Our Global Campus: Engage the World Through Illinois

In this episode, we explore how climate change is more than just a scientific or political issue—it’s deeply personal and cultural. Co-hosts Jasmine and Ashish are joined by Dr. Trujillo-Falcón, a climate communication researcher, along with students Lhea Assria and Lyba Akhtar. Together, they unpack how identity, language, geography, and tradition shape how we understand and respond to climate ch...

We are thrilled to introduce "House of Cultures," a brand-new series where we take you inside the vibrant cultural centers of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. To help us premiere this new series, Dr. Charlotte Davidson, the Director of the Native American House, and Graduate Student Ambassador, David Eby, will help us uncover the experiences, resources, and deep sense of comm...

Join the OGC hosts alongside our special guest, David Martinez, as we introduce our fields of study and delve into the deeper questions surrounding them. Together, we explore the motivations behind our academic pursuits, the challenges posed by the dominance of English and Western ideologies, and how we aspire to apply our knowledge in real life.

Language is more than just words—it’s the key to connection, culture, and community. In this episode, we unravel the fascinating ways language shapes our world, from the art of navigating cross-cultural conversations to the highs and lows of learning a new tongue. Three bilingual students—Toni Ishola, Kexin Wang, and Carlos Hernandez—from diverse walks of life articulate a unifying message— the st...

With the 2024 Presidential Election looming over the nation, discussions concerning the presidential candidates perpetually surround us. But Policy, Democracy, and Personal Autonomy impact our everyday lives, extending far beyond a singular outcome. So how do our racial identities directly influence our political ideologies and perceptions? In this episode, PhD students, Alesha Lewis and Qiaoyi Ni...

As Nikia Brown passes the podcast torch to new co-hosts Ashish Gaur and Jasmine Morkeh, they kick off season 5 by revisiting Cindy Wilson, the author of Too Much Soul, to unpack the topic of “Multicultural Circumstance.” Throughout the episode, Cindy shares her perspective on her struggles with social identity and belonging while growing up in the South with an African American family as a Korean...

Can corporations ever be “good”? Or will the pursuit of profit always stand in the way? In this episode, guest hosts, Isabel and Sameer from the Global Leaders Program, engage in a discussion about corporate social responsibility (CSR) with Dr. Charles Fogelman, professor of Global Studies at the University of Illinois who researches the relationship between land and people. During the podcast, th...

One word commonly used to describe the study abroad experience is “transformative.” While this holds true, there are many shades to the immersive foreign experience that are often overlooked or unreported. In this episode, Global Studies graduating senior, Eva Sypsis, and podcast host, Nikia Brown, take a behind-the-scenes look at some of the challenges that accompany education abroad. They unders...

Language and culture are “intertwined, interconnected, and they can never be separated,” asserts Jude (Duah) Mensah, a PhD student in UIUC’s French Second Language Acquisition and Teaching Education program. In this episode, Jude’s passion for language learning and teaching is neatly juxtaposed with his thoughts on language as a vehicle for cross-cultural connection. Listen closely as he situates...

“Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.” This famous movie quote perfectly sums up the life experiences of Marissa Lombardi, Executive Director of Training, Programs, and Services at The Forum on Education Abroad. In this episode, she shares how a non-linear path led to a thriving career in education abroad. What began as an English teaching role for bank officials...

"Every white spot on the map is a new adventure," says Martin Källstrand, a Swede who set out to visit all 195 countries 25 years ago. On the heels of his visit to his final country, Eritrea, he shares an exclusive interview with Our Global Campus Podcast about his life-changing journey around the world. Whether discussing the interconnectedness between curiosity and travel or the value...

How do global environmental institutions effect activism on campus? Listen in as LAS Global Leader, Colette Schlie, addresses this question in her exclusive interview with Dr. McKenzie F. Johnson, Assistant Professor of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at Illinois. Colette and Dr. Johnson discuss the implications of global governance, how they can aggravate international inequalities,...

