Alumni Spotlight: El Salvador
My name is Julian Moreno, and I am from El Salvador. I had the privilege of participating in the Global UGRAD Program in 2011, where I had a transformative exchange experience at Cal Poly Humboldt (formerly Humboldt State University). I would like to share how my experiences since returning to El Salvador have shaped my life and continue to guide my professional and personal growth.
Upon returning to El Salvador in 2012 after my time at Humboldt, I dove straight back into my studies and completed my bachelor’s degree. I was eager to give back to my community, so I volunteered as a teaching assistant at my university while also offering English language courses in my hometown. This early exposure to education beyond the classroom ignited a curiosity within me to continue exploring global opportunities.
The Global UGRAD Program encouraged me to push boundaries, and in 2014, I participated in the Amity Teacher Exchange Program as part of its first cohort from El Salvador. My internship took me to St. Paul, Minnesota, where I had the opportunity to teach and deepen my understanding of educational systems and cultures while living with an amazing host family, who are now people very close to my heart. Both UGRAD and Amity significantly shaped my worldview, inspiring me to value cultural exchange and expand my cultural intelligence, which continues to guide my work and personal life.
In 2018, my curiosity and desire for new experiences led me to China, where I became a curriculum planner and developer for an international school in Beijing. I spent two enriching years there, learning from my international and local colleagues and students, and it was during this time that I met my wife. Our journey took us to Finland, where I transitioned into early childhood education in 2020. I have since furthered my studies in education at the University of Helsinki, and I am now an educator in one of the best educational systems in the world.
Reflecting on this path, I realize how much UGRAD has impacted my life. I often think back to the diverse group of individuals I met during my time at Humboldt and how those relationships continue to shape me. Through these experiences, I have created a global network of friends, colleagues, and former classmates who inspire me daily to reach for new goals. Now as a father, husband, and lifelong learner, I find my cultural experience richer and more fulfilling than ever before.
Looking towards the future, I have two key goals. Professionally, I hope to serve as an educational bridge between the teaching communities of El Salvador and Finland, sharing best practices and fostering collaboration. I believe that through this exchange, both countries can learn from each other and improve their educational systems. Personally, I am eager to continue traveling, exploring different cultures, and embracing the vibrant diversity the world has to offer. My small family and I are on this journey together, and with each new place we discover, we unlock a deeper understanding of the world around us.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned along this journey, it’s that the path to personal and professional fulfillment often begins with a single step—one that, in my case, was taken through UGRAD. The experiences and opportunities I’ve had since then would not have been possible without this program, and for that, I am forever grateful.