Alumni updates – Costa Rica & Venezuela

Sergio Venegas Gamboa (2011-12) was recently chosen by the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica as it “alumni of the month” and featured in an article in the embassy’s bi-monthly alumni newsletter. During his UGRAD Program, Sergio learned not only about new cultures and manners of thinking, but also to believe in himself and reach for his dreams. After returning home, …

Alumni updates – Indonesia & Vietnam

Indonesia Josefhine Chitra (2011-12) graduated in 2013 with the title of “Best Graduate.” She currently works as a communication consultant at Maverick, where she was promoted within nine months. She volunteers bi-weekly teaching at an alternative school for victims of expulsion and became a Model United Nations coach and English debate adjudicator. She recently coached a team of Indonesian students …

Reflections on Leadership

Leadership is a fundamental part of the Global UGRAD program. During our Re-entry Workshops we had a number of sessions dedicated to discussing leadership in a broader context. What does it mean to be a leader? What defines leadership? What are the different forms of leadership? Then, a few weeks after we had our Western Hemisphere students reflect upon the …

The Majesty of Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls, one of the greatest waterfalls in North America, attracts thousands of tourists every year. The most spontaneous falls in the world are located on the border between the Canadian province of Ontario and the state of New York. Recently, my friends and I decided to visit Niagara Falls. We started our long road trip early in the morning: …

My Research Journey

Ever since I was a kid I was amazed by science and discovering something new, doing things that no one had done before. I like when I can practically apply things that I learn in class. This is one of the main reasons that I chose to study agriculture, or to be specific, plant protection. I found it to be …

What is the Meaning of your Fate?

It was a cold and harsh winter Sunday when I was coming back from a long trip, exhausted and bored. Silently watching the other people with all of their expressed and non-expressed acts in the bus station, I noticed a middle-aged woman. She was very loud, she laughed and talked with everyone. Then she caught my eyes. We smiled at …

Global UGRAD: A Life-Changing Opportunity

Before it all began It was a sunny day in mid-October 2012 when I heard about the Global UGRAD Program from a friend. I told him “Nah, it’s not for me,” but then he reminded me that United States of America had always been a dream country of mine. True, I agreed, yet I was still reluctant to apply for …

A Fond Farewell

 Congratulations! You should all be immensely proud of your accomplishments – both large and small. You have completed the Global UGRAD Program, and you deserve a great deal of recognition for doing so. We at World Learning would like to thank you for being a dynamic, responsible, and interactive group, and it was a true pleasure working with all of …

Alumni updates – Serbia

Kristina Koprivica graduated from the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Novi Sad with a degree in Journalism in 2013. As a 2010-11 Global UGRAD alum at the University of Maine, Kristina reflects on how much she has grown, both professionally and academically, during her time in the U.S. She wants to work in a field related to journalism, …

UGRAD Re-entry Workshop Photos

March was an exciting month for us as we welcomed 78 UGRADers from the Western Hemisphere and East Asia and the Pacific for two Spring Re-entry Workshops. During this time, students participated in community service activities around the DC area, shared their experiences at their host institutions, learned about each others’ cultures, and made plans for the future. Click on …