Editor’s Note: This is the fourth and final story in a series of stories highlighting International Education and celebrating a decade of programing, events, and student success.
URBANA, Ill. — It was a full house for International Education’s 10th anniversary alumni panel and networking event on Sept. 12. Students, faculty, staff, and community members of all ages enjoyed fresh pizza, pasta, and salads as they waited for the panel discussion to begin—excitement evident in the lively conversations filling the room inside the Asian American Cultural Center, where one of the International Education offices is located.
IE is no stranger to a full house for their events. Their regular Wednesday programs are much loved—each event covering a different topic of interest to both domestic and international students. This is what IE does best, bring folks together, regardless of nationality, identity, or major.
As the panelists started to gather at the front of the room, and the line for food shortened, the chatter died down as all interest turned to what was coming next.
IE’s International Alumni Panel was part of both Homecoming Week and IE’s 10-Year Celebration and featured past and present students and members of GLOBE, one of IE’s signature programs.
GLOBE stands for “Global Leaders Orange and Blue Engagement.” As part of the program, current students (Blue) are grouped into cohorts with new students (Orange) to participate in activities and events to develop friendship and leadership skills. As each semester progresses, GLOBE participants meet with their cohort, attend IE and other campus programs and events, and complete some reflections and brief activities in a Canvas learning space.
The panel represents a “decade of success International Education has achieved and a sampling of the transformative learning and experiences that occur when students from different backgrounds begin to understand each other and share common ground,” said Yun Shi, director of International Education, in a feature interview with the Illinois News Bureau.
The panel featured nine individuals (seven in person and three calling in via Zoom) and was moderated by Shi:
- Abel Vera Iglesias
- Brittney Nadler
- Mae Mercado
- Meysiva Veerabagu
- Nattapon (Nathan) Jaroenchai
- Roberto Rojas-Alfaro
- Somaye Babaei
- Vera Kuipers
- Vicki Prince
- Wesam Mohamed
Shi introduced each presenter with a personal story that ranged from reminiscing about roller coaster rides to discussing career advice—a testament to how closely the IE team works with their GLOBE participants.
Rebecca Hodson, IE’s associate director, also shared short video clips that GLOBE members had sent in from all corners of the world.
Shi then invited panelists to share some of their favorite GLOBE memories. We could not pick just one or two to share, so we are sharing a few:
For Wesam, when undertaking their Ph.D. at Illinois, they were a three-time alum of the GLOBE program. “If I had more time, I would do it again. For me, IE is honestly the place where right after joining the university I could try to find a community, make friends, and feel like I made a family away from home… honestly like the beautiful thing is like once we see each other it's so easy to pick up our friendship where we left it off like, it just feels we're connected for life.”
For Mae, a current Ph.D. student, the GLOBE program experience was truly special. “It’s really a place to be as an international student to start getting out of your comfort zone and knowing people from different cultures.
For Vicki, a former student turned full-time Illinois employee, the GLOBE program has been an anchor across her undergraduate and master’s degree programs. “It’s such an incredible opportunity for students to get connected with others and learn about different cultures and different people—it’s such a great program.”
For Vera, who originally hails from Russia and joined the university to pursue her master’s in library and information science, the strong relationships built during the GLOBE program have left a lasting impression. “I'm really happy to be [back] here… this is a great place to make friends, to feel the support of others… as international student… you don't have people that have the same kind of like struggles to adjust in selecting environments… but you know that you always come here [to GLOBE and IE]. So, thank you Yun and Rebecca for making this event. It really feels like family and home again!”
For Abel, who completed his master’s in civil engineering at Illinois after completing his undergraduate degree in Peru, GLOBE helped build several skills that he said are so critical in his work today. “[Being in GLOBE] helps a lot in developing leadership skills and I'm sure that is going to be so helpful once you graduate and you are in your professional life… It is really paying off in my case.”
For Meysiva, an international student, GLOBE broke barriers and helped shift his perspective. “I learned a lot in the sense of getting rid of any stereotypes that you might have learning particular ethnic group or things like that… Also, [I] developed very competent leadership skills, empathy, and things like that, and at the same time having lots of fun. I really came out of the comfort zone!”
For Nathan, the community created by GLOBE has been everything. “When I talk about GLOBE, I always want to cry because it's actually helped me a lot. The first thing I have to tell you everyone here is, welcome to the community. This is the home that is open to everyone you will always be here and when you come here you will feel like home all the time… I always tell everyone to join [GLOBE] whenever I have an opportunity. [GLOBE can help you] make friends, cope with being lonely on campus… because at the end of the day you want a community, not just a group of friends, you want a community that you can fall back onto you feel like home when you come back at your place, you are not rely on just a couple of people, but you a place and atmosphere that is welcoming for everyone.”
For Brittney, who was calling in from Washington D.C. where she is completing her master’s at John Hopkins, she was a part of GLOBE in the beginning and has seen the evolution and possibilities found within the program. “It was a great time truly just all the activities we got to take part in and the friendships we made.” Referencing a video show earlier in the event, Brittney noted how she has maintained close friendships with those she met in GLOBE. “You guys saw video I made with one of my close friends Nicholas… we still remain very good friends to this day, and as I mentioned I haven't even seen him in like 6 years but was able to visit him in Sweden last year so it's just a really fulfilling program.”
For Somaye, a recent Ph.D. graduate, GLOBE was essential to creating a home away from home. “GLOBE was one of the best experiences of my life, and I really wanted to share this [story], especially for other international students. When I first came here [to Illinois], I was really alone. I didn’t have any friends or family, and my English wasn’t very good, so I was kind of embarrassed to start talking with other people and make friends. It was really difficult for me. But GLOBE was like family… we had cohorts, we started hanging out… we had game night, we would grab lunch, and I started to find the confidence to talk more and make friends. Our [GLOBE] group grew more and more and we participated in karaoke night in the union almost every week! I really enjoyed [GLOBE]and I wanted to share this with others so you know what type of experience you are joining, and you can really appreciate it and value it more. The friendships you are making [in Globe] will last forever.”
Following the panel, the room broke out into two groups to engage in networking and story sharing. As the panelists were able to share more information about their experience during GLOBE, how their careers are influenced by the skills they learned, and advice they would give to current and future GLOBE participants in the room.
The natural connection and comradery between the GLOBE alumni were strongly evident, reminding us once again why IE and their programs are so special—they create connections that last beyond a singular moment.
Discover more GLOBE stories: