From March 7 to 14, 17 students from the University of Central Missouri travelled to Aguada, Puerto Rico as part of UCM’s Global Vision scholarship program. The purpose of the trip was to introduce students to the culture and history of Puerto Rico while they volunteered at local nonprofits. 

  “I am very grateful for this experience,” said Morgan Clonts, a graduate student and staff supervisor on the trip. “I think it was rewarding to see some of the projects that we have worked on throughout the week get accomplished, but I think it was also even more rewarding to see the relationships that were built among the community, among our own group.”

  Students volunteered at a food pantry, senior center and resource center for domestic abuse survivors. While volunteering, many students felt that they made deep and meaningful connections with the community members they served and worked alongside, despite facing language barriers. 

  “They actually became my family,” said graduate student Madhu Karishma Gurram. “There was this one lady who said, ‘You’re my family, and you can come back anytime.’ And this is one lady who learned how to say, ‘don’t cry’, and just came up to me on the last day and said, ‘Do not cry.’” 

  Along with volunteering, the students received lectures about Puerto Rican history and art from local experts. They also had the opportunity to visit a cacao farm, street market and beaches.  

  “I learned so much about Puerto Rican history. I have read bit by bit about it, but it’s different when you have people who have lived the reality actually come and talk to you about it,” said graduate student Precious Diedemise.

  By the end of the week, many students felt they had formed new friendships with the other students on the trip. 

  “I created amazing relationships with the students here on this trip,” said senior Yahira Lopez. “I didn’t know some of them, and now I feel that I know everyone. We’ve gotten closer as the days have gone by.”

  The Global Vision program began in 2008. Over that time, the program has given approximately 465 students the opportunity to travel to a total of seven different destinations around the world. The mission of the Global Vision program is to broaden students’ educational experiences through travel and service-learning. 

  “I have learned that there are many other perspectives of people and many mindsets,” said sophomore Nathalia Belen Cordero Ortiz. “And that’s okay. Not all people are going to think the same as you. But also, to focus on the things that bring us together and not the things that separate us.”

  To participate in a Global Vision trip, students must apply for a scholarship, which can be found on UCM scholarship finder. All full-time students are eligible to apply. If a student is selected for the trip, the scholarship covers the cost of the flight, meals, room and board. All Global Vision scholarships are sponsored by a single, anonymous donor.

  “Believe it or not, we don’t get as many applications as we want. So we really want to encourage individuals to apply,” said Kuhlmann.

  The application process includes short essay questions and letters of reference. Professor of political science Robynn Kuhlmann, who served as the chair of the Global Vision committee for the past five years, advises students to fill out all of the application questions, be genuine in their writing and to get their references done early.

  “We really want to open up the opportunity to students who have never traveled abroad before. That’s the intent of the scholarship,” said Kuhlmann. “However, sometimes having someone with travel experience really helps, especially with other students. So that’s not to say that if you have travel experience and you’ve traveled abroad that would by any means, disqualify you, or anything like that.”

  After receiving the scholarship, the selected students must enroll in an eight-week, one credit-hour course, which introduces them to the language, history and culture of their travel location and helps prepare them for their trip. 

  Trips occur three to four times per year, during summer, winter and spring breaks. Applications for trips in 2027 will open in the beginning of the upcoming fall 2026 semester. For more information, visit the Global Vision page on the UCM website or email the program chair, professor of library science Amanda Harrison, at [email protected].