The UW Global Gateway Initiative makes study abroad accessible to students with demonstrated financial need through two different avenues: Summer programs and Fellowships. All students participate in pre- and post-program engagements and onsite activities to integrate their time abroad with academics and professional development. We strive to embody the Wisconsin Idea by encouraging students to share their experiences and knowledge gained abroad to positively impact the UW-Madison community, Wisconsin, and beyond. UW Global Gateway Summer programs and Fellowships are provided in partnership with the Office of Student Financial Aid and the Institute for Regional and International Studies.
Faculty and/or academic departments who are interested in collaborating on UW Global Gateway Programs should contact Dan Gold, IAP Director.
UW Global Gateway Summer Programs
The UW Global Gateway Summer Programs are highly-structured, thematic short term programs designed to introduce first and second year students from diverse backgrounds and academic fields to international and global issues. Each program provides a full scholarship, including airfare, for a cohort of students with demonstrated financial need (preference given to students with a Student Aid Index (SAI) of $8,000 or less or who are part of Bucky’s Pell Pathway program for the past or current academic year) to study in the program locations identified.
On these programs, a UW-Madison faculty member introduces students to issues of global importance and prepares students for success in an increasingly interconnected world. These experiential programs use the host country as a classroom to support students earning 3 in-residence credits upon completion of the program.
These programs are funded in partnership with the Office of Student Financial Aid. Starting in 2023, the Division of Diversity, Equity and Educational Achievement provides financial support for additional summer participants.
Summer 2024
Washington, DC
Examine your assumptions about political life as we explore the psychology of political polarization in Washington, DC.
Botswana
Explore the cultures, history, and politics of southern Africa within contemporary Botswana.
Singapore
Discover how Singapore presents itself, in the arts and otherwise, on the international stage.
UW Global Gateway Fellowships
The UW Global Gateway Fellowships are designed to provide students the access to the UW-Madison approved semester or year-long study abroad program of their choice, as well as the semester-long domestic study away program, UW Wisconsin in Washington, DC Internship Program, which best meets their academic and professional goals. Each participant receives a $10,000 fellowship towards their program costs.
Fall 2024 Fellows
Ivanna (Ivy) Ceballos
Major: Political Science, Legal Studies
Hometown: Romeoville, Illinois
Program: Wisconsin in Washington, DC Internship Program
Being a recipient of the Global Gateway Fellowship grants me the opportunity to be a part of a study abroad experience that I previously thought was unobtainable for me. Being granted the opportunity to not only allows me to go and experience our nation’s capital firsthand but also to be able to share those experiences and be supported by the Study Abroad department. Being able to inform other students with similar backgrounds to me of the opportunities they can have studying abroad seems like an amazing project that I can get behind.
I hope to gain a better understanding of what facet of law I am particularly interested in. Additionally, I want to successfully network and create strong connections while in D.C. I am mostly excited about being in D.C. during a presidential election year. It feels exciting knowing I’ll be surrounded by so many historic buildings while also actively being a part of a historic event.
Blog posts coming soon!
Kyree Cooke
Major: Consumer Behavior & Marketplace Studies
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Program: Australian National University Exchange
Being a recipient of the Global Gateway Fellowship allows me to broaden my array of collegiate and cultural information and strengthen my position in society as a leader within the retail industry. Having the opportunity to study abroad as a fellowship recipient will aid in fostering and participating in constructive conversations with my peers while also making connections to real-world issues in an international setting.
I am eager to work with professionals and students from different backgrounds and gain insight from their experiences. Having the option to broaden my understanding of international consumer behavior and marketplace studies will be invaluable to my future professional endeavors. I am excited to explore Australia’s unique landscape and immersing myself in such a fascinating culture. Culture is an important aspect of every country and understanding the Australian culture and Aboriginal history is a subject I am very interested in as I continue my academic journey.
Blog posts coming soon!
Zin Kyaw
Major: Human Resources & Management
Hometown: Madison, Wisconsin
Program: Centre d’Etudes Franco-Americain de Management (CEFAM) in France
Being a recipient of the Global Gateway Fellowship has given me the opportunity to discover more of my passions and have the chance to grow and learn in France. I will be able to connect with diverse backgrounds and bring a new perspective to my own personal and professional development.
My personal goal is to try as many restaurants and different foods as possible. Lyon is the gastronomy capital of France, and I am excited to try all the different desserts and pastries it has to offer. I’m most looking forward to interacting with people all over the world and learning more about the culture of France. I’m excited to make new friends and immerse myself in Lyon.
