5 Months in 5 Quotes

“5 Months in 5 Quotes” is a summary of Igor Aksentijevic’s experience in Oxford, Mississippi from August – December 2013.  The second installment of “5 Months in 5 Quotes” about his spring semester experiences will be released in May. Month 1: August. “Always take the road that frightens you most for it is indubitably the best way to grow.” – …

Growing Up with Every Step

My life in the US has been an ideal mental change. Here I have learned that we are similar but different in a same way.  Our countries might be different in size but we share the same love for people, the freedom to choose your beliefs, and the opportunity to follow your dreams. Living in the U.S. has taught me …

The State Department Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF)

The State Department created the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) in 2011 to support alumni initiatives that promote shared values and innovative solutions to global challenges. The competition provides small grants to teams of past and current participants of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs to carry out public service projects that utilize skills and knowledge they have gained through their exchange …

California Dreamin'

I initially wanted to start by saying “it is a dream come true…”, but I decided not to. Instead, I would like to start by saying, “I feel unspeakably blessed that some of my life milestones have been accomplished here in the land of dreams – the USA.” Using my cultural enrichment allowance and my savings (I am usually not …

Immersing in the Community through Art and Service

Aleksandra Smrekar (Serbia) and Nikola Gudovic (Montenegro) are both studying for the year at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Soon after they arrived, they found an amazing opportunity to volunteer in their host community. Shortly after our arrival to the U.S., Nikola and I learned about ArtPrize in a rather unusual way. While waiting for all of …

2014 March Madness

March Madness is upon us! During this once-a-year craze that grips the nation, millions of people watch in earnest as their college basketball teams battle it out on the court. In the end, however, there can only be one! Officially, it is called “NCAA Men’s (or Women’s) Division 1 Basketball Championship”, but most refer to it colloquially as March Madness. …

Newman's Own Foundation Alumni Engagement Initiative

As part of the World Learning alumni family we invite you to apply for an exciting training opportunity. The Alumni Engagement Initiative, supported by Newman’s Own Foundation, is a continuing education initiative that focuses on planning and implementing civic projects in your community.  Through online videos, peer discussions and interactive assignments you will have the chance to turn theory into …

An Amazing Spring Break!

I would be the first to agree with the idea that the more you step out of your comfort zone, the more experiences you may accumulate. After a long week of hard work for the mid-term tests, I was excited to pack up and go to Kentucky to visit my friends in the U.S. whom I consider my third family! …

Cure Discrimination with Education

This past February, the University of Mississippi was once again in the national news. On February 17, the James Meredith statue, a civil rights marker of the first African American student at Ole Miss, was found defaced with a noose around its neck and draped with an old Georgia state flag, which has the Confederate symbol. Investigations soon began. The …

2014 Winter Olympics – Sochi

The 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia concluded on February 23rd, culminating in three weeks of international competition. The games were record setting in more ways than one: not only did an unprecedented 88 nations compete, but they also carried the highest price tag of any winter games to date – over $51 billion in total.