Community Service Spotlight: Fall 2023

Community Service Spotlight: Fall 2023

Each semester, Global UGRAD students across the United States complete a minimum of 20 hours of community service to fulfill their Global UGRAD program requirement. This fall, students embraced the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to their host communities by doing everything from volunteering at local charitable organizations to cleaning up local parks and gardens. Below are highlights from some of …

Fall Fun

Fall Fun

As summer bids adieu and the vibrant colors of fall paint the landscape, there’s an undeniable magic that sweeps across the United States. For Global UGRADs, this season brings forth a variety of experiences unlike any other. The crisp air, the rustling leaves, and the pumpkin-spiced everything create an unforgettable immersion into the cultural richness of autumn in the United …

Spring 2023 Host Institution Partners

Spring 2023 Host Institution Partners

The Global UGRAD Program would not be a success without the dedicated partnership of over 80 universities across the United States each academic year. Through the rigorous host application and selection process, World Learning gains new insights into the unique culture and diverse academic strengths that each university or college offers. This semester, World Learning is proud to partner with …

Halloween

Halloween

Many UGRADs experienced their first Halloween this year in the United States. Several students dressed up in costumes, attended parties and participated in Halloween-related activities. Elian Gonzalez, a student from Panama studying at Keuka College in Upstate New York, thoroughly enjoyed the holiday. “It was wonderful to celebrate Halloween for the first time in the USA,” Gonzalez said. “I shared …

In the Classroom

In the Classroom

This fall, more than 150 Global UGRAD students are experiencing their first semester in American university classrooms. Whether it’s engaging in a new method of instruction, studying a new subject, or just learning in a new environment, UGRADs have been fully immersed in the academic component of their program. The emphasis on class discussion and participation is a big difference …

Experiencing America: Cross-Cultural Perspectives

Experiencing America: Cross-Cultural Perspectives

Now about halfway into their program, our Global UGRADs from Europe and Central Asia have had many opportunities to engage with their host communities. Their experiences have helped them gain insight into American life and build connections between their host communities and their communities back home. Check out some of their favorite experiences below! Dilnaz Imeramzayeva, Kazakhstan, SUNY – Plattsburgh:  On …

Alumni Update: Yacoub Dahah, Mauritania

Alumni Update: Yacoub Dahah, Mauritania

I was first introduced to the Bin Bayyah Foundation in 2015 by ECNU (the English Club of Nouakchott University) because they needed interpreters for the Starkey Hearing Foundation mission that they were sponsoring, which lasted for a week. I went back to volunteering for them during their second mission with the American Starkey Hearing Foundation early in 2017, but this …

Spring 2019 Photo Contest

Spring 2019 Photo Contest

Each spring, we ask current Global UGRAD participants to share photos of their experiences in the U.S. through a photo contest. This year, we asked students to submit photos in five categories: Community Service, American Experiences, Sharing Your Culture, School Spirit, and Travel & Leisure. See below the winner(s) for each category. Best Community Service Jyoti Karki from Nepal studying …

From Where I Stand 2019 Part I | The Global UGRAD Photojournalism Project

From Where I Stand 2019 Part I | The Global UGRAD Photojournalism Project

One of our favorite sayings is “Once a UGRAD, always a UGRAD.” Even when the U.S. portion of the Global UGRAD experience is over, alumni are always a part of this big and talented family. The lessons learned and knowledge gained during the exchange live on as alumni share their stories and dedicate efforts to shine brightly in their home …

Celebrating the Lunar New Year Across the U.S.!

Celebrating the Lunar New Year Across the U.S.!

Zihan Xu, China, Emporia State University: The year of the pig in the lunar calendar has just come. This is my first time spending the Spring Festival away from family and friends. The Spring Festival is the most important festival for Chinese people. This is when families reunite to enjoy meals and conversations. No matter how far people are from their …