Ibn Battuta once said, “Travelling leaves you speechless and then turns you into a storyteller.” In this episode, Global Studies major, Stephanie (Steph) Lepak, shares how her passion met a problem which subsequently revealed her purpose. During her study abroad experience in Asturias, Spain, Steph participated in short-term courses followed by an internship at a start-up sustainability consultanc...

“Goalbalization” is more than a clever title. It is the one-word summation of an important and timely conversation regarding the interplay of soccer, globalization, and identity. On the heels of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, LAS Global Leaders and soccer aficionados, Ava Marginean and Kayla Constabileo, united to illustrate to our listeners that soccer is much more than a sport. In this episod...

"Sometimes we filter ourselves to the point where we end up saying nothing at all." Those wise words landed on the virtual roundtable with student leaders of the inaugural LAS International Student Advisory Board (ISAB). In this episode, students boldly address the challenges facing international students on UIUC’s campus and their plans to help mitigate some of these barriers. From frustrations r...

Unfortunately, one does not need to revisit the tattered pages of history books to learn of the tragedies of war. As the world witnesses Russia’s war in Ukraine, some people stand gapingly in shock, others protest online and in the streets, and some courageously choose to share their stories of suffering. In this episode, Ekateryna (Kat) Bondareva—a member of the LAS Recruitment & Admissions t...

Jiwon Lee, recently elected president of the Korean Student Association (KSA), collaborated with LAS International Programs to host a New Student Welcome & Networking event in summer 2022 at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea. In episode 1 of season 3, she reflects on the insights she gained from the panel of current students and alumni and shares her goals for KSA for the upcoming year....

Jiwon Lee, recently elected president of the Korean Student Association (KSA), collaborated with LAS International Programs to host a New Student Welcome & Networking event in summer 2022 at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea. In episode 1 of season 3, she reflects on the insights she gained from the panel of current students and alumni and shares her goals for KSA for the upcoming year....

Universities and international education programs around the country and globe are encouraging students with physical or sensory disabilities to study abroad. Ahmed Shehata and Ahmed Abdelaziz, two key participants in the U.S.–Egypt Higher Education Initiative (HIE), speak on how this effort supports students with disabilities to have greater equal access in higher education and the workforce in E...

We often hear the phrase, “Pay it forward.” But hearing it and seeing it put into action are two entirely different realities. Recently, I had an intriguing conversation with Catherine Barry, a former U.S. Department of State Foreign Service Officer who got her start right here at the U of I’s College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. In this episode, Catherine details how her first study abroad exp...

On the heels of the holidays, we sat down with four Illini students to discuss their conceptualization of home. We invited student representatives from Illinois, out of state, and outside of the country. In this show, you will learn that as domestic and international students cross national and cultural borders, they develop transnational identities and are able to find a sense of home among diver...

A few months ago, I became quickly acquainted with Assel Aryn, the Vice-Rector at Almaty Management University, also referred to as AlmaU, in Kazakhstan. According to the QS World University Rankings, AlmaU is among the top universities in Central Asia. In this episode, you will hear Assel describe what it’s like to push pause on her career and embark on a study abroad experience later in life. At...

Dr. Isabel Molina-Guzmán joined Our Global Campus for a candid conversation about her personal and professional journey to becoming the Associate Dean of Diversity & Inclusion for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. While an early love for writing and stories initially led her to journalism, an unexpected conversation inspired her to pursue a career in academia. From the hard truths abou...

How did 6 months turn into 10 years? Angelique Evans, doctoral student in U of I’s College of Education, takes us on her incredible journey as an international student and Black professional in China. When it was presented to her that Mandarin was one of the hardest languages to learn, she pondered for a second and responded, “Challenge accepted.” She pushed her Latin books to the side and embarke...

On March 20, 2021, the LAS Global Leaders Pilot Program culminated in a  Social Innovation Forum that reminded us of the important values of  diversity, inclusion, resilience, and empathy. Over the course of 8  weeks, students immersed themselves in the global challenges of Covid-19  mitigation and refugee integration using a Human-Centered Design  framework. Keynote speak...