Congratulations to the U.S. Department of State’s Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) winners! This year, four Global UGRAD alumni were part of teams that won in two different categories. You can see the countries and project names of the winning Global UGRAD alumni teams below, or view all of the 2020 AEIF winners here. Guatemala: Training Indigenous Women for the Defense …
Alumni , Latin America and the Caribbean , Lincoln University , Panama
I live each moment for the next, in search of the new big thing, of a new adventure, but seldom reflecting on the defining moments of my past. Recently I was faced with the shocking realization of the 9th anniversary of my Global UGRAD experience. In August 2011, a younger Shantal took an airplane for the first time for an …
Academic Exchange , Alumni , Grand Valley State University , Ukraine
It is December 2020, I am at my home in a small Ukrainian town called Kamianets-Podilskyi. It is hard to believe that almost one year ago I was studying in the United States of America. There are a few maps in my room from my campus in Allendale, Michigan, a Global UGRAD Post sheet, and some posters from Grand Valley …
Alumni , East Asia and the Pacific , Eurasia , Honduras , Laos , Latin America and the Caribbean , Serbia
Augusto Barón, Honduras, West Virginia University, Global UGRAD 2017-2018 Back when I returned to my country, I was just in time to retake my university duties. Quite literally, the next day after my landing I was in a health clinic working. Back to the old grind, but with fresh perspectives on what I could do and would do. A mindset …
Academic Exchange , Burma , Dominican Republic , East Asia and the Pacific , Latin America and the Caribbean , Myanmar
Last month, our Virtual English Language Training (ELT) participants were asked to consider the importance of international exchange and what it means to them. Some observed International Education Week, taking part in online U.S. Department of State-organized events. Two current Virtual ELT students, Aung Khant Ko and Heidy Molina, shared their experiences at virtual IEW events and how international education …
Bangladesh , East Asia and the Pacific , Guatemala , Latin America and the Caribbean , Philippines , South Asia
This month, we asked our 2020-2021 Global UGRAD finalists to share a bit about winter celebrations in their home countries. While the holidays throughout this year have been very different, read on to learn more about how this time of year is traditionally celebrated across the world. Virgilio Roi C. Adaptar, Philippines Dubbed as the longest yuletide celebration in the …
American Host Institutions , California State University Monterey Bay , Host Feature
Global UGRAD is excited to feature yet another host partner from one of the many universities that host program participants during their time in the United States. Sugeyth Ronquillo, Academic Programs Coordinator and DSO/ARO at California State University – Monterey Bay (CSUMB) shares some of the ways CSUMB promotes international connections on campus. You can find out more about this university …
American Host Institutions , Troy University
We are proud to feature our long-standing host institution partner, Troy University. Jamie Deanna Sessions, an International Student Advisor who works directly with Global UGRAD participants, shares how Troy University promotes international connections on campus. 1. What does your orientation for international students involve? Our International Student Orientation involves welcoming our incoming students to Troy University and giving them the …