Get to Know the World Learning Advisors
As Global UGRAD participants both past and present already know, you each interact with your World Learning advisors numerous times via email and video calls throughout the semester. Now that the majority of the Fall 2022 cohort is settling into life in the U.S., we wanted to take this opportunity to more formally introduce every member of the advising team.
Our team is divided by region – each region has two advisors, a Program Officer and Program Associate. In addition, our team is overseen by our Program Manager, and we recently added an intern to assist with program activities.
Program Manager – Michelle Bolourchi
Michelle joined the Global UGRAD team in April 2022.
In her own words: “I grew up in a bicultural household where my interest in international education and languages blossomed. My first time living abroad was during my junior year in college when I had the opportunity to study in Germany. I’m originally from Long Beach, California, so you can imagine what a difference it was for me to live in northern Germany where it rained for most of the year. Nevertheless, aside from improving my German, I was able to learn how to ride a bicycle while holding an umbrella! That came in handy when I returned as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant to Germany after I graduated. Since then, I have studied in South Africa and India and traveled extensively for work and fun. While I lived in India, I recruited students for NYU Abu Dhabi. I worked for the Fulbright Program when I moved to Washington, DC. In addition to my BA in International Studies and German, I completed an MA in Global Studies from Germany and an MPhil in Sociology of Education from India. I’m excited to be a part of the Global UGRAD team and look forward to meeting talented students from around the world.”
East Asia and the Pacific Regional Team
Senior Program Officer – Susan Yang
Susan Yang currently serves as a Global UGRAD Senior Program Officer for East Asia and Pacific regions. She started working for World Learning in August of 2018. Susan has a strong background in education including teaching abroad in South Korea and French Guiana for two years, leading programs in Southeast Asia for American students, and evaluating USAID education development projects in Senegal. She obtained her master’s degree in international education from the American University and bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Macalester College. California-born and Minnesota-raised, Susan is proud of her Hmong heritage and enjoys traveling, rock climbing, salsa dancing, and people watching.
Senior Program Associate – Sarah Halligan
Sarah Halligan works with students from East Asia and the Pacific as a Senior Program Associate. She started with the World Learning team in March 2021. She is currently based in Arlington, Virginia and is originally from Salt Lake City, Utah. Sarah’s background is in a combination of higher education and immigration law. She also completed her master’s in Security Policy from George Washington University. Outside of work, Sarah loves to climb, hike, and make cookies.
Europe and Africa Regional Team
Program Officer – Jordan Ferrick
Jordan Ferrick is the Global UGRAD Program Officer for the Europe and Africa regions. She joined the team in February 2022. Prior to joining World Learning, Jordan worked across the U.S. in positions focusing on advocacy and restorative justice, and also supported students at the American University of Phnom Penh in Cambodia. She obtained her master’s degree in sustainable development from the School of International Training, and her bachelor’s degree in international studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Program Associate – Keegan Povlsen
Keegan Povlsen is the Global UGRAD Program Associate for the Europe and Africa regions. He joined the team in October 2021. Originally from Boise, Idaho, he is now based in Northern Virginia where he recently graduated with a degree in Global Affairs from George Mason University (GMU). During his time at GMU he served as the university’s International Student Mentor for incoming students from Russia and Central Asia. He also completed a year of study at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow, where he coordinated cultural exchange events with the local Erasmus Student Network. Outside of work, Keegan is an avid concertgoer and has recently taken up cooking, especially Central European cuisine.
South and Central Asia & Fulbright Commissions Regional Team
Program Officer – Fifi Wang
Fifi Wang is the Global UGRAD Program Officer for the South and Central Asia regions, as well as Fulbright Commissions throughout Asia. She joined the team in October 2021 and prior to this, she helped implement the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program. Fifi is passionate about citizen diplomacy and international exchanges, in part due to her experiences living, studying, and working in Jordan, Egypt, China, and the United Kingdom. Born and raised in Northern Virginia (where she lives to this day), Fifi did venture outside of the D.C. area to obtain a master’s degree in international relations from the London School of Economics and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Alabama. Outside of work, she enjoys running, reading, and watching all kinds of sports.
Program Associate – Mason Doyle
Mason Doyle joined the team in April 2022 and is the Program Associate for the South and Central Asia regions, as well as the Fulbright Commissions throughout Asia. Originally from Asheville, North Carolina, Mason graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Global Studies. Prior to joining World Learning, he coordinated a fellowship program operated by the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area for a multi-cultural cohort of graduate students from DC-area universities. Mason always looks forward to working with this team and engaging with the inspirational Global UGRAD students from around the world. Outside of work, he enjoys writing, hiking, trivia, playing the trombone, and trying new foods.
Western Hemisphere and Middle East/North Africa Regional Team
Senior Program Officer – Amy Broome
Amy Broome is the Global UGRAD Senior Program Officer for the Western Hemisphere and Middle East/North Africa regions and has been a part of the team since March 2021. She currently lives in California but originally hails from Vermont. Amy has a Masters in Middle Eastern Studies from UT Austin, where she studied Arabic and Hebrew. She is very much inspired to work with World Learning because of her study abroad experiences in Beijing and Cairo and her Fulbright scholarship in Muscat, Oman. Amy’s background is in managing international exchange programs in the United States, both for high school students and J-1 work programs. Outside of work, Amy is a competitive ultimate frisbee player and enjoys playing board games.
Program Associate – Cameron Teaney
Cameron Teaney joined the team in March 2022 as the Program Associate for the NEA (Middle East and North Africa) and WHA (Latin America and the Caribbean) regions. Cameron previously worked as a teacher at an international school in Turkey. Her time and experiences there cultivated a desire to work in an international setting. Upon moving back to the U.S., she wanted to explore opportunities in such a setting outside of teaching, which ultimately led her to World Learning! In Cameron’s words: “I am excited to work with this organization in the Global UGRAD office, serving students from all around the world and helping facilitate a smooth international exchange experience.”
Intern – Katin Perez
Last but not least, we are excited to introduce the newest member of our team, Katin Perez! Katin will be serving as the Global UGRAD Intern throughout the Fall semester. In his own words:
“Hey everyone! My name is Katin Perez. I am an intern on the UGRAD Global team at World Learning. I grew up in a small town called Elloree, South Carolina, but I currently live in Arlington, VA. I am attending Georgetown University where I am earning a Master of Public Policy. I earned my bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina. When I am not reading for my courses, I love to binge watch movies and enjoy nature. I am also an avid sports fan. My favorite teams are my Gamecocks, the Yankees, Chelsea, and the Panthers. I am looking forward to having the opportunity to meet everyone and I hope everyone’s semester goes well!.”
The 2022 World Learning Advisors
