Chan

Han Shang, University of the Ozarks

May Myat Noe. Minnesota State University Mankato

May Myat Noe (Burma), Minnesota State University Mankato 

Xin Zhao (China), Maryville College.

Luis Hernández (Venezuela) - Humboldt State University

True friendship knows no distance. From Venezuela, Mozambique and Indonesia.

Yitzel Estela

Greetings from the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) at San Antonio, TX! 

In two days it’ll mean I’ve been here for two months, and I can’t be more grateful to everyone that made this possible. I’ve made awesome friends, met people from around the globe, laughed and screamed and painted and played and had the best of times here. Texas is a place not only with a warm weather, but also with warm people: kind, lovely and polite people. I thank Texans so much for stopping me in the hallways just to tell me I’m pretty (my self-esteem needed it!), my UIW Int'l Ambassadors for showing me the beauty of this place and both God and World Learning for letting me be here. I sat in the biggest chair ever! I drank my first PSL. I ate LOTS of food. I learned korean, poetry writing, the history of US presidency, and the complexity of genders in my classes with wonderful teachers.

Moris Deri (Malaysia), University of Minnesota- Twin Cities

Martina Dimoska (Macedonia), Kent State College

Luis Hernández (Venezuela) - Humboldt State University

Myrna Landa (Honduras) - Kent State University

Small Acts Changing our Community

Community service is a good way to give back just a few of all the blessings that we get every day. Volunteering allows me to know more about Kent community, institutions and the most important part: people. Knowing that my work helps them to have a better day is priceless. Volunteering also makes me aware of my skills and expands my perceptions about life. During this time I helped with activities such as cooking, packing food, planting trees, sorting clothes, delivering food for others and spending time with ladies from a retirement village. The experience was amazing and motivated me to keep helping.

Luis Hernández (Venezuela) - Humboldt State University

Christine Grace Catindig (Philippines), Utica College

It felt like a movie. That’s how I could best describe my experience of seeing snow for the first time. 

I’m from the Philippines, which is a tropical country. And so, whenever the temperature reaches 44-48°F there, people get SO shocked by the sudden cold breeze and crisp weather they get to experience. That said, I did not know how cold New York could actually get ‘til snow finally fell from the perfectly uninterrupted blue sky of Utica. 

Knowing that I have never experienced seeing snow before, my friends took it upon themselves to check up on me the first morning this gorgeous thick blanket of white covered Utica College. All my friends and professors were very eager to see my reaction to say the least; and my best friend immediately had his camera ready and asked me if I want pictures with the snow after I finish reviewing for my exams. 

To their resounding question “What do you feel now that you’ve seen snow?!”, I had one answer I phrased differently every time - I felt like I was inside a snow globe. 

Now, perhaps, that answer may not make a lot of sense but, you see, snow is not just snow in the Philippines. It’s a symbol of the American dream. It’s what makes all the American Christmas songs sound so enticing for Filipinos. It’s what makes the theme White Christmas seem so prestigious and wonderful. It’s what businessmen thrive on as they open their winter wonderland-themed stores with fake snow falling from the ceiling to attract people. It’s what my cousin and I, when we were kids, would pretend would be falling from our balcony as we’d crush the styrofoams meant to protect our remote-controlled toy cars inside our parents’ wrapped Christmas presents and take turns in enjoying as one crushes the foam on the balcony while the other one rejoices at the first floor of our Filipino home. 

Words cannot describe how amazing this experience has been. Like what I’ve said a number of times all throughout the program, it’s impossible to be a #GlobalUGrad and not be in awe of the overflowing amount of blessings that come with being an international student. 

Thank you U.S. Dept. of State and World Learning! :) 

Christine Grace Catindig (Philippines), Utica College

History, lobster, harbor, and doughnut - these are the things that I will always remember as I look back on my trip to Boston, MA. 

The minute I stepped foot in the U.S. I’ve always felt like there are places where I just felt right at home. Boston is one of them. The narrow streets were just so full of history that I felt like I was a part of even though I am not and, for some reason, I felt like Boston is where a writer can keep on penning to make the world a better place and inspire other artists. It’s a very youthful city and words cannot describe how thankful I am to have seen it. 

Also, seeing the freedom of trail was amazing! I can’t help but wonder how incredible it would be to see all UGrads’ red-lined routes that will lead a person to all the places that have inspired UGrads and made their dreams a reality. 

Fredy Gomez (Panama), Troy University

This is our Troy Spirit! We had a fun time taking this picture!.

Panama—Vietnam—Russia—Myanmar

It is amazing to get to know people from other countries and their way of living, their view of the world and culture. I am so lucky to have three wonderful women sharing with me the US experience. I thankful for them!

#challenge #TroyU #UGRAD

Gooooooo Trojannnnnns