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

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

Last month, we published Part I of our 2019 From Where I Stand series, the Global UGRAD photo project that creatively shows what our alumni have accomplished since returning home. If you did not have a chance to read last month’s installment, you can find it here. We are thrilled to share even more stories of volunteerism, academics, and growth with you this month. …

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 …

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 …

Community Service: Mariia Makarenko

Community Service: Mariia Makarenko

Volunteering is one of the most important parts of my life in the USA. While volunteering, I have an amazing opportunity to communicate with different people, share my culture, see American life from different perspectives, and most importantly, compare everything I see with the Ukrainian culture. I hope it will help me to overcome challenges in my community when I …

First Look: Community Service

First Look: Community Service

Global UGRAD students are required to complete at least 20 hours of community service while they are in the United States. Admirably, many students have already starting volunteering in their local host community. Read below about the volunteering experiences written by current 2018-19 Global UGRAD students: Oudom Von from Cambodia at the University of Missouri-St. Louis “I have always been continuously …

Spring 2018 Photo Contest Winners

Spring 2018 Photo Contest Winners

This spring, Global UGRAD participants were invited to take part in a photo contest by submitting their best shots from the semester. World Learning received over 200 photo submissions featuring participants sharing their culture and exploring the United States. Among these, six winning photos were selected. The following winners were announced with a roaring round of applause at the End of …

All Hands on Deck! Stories of Community Service – Part II

All Hands on Deck! Stories of Community Service – Part II

A few months ago, we shared inspiring stories about the volunteer work of several of our fall semester participants. Now, as the spring semester rapidly draws to a close, we’re excited to highlight our current Global UGRAD participants and how they’re getting on with their community service hours. From tutoring and after-school care to event coordination and more, Global UGRADs …

All Hands on Deck! Stories of Community Service from Around the World – Part I

All Hands on Deck! Stories of Community Service from Around the World – Part I

Community service is an integral part of the Global UGRAD experience. Beyond being a program requirement, Global UGRAD participants embrace civic engagement as one of the most valuable, enjoyable, and rewarding parts of their semester in the U.S. As the spring semester students gear up to begin their own service activities, we would like to highlight the outstanding volunteer work …