Alumni , East Asia and the Pacific , Philippines
We met in Fraser Place Hotel, located in the business district of Makati. There were Global UGRADs from 2016-2018 and we enjoyed a performance by Kuya Lindo, who sang Christmas songs. We also shared Filipino delicacies such as pichi-pichi, palabok, fried chicken, and pork barbecue on stick. We discussed our Global UGRAD experiences, swapping stories of how the program helped us …
Alumni , Community Service , Murray State University , 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 …
Albania , Alumni , Career , Eurasia
Once a UGRAD, always a UGRAD! On 20th of October, Albanian Global UGRAD alumni organized a meet-up. Although we have been talking with each other constantly, it was the first time that all of us, two generations (2016-17, 2017-18) of Global UGRADs in Albania, came together to share our own experiences in the U.S. We found many similarities in our …
Alumni , China , East Asia and the Pacific , Latin America and the Caribbean , Panama
Recently, World Learning asked the Alumni Class Secretaries from 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 to organize a meet and greet with their fellow Global UGRADs in their home countries. Global UGRAD alumni in Panama and China were able to gather discussing their experiences with the Global UGRAD, current adventures, and future plans. Once a UGRAD – Always a UGRAD! Alumni Gathering in …
Alumni , Kenya , Northern Michigan University
“Hhmmmmm, I don’t know!!” That would be the closest possible response I’d give to any questions to the effect of what I’m up to currently. Partly because I don’t feel like I have been very productive since I came back and partly because I imagine that’s not the ideal response expected by anyone asking the question. For the past nine …
Alumni , Eurasia , Florida Gulf Coast University , Serbia
I’ve always wanted to be part of the world where tolerance, peace, and freedom are more represented and appreciated. We all should try to work towards that and make it more accessible for people to have wider opportunities to experience incredible diversity and the phenomenal nature of our planet. The Global UGRAD program was that great opportunity for me, which …
Alumni , East Asia and the Pacific , Malaysia
In late August, a World Learning colleague, Jessica Mead, had the opportunity to meet with several Global UGRAD alumni in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Jessica works on the Alumni TIES program and was in Kuala Lumpur to implement a seminar for 40 alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs on “Strengthening Environments for Civic Participation and Public Engagement.” During the seminar, participants …
Alumni , Diversity and Inclusion , Jordan , Middle East and North Africa , New Mexico Highlands University
Life after Global UGRAD: Jordan With no doubt the Global UGRAD exchange program enhanced my leadership skills and helped me find better opportunities. Earning this scholarship actually made me a more attractive candidate in Jordan. People who understand the competitive nature of the scholarship will recognize it as an accomplishment. Competitive scholarships like this one are accomplishments worth listing on …
Academics , Alumni , Bakersfield , California State University , Central Asia , Kazakhstan , Professional Development
One of the most important lessons that I received during my Global UGRAD experience back in 2016 was the importance of cross-cultural communication. Today, starting my Master of Global Affairs (MGA) program at the University of Notre Dame, I cannot underestimate this invaluable message. The Keough School of Global Affairs, my new home for the next two years, is the …
Alumni , East Asia and the Pacific , Juniata College , Thailand
“Great and Good Friends: 200 Years of U.S.-Thai Friendship” This year is the year that we celebrate the 200 years of friendship between the United States and the Kingdom of Thailand. The U.S. Embassy in Thailand and Mae Fah Luang University held a special presentation called “Great and Good Friends: 200 Years of U.S.-Thai Friendship” to commemorate the bicentennial of …