Author: Lily Guberman
This fall, the Global Training and Development Institute (GTDI) in UConn’s Office of Global Affairs welcomed 23 Fellows from nine Southeast Asian countries—Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam—as part of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative’s Academic Fellows Program (YSEALI AFP). Over five weeks, these emerging leaders engaged in a transformative program designed to strengthen entrepreneurial skills, foster leadership, and deepen understanding of U.S. culture. Funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), and administered by the University of Montana, this Fall marks the 17th YSEALI cohort hosted at the University of Connecticut’s Storrs campus on the theme of “Entrepreneurship and Innovation.” The initiative reflects UConn’s commitment to global engagement by creating opportunities for cross-cultural learning and collaboration that extend far beyond the classroom.
While the program is designed to deliver entrepreneurial education, its impact extends to every part of the Fellows’ experience. The group spends the duration of the program living and learning together, which fosters deep international connections among the Fellows and encourages intercultural exchange. This shared experience fosters trust, collaboration, and a deeper understanding of one another’s cultures.
One Fellow from the Philippines, Adam Emmanuel Guanzon, reflected on the experience, saying, “Love and understanding are universal languages.” As he became acquainted with the other Fellows, he noted that “we suspended stereotypes and biases to create a strong bond with each other.” A Fellow from Indonesia, Daniel Limantara, echoed this sentiment, expressing appreciation for “how tiny the world is.” He added that “we can find so many similarities between two regions. Everyone is a human after all, and we are all eager to learn about each other.” Together, Adam and Daniel’s reflections highlight the program’s deeper impact: beyond entrepreneurship, the experience fosters understanding, breaks down stereotypes, and builds meaningful connections across cultures.
In addition to cultural exchange, the program challenges Fellows to become innovators. During the first week, Fellows are assigned to small groups based on their interests to address a pressing social issue in their home community or country, and they work together to develop a business plan for their new enterprise during the four weeks of their academic residency. After a month of research and planning, the groups formally presented their ventures to their peers and members of the UConn community before departing from UConn to present their projects in Washington, DC, during week five. Projects ranged from an AI-driven platform matching businesses with legal assistance to a Philippine-based organization addressing systemic challenges between rice farmers and mills. Other teams addressed issues such as gaps in financial and budgeting knowledge in new graduates and increasing the visibility of marginalized creatives.
Participation in the YSEALI program opens doors to the future. Fellows can apply for up to $2,500 in project funding from YSEALI to kick-start their enterprises. This support is more than financial—it empowers Fellows to return home with actionable solutions that address pressing social and economic challenges in their communities. By connecting emerging Southeast Asian leaders with U.S. institutions, leadership and business specialists, and local entrepreneurs, the program creates a bridge for knowledge exchange and collaboration.
As the program concluded, Fellows departed from UConn with more than business plans; they carried home new perspectives, lifelong connections, and a renewed sense of purpose. For many, like Adam, the experience was about growth, as he noted that “this [program] is not just ‘a free trip to the U.S.’ The core of why [Fellows] are here is to learn from the university and the best of the best.” With opportunities to refine their ventures and apply for mini-grant project funding, Fellows are poised to turn their ideas into action to benefit their home communities and expand the impact of their learning long-term. Global exchange programs such as YSEALI not only empower young leaders from around the world but also strengthen ties between the U.S. and other regions, advancing innovation and collaboration that benefit everyone globally. Through programs like YSEALI, UConn GTDI continues to impact the next generation of global changemakers—leaders who will drive sustainable development, foster cross-cultural understanding, and build networks that make the world more connected and resilient.