Blog posts coming soon!
Heewone Lim
Major: Journalism
Hometown: Madison, Wisconsin
Program: University College Utrecht Honors Exchange in the Netherlands
As a Madison native, I felt that spending time abroad would challenge me to grow in a way that staying in Madison wouldn’t. I feel incredibly fortunate to represent UW while abroad and having the opportunity to share experiences with my community here. I know just how important platforms are, as a Journalism major.
I’m planning on writing my senior thesis on the Dutch Golden Age and mass communication during the era, so I’m excited to understand what academic research looks like and getting a better idea if I want to grad school. Utrecht, in my humble opinion, feels more like a “real” Dutch city where I could truly understand what life in the Netherlands is like, in comparison to Amsterdam, which was full of cool things to do and see but felt too busy.
It goes to show that you can have a diverse range of experiences as a Badger, and that the university aims to support their students in whatever they choose to pursue.
Blog posts coming soon!
Summer 2024 Fellows
Daniela Hernandez
Major: Zoology
Hometown: Long Beach, California
Program: SFS Wildlife Management & Wildlife Research in Tanzania
Receiving the Global Gateway Fellowship signifies a remarkable opportunity to expand horizons. This fellowship, a prestigious honor, is not something I take lightly. It opens the door to travel and study in a place and subject that might have otherwise been out of reach. This chance to explore new cultures and academic environments is invaluable, and I am committed to making the most of it, embracing every learning experience that comes my way.
My personal goal during the Global Gateway Fellowship is to meet new people and form lifelong friendships. I believe that building connections with diverse individuals will enrich my experience and broaden my perspective. Professionally, I am on a pre-vet path, and this program presents a unique opportunity to advance my academic and career goals.
The safari experience is something I plan to cherish and share with others, inspiring them with my adventures and the knowledge I acquire. This opportunity will not only enrich my understanding of animal behavior and management but also broaden my cultural perspective, enhancing both my personal and professional growth.
Emily Johnson
Major: History, Environmental Studies
Hometown: Wausau, Wisconsin
Program: DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia in Copenhagen
Being a Global Gateway Fellow means a lot! Not only will I receive financial and academic support, I will also get to share my experience to future study abroad participants. One personal goal I have is to learn about my heritage. I have ancestry in Denmark and hope to explore the cities they grew up in.
I most look forward to learning about Copenhagen and Stockholm sustainability. These countries have been renowned for their leadership in the initiative, and I hope to apply their knowledge in my future career as a sustainability educator.
William Spitz
Major: Pharmacology & Toxicology, Neurobiology, French
Hometown: New Berlin, Wisconsin
Program: Institut de Touraine French Language Program
Being the recipient of the Global Gateway Fellowship enables me to participate in these experiences without the worry that I cannot afford traveling abroad. Specifically, I can enjoy going abroad for longer and gaining more experience in a different country with the knowledge that the financial aspect is taken care of.
During my time abroad I would like to gain a better handle of the French language. The type of French that is spoken in the classroom is often not what conversational French sounds like. For this reason, I am most excited to talk with the locals and with my host family. I am most looking forward to learning about the history of Tours, France. My limited knowledge of the area tells me that there is much to explore in terms of Renaissance chateaus, history, and architecture.
Narianna (Nari) Tagura
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
Program: UW Disability Rights and Access in Australia
Being a Global Gateway Fellow means a lot to me personally, financially, and academically. Personally, being awarded this scholarship helps with my endeavors to study in another country and expand my worldview on many different aspects of the world. Financially, I would never have been able to study abroad on my own with my own finances, but this scholarship gave me the opportunity of a lifetime to pursue a dream of mine which is to study out of the United States. And academically, I get the chance to learn about people with disabilities and their lifestyles to therefore incorporate into the healthcare setting as I’m a pre-nursing major.
I look forward to learning about not only about the people of Sydney, the people with disabilities of Sydney, but also the culture, lifestyles, and specular natural landscapes that Sydney, Australia has. I think their country is so unique because living in the Midwest, we don’t get to have those natural environments and wildlife here. This will be a once in lifetime memory that I will never forget.
