First Impressions: Spring 2022

First Impressions: Spring 2022

With the spring semester fully kicked off at all of our host universities across the United States, Global UGRADs have had a chance to get settled in and make first impressions! There are so many new sights to see and experiences to be had, it is always enlightening to hear directly from participants about what stands out as unique at …

Global UGRAD Students Reflect on Thanksgiving

Global UGRAD Students Reflect on Thanksgiving

This November, many of the Global UGRAD students had the opportunity to experience their first Thanksgiving. Below you can read some of their reflections about spending the day with friends, university staff, and their friendship families! This year instead of repeating Season 5 episode 1 from Friends “The One with All the Thanksgivings,” I had the opportunity to experience it …

Global UGRAD Student Spotlight: Hadyatulloi Azimzoda

Global UGRAD Student Spotlight: Hadyatulloi Azimzoda

World Learning is proud to feature in this month’s Global Gazette the story of Hadyatulloi Azimzoda. Hadyatulloi is a 2019-2020 Global UGRAD participant from Tajikistan studying at Georgia State College and University who was featured prominently in an article on his host university’s website. As the semester progresses, we are thrilled to be showcasing the experiences, goals, and accomplishments of Global …

Meeting with Global UGRADs in Uzbekistan

Meeting with Global UGRADs in Uzbekistan

During my exchange through Global UGRAD, I tried to travel to different places to discover the United States from interesting perspectives. After I returned to Tajikistan, I continued to travel but this time exploring Central Asia. Consequently, a month after my return home, I ventured to Uzbekistan. During the trip, I remembered my tight connections with some of the Global …

Celebrating International Women’s Day: A Woman I Admire

Celebrating International Women’s Day: A Woman I Admire

To celebrate International Women’s Day, Global UGRAD students reflected on women from all backgrounds and walks of life who have inspired them to pursue their dreams. Maureen Tejeda, Dominican Republic, University Houston-Victoria: The woman who has inspired me to continue pursuing my dreams is the best known as “RBG”, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of …

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 …

Community Service: Rukhshona Sharipova

Community Service: Rukhshona Sharipova

I spent my Global UGRAD exchange semester at Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina. Due to my strong interest in migration, global development, and humanitarian assistance, I volunteered for the Church World Service Immigration and Refugee Program as a community mentor and English language tutor for a refugee family from Africa. By working for the Immigration and Refugee Program, I …

Summer Camp America in Tajikistan

Summer Camp America in Tajikistan

For the past three years, I spent my summer doing my favorite job: working with kids at Summer Camp America. This year, Summer Camp America was different. The application was open just for U.S. Government (USG)-sponsored programs alumni. Luckily, this year, I became a Global UGRAD alum and was accepted to participate. This year’s Summer Camp was in Sarband and Khovaling, Tajikistan. At Summer Camp …

My Person: Global UGRAD Students’ Closest Mentors and Friends

My Person: Global UGRAD Students’ Closest Mentors and Friends

It’s not easy leaving the familiarity of home to begin a new adventure in a foreign country. It takes courage, resilience, and a welcoming community. Luckily, our Global UGRAD students are adept at developing deep and lasting relationships with wonderful people who support and encourage them throughout this journey. Below, some students share with us a special someone who has …

Global UGRAD Fall 2017 University Site Visits

Global UGRAD Fall 2017 University Site Visits

This October, Will O’Roark had the opportunity to travel to the University of Connecticut – a new partner on the Global UGRAD Program. UConn is the largest university in the state and is home to over 23,000 students. The university is proud of its strong engineering program and its nationally recognized women’s and men’s basketball programs. In addition to meeting with university administrators and staff in the …