Host Site Visit: University of Wyoming
This spring, World Learning will visit four Global UGRAD host campuses across the country. Visiting partner universities and colleges affords World Learning staff the opportunity to get an ‘on-the-ground’ experience and meet university staff and students in person. This month, Global UGRAD program officer, Jordan Ferrick, visited the University of Wyoming – home of the Cowboys!
Not pictured: Tatiana Matsygorova (Russia)
The University of Wyoming (UW) is located in Laramie, Wyoming, a small town surrounded by flat plains and encroaching mountains. The university was founded in 1886 before Wyoming was even declared an official state. It is the only university in Wyoming and is a land grant university. UW has approximately 500 international students from 80 countries, making up about 4.5% of the student body. UW aims to further increase this number in the future. While visiting, Jordan was able to learn a great deal about the campus, the academic programs, and what students can do for fun in their free time. Jordan noted that the staff was kind, helpful, and clearly eager to help the students in any way they could.
During her visit, Jordan met with Jill Johnson, director of the Office of International Students and Scholars (ISS) and the primary contact for the Global UGRAD program at UW. Jill is an amazing partner as she is incredibly connected to the students and continuously goes above and beyond to ensure they have a successful and enriching experience during their program.
Jordan met with the numerous offices involved in student success and those that work directly with Global UGRAD students. The International Students and Scholars office is extremely active and ensures students feel comfortable dropping in or making appointments for any support they may need. They host a weekly Wednesday coffee hour, where students are encouraged to come by and socialize with staff and other students. The Global UGRAD students raved about how supportive the international student office is and how they feel like UW is their home and ISS is their family. It was reinforced during this visit what an excellent host the University of Wyoming is!
In addition to meeting with UW staff and touring the beautiful campus, a highlight of Jordan’s visit was meeting the Global UGRAD students. Below is a list of the UW Global UGRAD cohort, including their home countries and areas of study:
Helen Assefa, Ethiopia, Political Science
Aaron Castillo, Honduras, Chemical Engineering
Andre’ Socorro Doria, Philippines, Communications
Munkhsaikhan Jambalsanid, Mongolia, Engineering
Duangdaophet Keobounphanh, Laos, Political Science
Tatiana Matsygorova, Russia, International Relations
Not pictured: Andre’ Socorro Doria and Tatiana Matsygorova
Students discussed how their semesters were going, their first impressions of UW, what they have learned so far, and what they will be sharing with their friends and family when they return home. This cohort has grown extremely close and has learned about each other’s cultures in ways they never could have imagined. Jordan enjoyed seeing the friendships among students and how supportive they are of one another.
World Learning would like to thank the University of Wyoming, the International Student and Scholars office, and Jill Johnson for making this site visit a huge success! UW is a valuable partner and World Learning looks forward to working with them in the future.
