In the Spring 2022 semester, the Center for Undergraduate Global Engagement (UGE) welcomed the first group of Columbia undergraduate students to embark on international travel since the onset of the pandemic. In a message from Dean Shannon Marquez, the Spring 2022 students were commended for their resilience and flexibility as they navigate the pandemic in new environments as a part of their global engagement journey.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a transformative moment in global engagement and international education; every aspect of our work has been impacted by the global crisis and it has brought those of us in the field back to our first principles. Now more than ever, the world requires a global citizenry capable of learning from other cultures and building a better world based on mutual understanding. We in UGE remain dedicated to these goals, and we are excited for students to have an opportunity to do this overseas.

As always, UGE staff remain available to support students and faculty as they navigate the challenges of studying and teaching abroad in these unique circumstances.