Meet our new teammate, Merdan Annamanov!

  Merdan Annamanov will join the Global UGRAD Team as a Program Associate for Eurasia and Central Asia. He is finishing his final year at American University, where is completing his Master of Arts in International Affairs. Previously, Merdan worked as an Alumni Coordinator at the U.S. Embassy in Ashgabat and coordinated the Open World exchange program in Turkmenistan. He obtained …

Through the Eyes of Our Rommates

Through the Eyes of Our Rommates

The Global UGRAD Program is a transformative experience not only for its participants but also for their roommates. Read on to learn the heartwarming story of how two roommates became more than friends – they became family. As a testament of this friendship, they filmed a music video together. Take a few minutes to watch – it’s entertaining, to say the least! …

World Learning Visits Jakarta, Indonesia

On a recent visit to Jakarta, Melissa Oppenheimer, World Learning’s Divisional Vice President for Global Exchange, and Jessica Ellerbach, Fulbright Specialist Program Manager, had the pleasure of sharing a meal with a wonderful group of Global UGRAD alumni from Indonesia. Dery Rovino, Muhamad Rosyid Jazuli, Rini Mayasari, Dian Mayasari, and Rika Rumiyati all continue to embody the ideals of the …

Advocacy in Action

Advocacy is speaking up for what you believe in, specifically to people who have decision making power. On March 8th, World Learning participated in the Alliance for International Exchange’s annual Advocacy Day event, in which people from all aspects and organizations in international exchange come together to advocate for exchange programs to Congress. The international affairs budget is less than …

Meet our new teammate, Himani Reddy!

Meet our new teammate, Himani Reddy!

Himani Reddy will join the Global UGRAD Team as a Program Officer for East Asia and the Pacific.  She previously served as a Program Officer (contractor) at the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) where she coordinated the Fulbright Specialist Program and pre-departure orientations for Fulbright Scholars and Students. Prior to her time at ECA, …

The American Global UGRAD Participant

The American Global UGRAD Participant

The American Global UGRAD Participant by Courtney Cummings Courtney joined the Global UGRAD End of Program Workshop to assist with the needs of Milica Knevic, a participant from Serbia who uses a wheelchair and currently atttends Wright State University.  The following article is Courtney’s reflection of her time with the Global UGRAD students.   I met Milica through work. I was/am …

Global UGRAD Alumni Meet Up in Almaty, Kazakhstan by Will O’Roark

I had the opportunity to travel to Almaty, Kazakhstan and Dushanbe, Tajikistan at the end of September. Prior to joining World Learning, I spent several years living and working in Central Asia and Eurasia. I had worked as a university administrator at a number of institutions in Kazakhstan, served as a Peace Corps Volunteer teaching English in central Kazakhstan, and …

Through the Eyes of Our Roommates

The Global UGRAD Program is a transformative experience not only for its participants, but also for their roommates. Read on to learn more about how living with a Global UGRAD has impacted their lives! The roommate of Be Moua, Lewis-Clark State College: Be and I have been roommates for about eight months. Be is from Laos, and I am from Grangeville, Idaho. I …

Introducing New Team Member: Ariel Klein

The Global UGRAD Team is pleased to welcome to its newest member, Ariel Klein. Ariel began at World Learning on February 14th and will be working with Amy Fisher Bruey to support the students from the Near East. Ariel is originally from Rochester, New York, and studied Anthropology and Linguistics at Colorado College. After graduating, she moved to the French West …