Spring 2024 Fellows
Kayla Buth
Major: Legal Studies, Political Science, and Gender and Women’s Studies
Hometown: Anoka, Minnesota
Program: England- University of Leeds Exchange
Being a recipient of the Global Gateway Fellowship will allow me to explore my interests regarding the legal institutions and procedures that are present in England. The criminal justice system in the United States was developed in reflection of such institutions, thus allowing me to examine how England has reformed their system in ways that the United States has not. Therefore, this fellowship is extremely meaningful to me as it will allow me to explore my interests while having the opportunity to bring my gained experiences back to the United States and share what I have learned.
My most predominant professional goal is to become an attorney operating in the fields of human and civil rights. Thus, I have an immense interest and goal of becoming well educated and experiencing the many ways institutions and societal systems have negatively impacted the everyday lives of different communities and people throughout history. The University of Leeds Exchange program offers many opportunities for me to immerse myself in a new culture while learning about how injustices have operated in a location other than the United States.
Cultural Connections & Observations Learning on Excursions Food in Leeds Discoveries & Reflections
Alan Garcia
Major: Finance, Investment, and Banking & International Business
Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Program: Spain – CIEE Business and Culture
Being a recipient of the Global Gateway Fellowship is an honor that exemplifies that my hard work, dedication, and perseverance has paid off. I am extremely committed to fostering global connections, expanding my cultural understanding, and developing a global perspective. Being a recipient of the Global Gateway Fellowship provides an opportunity to continue growing towards these things I hold dear to myself.
On this program, I hope to further develop my Spanish for business purposes. As a fluent Spanish speaker, I am extremely comfortable in using the language throughout my daily life. However, Spanish in business requires specific language skills which I hope to develop throughout my time in my study abroad program.
I am most looking forward to learning about the stunning architectural history present in the city of Barcelona. From la Sagrada Familia to Casa Mila, and to Casa Batlló, there is a lot of architectural styles and stories to unpack. As an avid FC Barcelona fan, I am also extremely excited to attend home games and witness the atmosphere in the city on a game day.
Daily Life in Barcelona Learning on Excursions A Home Away from Home Final Reflections
Vanessa Leftwich
Major: Consumer Behavior & Marketplace Studies
Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Program: Spain – IES Business & Art Barcelona
I am beyond appreciative to receive the Global Gateway Fellowship Award. To me, this fellowship represents a gateway to a world of possibilities and growth, both personally and professionally. I would not have had the same opportunities to expand my global network and experiences without it. Being a recipient of this fellowship also pushes my commitment to using this platform to eventually influence students on campus.
One academic goal I have for this program is to improve my Spanish language skills. I believe enhancing my Spanish will allow me to maintain relationships with the new students I meet and current family members at home. I plan to explore the art and history that influenced the cultural development of Barcelona. I look forward to visiting museums like the Picasso Museum, Joan Miró Foundation, The National Art Museum of Catalonia, and more. Staying busy exploring Spain while meeting new people is key to enhancing my program experience.
A Part of My Routine Learning on Excursions Class Group Visit An Excursion That Stood Out
Karyme Ruiz
Major: International Studies
Hometown: Madison, Wisconsin
Program: South Korea – Korea University Exchange
Being a recipient of the Global Gateway Fellowship means that I can focus on the program without concerns for other factors. I can engage better with the culture I will be surrounded by as well as enjoy the program to the fullest extent.
One goal I have is to practice my Korean language skills while abroad. I took a few Korean classes but feel like I need to practice a lot more. Immersing myself with the language will help me a lot when it comes to comprehension. I look forward to learning more about what everyday life is like in Seoul. I can’t wait to see all the historical locations in Seoul like the Gyeongbokgung Palace.
An Impactful Moment Places: Routine Our Global Classroom Food in South Korea
Laomani Sisongkham
Major: Operations & Technical Management, Supply Chain Management, Marketing
Hometown: Appleton, Wisconsin
Program: Singapore – National University of Singapore Business School Exchange
Being a Global Gateway Fellow is a great honor to represent both the fellowship and the university. I am ecstatic to continue to grow as a student abroad and am extremely appreciative of the resources given by the fellowship to support this dream. I look forward to giving back to the program to the best of my ability this spring.
A professional goal I have abroad is to further my interest in ESG-related investment research and related practices. My professional career thus far has been dedicated to sustainability and I look forward to learning more in what is known as the most sustainable city in the world. I look forward to learning and understanding the deep cultural history of Singapore and surrounding regions. I am truly excited to be exposed to an area of such diverse backgrounds and look to be a sponge to this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Daily Life in Singapore Food in Singapore Sustainability in Singapore A Home Away from Home