Get to Know the World Learning Advisors
Global UGRAD participants communicate a great deal with their World Learning advisors through email and video calls during their semester in the United States. As we begin a new academic year, we would like to formally introduce the World Learning advising team.
Students are supported by a Program Officer and a Program Associate. We recently welcomed two new Program Associates – Viaxaly Ayon Heredia and Natalie Jordan – who joined World Learning this summer!
Western Hemisphere (Latin America and the Caribbean) and Middle East/North Africa Regional Team
Senior Program Officer – Amy Broome
Amy Broome has been a part of the team since March 2021 and brings a wealth of international experience to her role. She currently lives in Texas but originally hails from Vermont. Amy has a master’s in Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Texas at 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 to 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.
Senior Program Associate – Cameron Teaney
Cameron Teaney joined the team in March 2022. After receiving an undergraduate degree in International Relations from Samford University, Cameron 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! When she’s not working, Cameron enjoys activities outside, cooking, and exploring her new home with her husband in Southwest Virginia.
South and Central Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Philippines Regional Team
Program Officer – Melanie Winters
Melanie Winters began working with World Learning in March 2023. She is from a small town south of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Her passion for travel started at a young age as she watched her grandparents travel the world. Melanie was an exchange student in Germany in high school and went on to study Peace, Conflict, and Irish Studies at Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland during her undergraduate program. She has a master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs and has spent most of her education and professional career in the International Education field. She is passionate about cultural exchange and looks forward to supporting and encouraging students coming to the U.S. as well as learning from their diverse perspectives. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, camping, kayaking, playing board games, going to concerts, and spending time outdoors with her husband and dogs, Liebe and Chip.
Senior Program Associate – Mason Doyle
Mason Doyle has worked at World Learning since April 2022. Originally from Asheville, North Carolina, Mason graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Global Studies. During his undergraduate career, he participated in an exchange program in Scotland. Prior to joining World Learning, he coordinated a fellowship program for international graduate students in Washington, DC. Mason is excited to continue engaging with inspirational students from around the world through the Global UGRAD program. Outside of work, he enjoys writing, hiking, trivia, playing the trombone, and trying new foods.
Europe and Eurasia Regional Team
Program Officer – Jordan Ferrick
Jordan Ferrick has served as the Global UGRAD Program Officer for the Europe and Eurasia region since February 2022. Prior to joining World Learning, Jordan worked across the country 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 in Vermont, and her bachelor’s degree in international studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Program Associate – Viaxaly Ayon Heredia
Viaxaly Ayon Heredia recently joined the Global UGRAD team in July 2023 as the Program Associate for the Europe and Eurasia region. She graduated from American University’s School of International Service where she focused her studies on migration and peace and conflict resolution. Her experiences growing up in a bi-national environment and being an exchange student in South Africa, Germany, and Italy sparked Viaxaly’s desire to promote cultural understanding and provide students with an opportunity to build relationships across the globe. Outside of work, Viaxaly loves being outdoors and going hiking, as well as trying new kinds of food and discussing different cuisines from around the world.
East Asia and the Pacific Regional Team
Program Officer – Sarah Halligan
Sarah Halligan started at World Learning in March 2021 and currently works with students from East Asia and the Pacific as the region’s Program Officer. 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 completed her master’s in Security Policy from The George Washington University. When she is not working, Sarah loves to climb, hike, and bake cookies.
Program Associate – Natalie Jordan
Natalie Jordan joined the team in July 2023 as the Program Associate for the East Asia and Pacific region. Originally from Georgia, Natalie completed her undergraduate studies at The George Washington University in Washington, DC, where her curiosity for international development, anthropology, and geography grew. Her professional interests revolve around advocating and empowering underrepresented communities and causes and promoting education as a tool for international development. In her own words: “World Learning is an exemplary organization designing unique objectives en route to accomplishing sustainable international development.” Outside of the office, Natalie is a competitive Mah Jongg player, an amateur interior designer, and enjoys true crime/mystery podcasts!