← Back to News List

FREE: 10-Week Online Global Virtual Exchange Program!

Connect across cultures and explore youth well-being

Hello UMBC Undergraduates!

NOTE: If you already participated in one of the previous 4 week programs, you ARE eligible to join this (new, expanded) 10 week program!

The Department of Sociology, Anthropology, & Public Health (SAPH) has an ongoing program that may be of interest to you. The program is entitled "Youth Well-Being" and is funded by the prestigious Stevens Initiative, which is an international collaboration funded by the US Department of State, the Bezos Family Foundation, and the governments of Morocco and the UAE. The effort is named after the U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens who "devoted his life to building connections through open and respectful dialogue and person-to-person diplomacy... He served the majority of his Foreign Service career in the Middle East and North Africa, a region he grew to love, and eventually served as U.S. Ambassador to Libya." In other words, the goal of the Stevens Initiative is to build friendship, learning, and exchange between countries. The program is completely FREE and includes a mixture of asynchronous and synchronous (Wednesdays from 10:05–11:35am USA EDT on Sept. 2, Sept. 9, Sept. 16, Sept. 30, Oct. 14, and Oct. 28). See details, timeline, and sign up link below!

Youth Well-Being: Stevens Initiative Virtual Exchange Program 
Join undergraduate students from Khalifa University, UMBC, and Miami University (of Ohio) for an engaging 10-week virtual exchange (mixture of asynchronous and synchronous content, see schedule below) exploring youth well-being from a global perspective. Running September 2 – October 28, 2026, the program dives into American and UAE lifestyles, the dimensions of well-being, and the role of families, communities, and economies in shaping healthier futures. Through interactive modules, live discussions, and collaborative projects, students will connect across cultures, sharpen their critical thinking, and gain practical insights into improving well-being worldwide. Participants who complete the program will earn a certificate of completion and join the Stevens Initiative Alumni Network, expanding their global academic and professional connections. Apply by August 31, 2025 to be part of this unique international learning experience! 

ENROLL HERE BY AUGUST 31ST: https://forms.gle/VQYtyxv9pyjbdUm77

QUESTIONS? Contact Dr. Yamashita: yamataka@umbc.edu
Schedule for the Youth Well-Being Program Fall 2026, showing synchronous sessions held Wednesdays from 10:05–11:35 a.m. EDT and asynchronous modules. The program runs from September 2 through October 28. Synchronous sessions are September 2, 9, 16, and 30; October 14 and 28. Asynchronous modules open at 11:30 a.m. and close at 1:00 p.m. EDT during their listed date ranges: September 9–16, September 23–30, October 7–14, and October 21–28. Participants must complete at least 80% of the program to receive a certificate.

Flyer for the Fall 2026 Youth Well-Being Virtual Exchange Program for UMBC undergraduates, co-hosted with Khalifa University and Miami University. Contains program details, schedule, an August 27, 2026 application deadline, and a QR code to apply.

Posted: August 18, 2026, 9:24 AM

Read Original Post in myUMBC
Flyer for the Fall 2026 Youth Well-Being Virtual Exchange Program for UMBC undergraduates, co-hosted with Khalifa University and Miami University. Contains program details, schedule, an August 27, 2026 application deadline, and a QR code to apply.