amaya Melgar, Honduras, Global UGRAD 2015-16 at Emporia State University From where I stand today – at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras – I help to empower the most vulnerable youth in my community through English language, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills. It’s incredible to see these youth actually smiling and dreaming of a better future, with them in it. …

All Hands on Deck! Stories of Community Service from Around the World – Part I

All Hands on Deck! Stories of Community Service from Around the World – Part I

Community service is an integral part of the Global UGRAD experience. Beyond being a program requirement, Global UGRAD participants embrace civic engagement as one of the most valuable, enjoyable, and rewarding parts of their semester in the U.S. As the spring semester students gear up to begin their own service activities, we would like to highlight the outstanding volunteer work …