Moving from home to attend college is often an overwhelming and difficult experience for students. For many, beyond the academic concerns and responsibilities, the idea of making new friends and finding a community of support can be the most difficult part of going to university. And without them, university life can be more challenging.

A recent study by the Harvard Business Review found that English has become the universal language for the modern workforce and over 70% of employers say prospective employees need English in order to be successful in their jobs and hence require a mid to advanced level fluency in the language. But these ‘requirements’ rarely account for local realities of many populations in the Global South. Such realities include a long history of colonization and the legacy it leaves behind. 

What would you do if you were a witness to a harrowing car accident where no one was nearby to help, and you needed to immediately call first responders and inform the victim’s family? What about if you encountered a lost child who could not find her family in a busy amusement park? Imagine if it was an elderly person with Alzheimer’s unable to identify themselves or their way back home, what would be most helpful to you then

Imagine moving thousands of miles away from home to pursue a degree you have always wanted. You can picture your new life on campus, the independence you will have and all the friends you will make. But then you arrive at your destination to find your excitement quickly replaced with anxiety and depression. You feel alone, isolated and away from everything that is comforting and familiar. 

Luan Torres is one of over 200 million people to call Brazil home. He grew up in a small community in Northern Brazil called Sao Bento, one of the poorest regions in the country, where he and his sibling were raised by a single mom. Food security, access to resources or a decent living were luxuries for Luan and his community. But that never held him back.

Aniska started her changemaking journey as an undergraduate student interested in working in the field of healthcare and wellbeing. This led her to studying Development Studies at the National College at Kathmandu University, where she focused on the impact education institutions have on the mental health and development of students.

With over five years of volunteering experience and leading her own social impact projects, Abigail had become skilled at volunteer management and coordination. The passion for volunteering started in her second year of university when Abigail was inspired to take action in her community in Lagos, Nigeria. But with every experience, she started feeling disheartened by the lack of volunteer management and training at nonprofit organizations across Africa. Abigail's peers shared her disgruntlement and felt let down with the volunteer opportunities they had taken on. It became apparent to her that many of the young people looking to share their gifts through volunteering, were not receiving adequate support, training or resources to be effective in their role. This was upsetting for Abigail as she considered volunteers to be an integral part of any nonprofit organization's work. “The problem of volunteer mismanagement and lack of productivity has a ripple effect. It directly impacts the organization and therefore affects the organization's capacity to achieve its goal in making the world a better place,” she notes.

From a very young age, Lamiaa knew she wanted a career and was determined to overcome the challenges imposed by culture and tradition that would prevent her from achieving her dream of becoming a working woman. Growing up in upper Egypt, young women are rarely provided with the opportunity to pursue an education or seek training or participation at professional development workshops and events. In fact, there are almost no opportunities for professional development outside of the big city centers.

Since the turn of this century, Cardiff, Wales has seen steady growth, both in population and economic development. As the capital of Wales, it was always central to the nation’s economy, but by the 2000s, Cardiff was quickly asserting itself as a significant financial center for the entire UK. From the tourism industry to the financial institutions that employ more than 50,000 people to local universities, Cardiff’s industries spread the gamut and have created a population that outperforms the rest of Wales and the UK in qualifications.

Growing up in Singapore as a trans-masculine, genderqueer, pansexual individual, Luka grew up feeling alien and different, without any LGBTQIA+ role models to look up to or queer-affirming peers to talk to. Luka’s country criminalized their sexual identity and clamped down on any space for self expression. And while a new generation open to diverse identities was growing in Singapore, it was not until Luka moved to St.Louis, Missouri, USA, that they found the courage to come out and own their identity in public.