Reach the World

At the end of a record-breaking academic year of global engagement for Reach the World travelers, educators, and editors, it’s time to recognize stand-out Traveler Program participants with our Spring 2026 awards!

Our Most Dedicated traveler award goes to Gilman International Scholarship Program awardee Nathan Simmons II in Tokyo, !

Nathan is a rising senior at the University of Colorado Boulder, and having worked hard to make his own study abroad experience possible, Nathan consistently woke up in the middle of the night to share his stories and perspectives with educator Mariko Anderson’s students at Elkhorn North High School–one of only two high schools in Nebraska that offer Japanese language courses.

Congratulations, Nathan, and thank you for being a powerful global role model!

Nathan’s Journey to Japan 👉 reachtheworld.org/nathans-journey-japan

CIEE Study Abroad Elkhorn North High School

There’s ONE DAY left to bid on Reach the World’s Annual Benefit Silent Auction! Bidding will close at 8:35 p.m. EST tomorrow. There are amazing deals to be had on live music, theater, fine dining, and hotel getaways… get in the game and support global education for U.S. K-12 students!

🌎 Browse the auction -> https://us.givergy.com/reachtheworld2026
🎁 Bid on unique items
❤️ Support the next generation of global citizens

Pictured:
Two Tickets to Schmigadoon! on Broadway (Item 2)
Two-Night Suite Stay at Savoy Miami Beach (Item 27)
The Great Gatsby Tickets & Exclusive Backstage Tour (Item 40)
VIP Lunch for Four at Rockefeller Center Dining Club (Item 47)

Go behind the scenes at Rockefeller Center and NBC's iconic Studio 6B with VIP tickets to a taping of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon! Your bid on this unique experience directly supports global education in U.S. K-12 classrooms.

🎥 Place your bid -> https://us.givergy.com/reachtheworld2026

Football, soccer, tennis, golf, electronic music festivals… however you get your heart racing, Reach the World’s 2026 Annual Benefit Silent Auction has a prize for you! Every bid you place supports global education in U.S. K-12 classrooms.

🌎 Browse the auction -> https://us.givergy.com/reachtheworld2026
🎁 Bid on unique items
❤️ Support the next generation of global citizens

Pictured:
Jets Football (Items 6-9)
VIP Tickets to EDC Orlando (Item 25)
Court 16 Brooklyn Tennis (Item 21)
NYC FC Tickets in the Delta Sky360 Suite (Item 33)
Golf at Forest Hill Field Club (Item 19)

🚨 The 2026 Reach the World Annual Benefit Silent Auction is now OPEN! 🚨

Bid on unique experiences, travel opportunities, sports packages, and more—all while supporting global education in U.S. K-12 classrooms.

🌎 Browse the auction -> https://us.givergy.com/reachtheworld2026
🎁 Bid on unique items
❤️ Support the next generation of global citizens

Pictured: Two-night stay at the Hollywood Grande Hotel in Los Angeles (Item 24)

The 2026-27 Reach the World Traveler Application is officially OPEN!

Are you (or someone you know) heading abroad during the next academic year? Amplify the impact of your experiences by serving as a global role model for K-12 students across the U.S.

👉Apply now: bit.ly/travelwithrtw
🙌Tag a friend who would be a great global role model!

Congratulations to Reach the World Traveler of the Week, Susan Sunay! Susan is a Peace Corps Volunteer working on community health projects in , and she’s sharing her experiences abroad through a with educator Rebecca Smith’s 4th-grade students in Birmingham, .

From dung beetles to regional traditions and everyday life in Botswana, Susan is helping Rebecca’s students gain new perspectives and an increased curiosity about the world around them.

Want to experience Botswana through Susan’s eyes? Check out her Reach the World virtual exchange homepage 👉 reachtheworld.org/susans-journey-botswana.

Thank you for being a strong global role model, Susan!

Peace Corps Botswana

Congratulations to Reach the World Traveler of the Week, Brianna Patterson! Brianna is a Fulbright U.S. Student Program grantee from North Carolina, and she spent most of the previous year working as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Manama, Bahrain. She shared her experiences in Bahrain through a with educator Rich Strayer’s 7th-grade classes in , reporting on Ramadan and even undertaking a student-designed scavenger hunt around the island nation. When Brianna had to leave Bahrain, she continued to nurture her Reach the World students’ curiosity, undertaking a similar scavenger hunt around Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and sharing the results!

Special thanks to Brianna for her resilience and dedication to her students in Oklahoma… check out the results 👉 reachtheworld.org/briannas-journey-bahrain

Congratulations to Reach the World Traveler of the Week, Maurycy Pedroza!

Maurycy is a Gilman International Scholarship Program grantee and junior at Iowa State University, currently studying abroad in Budapest, . He is sharing his experiences with Budapest’s tram system, local festivals, and even regional travels through a with educator Sonia Cevantes’ 1st-grade students in Chicago, .

Have you ever wanted to know how to navigate Budapest, one of the most connected cities in the world? Let Maurycy be your guide 👉 reachtheworld.org/maurycys-journey-hungary/transportation/lets-ride-around-budapest

Way to go, Maurycy!