First Impressions from Global UGRAD Spring 2023 Students

First Impressions from Global UGRAD Spring 2023 Students

Global UGRAD students are settling into the Spring 2023 semester at various host colleges and universities across the country. We reached out to students to learn about their first impressions of campus life, courses, and U.S culture. For many, this is their first time in the United States, or even outside of their home countries. We’re sharing some of the things …

End of Program Workshop: Photo Contest

End of Program Workshop: Photo Contest

Last month, Global UGRADs from host campuses around the country gathered in Washington, DC for the first End of Program Workshop in three years. The workshop primarily focused on professional and leadership development, as well as team building. However, at the core of the workshop was an emphasis on cultivating a sense of community among these international exchange students. As …

Connecting Through Language

Connecting Through Language

World Learning is currently implementing its third iteration of the Virtual English Language Training (ELT) Program to prepare spring semester participants for their academic journey in the U.S. and to connect them with their American peers. For Virtual ELT participants, however, learning the English language is a powerful skill beyond their Global UGRAD experience. It can further their career, improve …

Alumni Update – Nicaragua

Alumni Update – Nicaragua

My name is Fernanda Alina Polanco Avendaño, and I am from Nicaragua. I had the chance to be part of the Global UGRAD Program around 2015-2016 in Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU). Thanks to my Global UGRAD journey, my life became more fruitful and significant in all aspects. I got to meet other Global UGRAD friends from my home country, …

Alumni Update – Nicaragua

Alumni Update – Nicaragua

One Career, Multiple Paths The Global UGRAD Program boosted my confidence and helped me to open up to multiple possibilities. My experience abroad made me realize how flexible my skills and abilities are, and I became aware of the value of adapting to different environments. After my Global UGRAD experience, I started to feel braver to explore beyond one strict …

March Online Engagement: Alumni Q&A Panels and Academic Writing

March Online Engagement: Alumni Q&A Panels and Academic Writing

This March, the Global UGRAD team dove deeper into the academic world with the introduction of two new activities in our spring virtual programming: our Alumni Q&A Panels and Professional Development series. For our first installment of the Alumni Q&A Panel, Global UGRAD alumni shared their experiences on the subject of All Things Academics! Next, the topic of this month’s edition of …

February Social Media Challenge: #MyIdentity

February Social Media Challenge: #MyIdentity

Continuing with our monthly social media challenges, we recently asked the incoming Global UGRADs to share with us a little about themselves in the #MyIdentity challenge. We’ve spotlighted a few entries below so that you can learn more about who our Global UGRADs are and where they come from, too! The world is full of colors and hues that every …

Alumni Update: Lessons Learned from the Hurricanes in Nicaragua

Alumni Update: Lessons Learned from the Hurricanes in Nicaragua

In this highly uncertain time, I am encouraging myself to become more resilient. Journaling has helped me accomplish this goal, which is what got me to write this article. As it turns out, if you give yourself the chance to listen and embrace your thoughts (as irrelevant as they seem to be), you can get to know yourself a little …