Global UGRAD Bucket Lists

Global UGRAD Bucket Lists

One month into their exchange program, Global UGRAD participants are hard at work setting ambitious goals to make the most of their semester. Now that they have familiarized themselves with campus and settled into life in the United States, they have begun to think about the events, activities, or objectives they hope to accomplish before they depart in May. As …

Advice from Alumni

Advice from Alumni

The new year ushers in the arrival of new Global UGRAD participants for the spring semester. Participants consider so many important things as they begin their program, from scheduling classes to budgeting money to managing time. Who better to share advice on navigating this transition than Global UGRAD alumni? Minh Thu Nguyen | Vietnam | Northern Michigan University | Fall …

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 …

Alumni Spotlight: Zimbabwe

Alumni Spotlight: Zimbabwe

Hello UGRADs! My name is Sibonisiwe Ngubeni and I was privileged to represent my country, Zimbabwe, as a Global UGRAD student at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) in the spring semester of 2019. UTK, also known as Rocky Top, was packed with opportunities, hospitality, energy, tradition, green spaces, and quiet corners; a true breeding ground for thriving global changemakers. …

First Impressions from Global UGRAD Fall 2023 Students

First Impressions from Global UGRAD Fall 2023 Students

The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (UGRAD) is a space for risk-takers. Many Global UGRADs had seldom travelled outside their home countries; far fewer had ever stepped foot in the United States. Nonetheless, they arrived with open minds and enthusiasm, excited to experience both the beauty and the challenges in the semester ahead. Becoming entirely immersed in a new language, environment, …

From one cohort to the next: Advice from alumni for new UGRADs

From one cohort to the next: Advice from alumni for new UGRADs

The new year ushers in a new group of UGRAD students, arriving at various universities around the United States for the spring semester. Who better to give advice to the new arrivals than those who just completed their program weeks ago? Money and financial planning were common themes throughout the advice from recent alumni. Langelihle Moyo, an alumnus from Zimbabwe …

Alumni Spotlight: Zimbabwe

Alumni Spotlight: Zimbabwe

Hi all, I’m Leonard Mushunje, a Fall 2021 Global UGRAD student from Zimbabwe. I recently graduated from Midlands State University with a distinction in Mathematics and Statistics. When I was selected as a Global UGRAD finalist and was placed at the University of Montevallo in Alabama, I had mixed feelings. On reflection, being a Global UGRAD student was one of …

Alumni Update: Zimbabwe

Alumni Update: Zimbabwe

Hello, this is Michael Mbulelo Ncube from Zimbabwe. I was a Global UGRAD student in the fall of 2019, and I studied at Georgia College and State University. Ever since I got back home, I’ve hit the ground running. From my time in the U.S., I was incredibly inspired by the infrastructural development of the U.S. public education system, particularly …

Inspirational Women for International Women’s Day

Inspirational Women for International Women’s Day

With the beginning of National Women’s History Month in the United States and in honor of International Women’s Day on March 8th, current Global UGRAD students shared about women they believe have helped shape who they are today.   Adrian Reister Fernandez, Philippines, University of Maine “Meet the women who molded me to become who I am today! My Wonder WoMom …

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 …