Launched in 2024, UT’s Global Citizens Program provides an opportunity for students to participate in an international educational program regardless of financial abilities. Each Global Citizens cohort identifies a country of interest and studies the selected country throughout the school year. Then, the cohort visits the selected country at the conclusion of the spring semester and participates in various educational experiences. The inaugural cohort of Global Citizens participants traveled to Argentina in May 2025. The program is facilitated by the Office for Campus Culture and Community.
Written By: Kayla Stevenson, Senior Studying Applied Artificial Intelligence
In my time in the Global Citizens Program, I wasn’t truly nervous about studying abroad until the plane was preparing for takeoff. Throughout the year I was reserved with my cohort, and I didn’t think that would change when we flew to Buenos Aires. Yet I had a latent anxiety that occurred as we traveled, and for a while I couldn’t figure out why.
In many ways, we are so different from one another in behavior, culture, and language. And when you aren’t able to travel, this narrative can inevitably feed your anxiety as a first-time study abroad student. Even though we learned about Argentinian history and culture for the past year, there was still a distance from us and what we were learning. What does it look like there? Who will I meet? Will I be comfortable so far from home?
When I was fully immersed in the reality of another community, the bubble popped, and I started to worry less about differences. I found myself reflecting on the similarities I held with people from around the world. When we met high school students from nearby schools, we bonded over our favorite movies, shows, and songs. We exchanged childhood memories and life experiences with our guides and volunteers. Those of us within the cohort who may not have talked outside of school got to know each other on a deeper level.
When I was fully immersed in the reality of another community, the bubble popped, and I started to worry less about differences. I found myself reflecting on the similarities I held with people from around the world. When we met high school students from nearby schools, we bonded over our favorite movies, shows, and songs. We exchanged childhood memories and life experiences with our guides and volunteers. Those of us within the cohort who may not have talked outside of school got to know each other on a deeper level.
I was nervous about adjusting to being abroad. But after seeing the artwork of hundreds of vendors at the local markets, walking around museums that showcase Indigenous cultures, marveling at the colorful sculptures and repurposed European-influenced architecture, basking in the warm glow of the sun while eating freshly-baked empanadas in the Argentinian countryside, walking along lively cobblestone streets to visit restaurants filled with steaks and pastas and delicacies I had never tried before, every moment I shared with my cohort became precious to me. Every ride home, every interaction, and every cultural exchange held an invaluable piece of knowledge that I could use to grow.
“Every moment I shared with my cohort became precious to me. Every ride home, every interaction, and every cultural exchange held an invaluable piece of knowledge that I could use to grow.”
Kayla Stevenson
Senior Studying Applied Artificial Intelligence
Throughout this experience, the biggest thing I have learned is to embrace discomfort and cherish the moments that will soon become memories by living in the present as my true, authentic self. I feel more confident getting to know new people, and my cohort taught me how to ask insightful questions about people’s life experiences in a respectful way.
The Global Citizens Program was developed through the generous support of Dwight Hutchins (‘86), who is very passionate about increasing access to cultural immersion experiences for students.
In May 2025, 10 students and two staff members traveled from Tennessee to Argentina with the Global Citizens Program for a 12-day immersive experience. The group visited local museums and festivals, learned to make traditional dishes, studied Spanish, explored local sites and even took a pottery class alongside an art exhibit featuring traditional art and sculpture. As a nearly fully-funded program, Global Citizens helps students who might not otherwise be able to afford
an experience like this to explore other countries.
This opportunity was the first study abroad experience supported through this program.