Future leaders from five nations are studying at Wayne State this semester through the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD), allowing them to experience the U.S. education system, share their culture with American students and explore the country's culture and values.

Hailing from of the People's Republic of Algeria, the Democratic Republic of Georgia, Paraguay, Russia and Vietnam, the students are hosted by the Office of International Programs in partnership with the U.S. Department of State through World Learning.

Two participants, Radia Banaissa of Algeria and Goga Katalandze of Georgia have only known each other for eight weeks, but listening to them chat after a recent Global Hangout, you'd think they've been friends for years.

The hangout, sponsored by Global Studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, features informal discussions on topical themes presented by faculty, professionals and students. Katalandze, a political science major with aspirations of a career in foreign diplomacy, was a featured panelist for a discussion on countries that border the Black Sea and Banaissa, an English education major, was on hand to support him.

"We are taking classes and experiencing as much of campus life as we can," says Banaissa, with Katalandze nodding his head in wholehearted agreement. "We decided that we have to make a point of getting out and seeing what the university offers."

They arrived in January for the winter term and are determined to make the most of their study abroad opportunity, which ends in May.

Living in Ghafari Hall and the Towers Residential Suites, the UGRAD cohort attends organized programs like the monthly lunchtime International Coffee Hour, where students gather to learn about American traditions. They say they are impressed with the many social events, activities and restaurants that highlight the university's unique location within a culturally diverse city.

Arriving when bitter winter storms and subzero temperatures gripped the region, they welcomed the Office of International Students and Scholars' trip to Great Lakes Shopping Outlets to purchase winter clothing, a must for venturing out to explore places like Campus Martius or walking to the Detroit Institute of Arts.

Banaissa and Katalandze are enjoying the UGRAD experience at WSU so much that they are actively exploring options to come back to further their education.

"Studying at Wayne State is a great experience, from the day we were welcomed by the Office of Study Abroad and Global Programs," says Katalandze. "I would love to be able to return."

The Office of International Programs leads Wayne State's global engagement by creating opportunities that foster international education and research, facilitate the exchange of individuals and ideas that promote global competencies and citizenship, and provide resources that support the expansion of the university's global agenda. Follow us on Twitter @WayneOIP.