As part of SDG Day 2026 on October 2, 2026, Holy Child Central Colleges, Inc. (HCCCI) featured “UGEO Stories: From HCCCI to UNISBA,” giving student participants in the 4th UNISBA Global Student Motion (UGEO) 2026 an opportunity to share their international learning experiences and inspire fellow students to explore similar opportunities. The presentation highlighted the students’ academic engagement, cultural exchanges, collaborative activities, and contributions during the program at Universitas Islam Bandung (UNISBA), Indonesia.

The HCCCI delegation brought together students from different academic programs and communities: Jacky E. Caro, a second-year Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Marketing Management student representing Surallah, South Cotabato; Elen May T. Ugal, a third-year Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy student and a proud T’boli representing the Municipality of T’boli; Clanther John C. Rios, a second-year Bachelor of Science in Information Technology student representing Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat; and Xhyrhyll Jay C. Bago, known as Cyrill, a Grade 11 STEM student representing Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.

During UGEO 2026, the students participated in academic sessions, group activities, campus engagements, and cultural exchanges alongside participants from other backgrounds. These experiences exposed them to different perspectives on education, culture, and sustainable development while allowing them to practice communication, teamwork, adaptability, and intercultural collaboration in an international setting.

As part of the program’s learning activities, the delegates engaged with the Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Through presentations and collaborative group work, they explored how global development priorities relate to education, inclusion, cultural identity, and the sustainability of communities. Their participation also provided an opportunity to exchange ideas with fellow delegates and consider how young people can contribute to addressing challenges within their own communities.

The HCCCI participants also shared aspects of Philippine heritage through cultural presentations featuring T’boli culture, storytelling, traditional dancing, and karaoke. These activities allowed them to introduce elements of their cultural backgrounds while learning about the traditions and experiences of other participants. Their involvement demonstrated that international student programs are not only opportunities to learn about other countries but also platforms for representing one’s community and contributing to intercultural understanding.

Their participation received recognition when their group earned Best Group Participation for its SDG 11-related activity. The delegates also received Certificates of Appreciation in recognition of their participation. These achievements highlighted their engagement in the program and their ability to work collaboratively with fellow participants in an international learning environment.

Through “UGEO Stories: From HCCCI to UNISBA,” the students shared video documentation and personal reflections from their journey, allowing the wider HCCCI community to see the experiences behind the program. Their stories emphasized that international learning extends beyond lectures and formal academic activities. It includes building friendships across borders, learning to work with people from different backgrounds, gaining confidence in unfamiliar environments, and discovering shared interests that connect people beyond cultural differences.

The sharing also served as an opportunity to encourage other HCCCI students to consider international engagement. Hearing directly from fellow students helped demonstrate that international mobility can offer more than academic exposure: it can develop independence, broaden perspectives, strengthen cultural appreciation, and create personal and professional connections that may continue long after the program ends.

Building on the experience of the 2026 delegates, HCCCI intends to expand student participation in future UGEO programs, with the goal of sending more students in 2027. This direction reflects the institution’s commitment to making international learning available to a broader range of learners and encouraging more students to participate in cross-cultural education. HCCCI will seek to build on its experience with the program and explore continued coordination with UNISBA, while working toward opportunities for institutional support and possible assistance from local and provincial government partners. The aim is to enable more qualified and interested students to experience international learning and bring their insights back to the HCCCI community.

The participation of students from Surallah, T’boli, and Lake Sebu in South Cotabato, as well as Esperanza in Sultan Kudarat, also highlights the role of community support in helping young people access opportunities beyond their immediate surroundings. The involvement and support of local government partners, alongside the Provincial Government of South Cotabato for participating delegates, underscore the potential of cooperation among educational institutions and local communities in expanding students’ learning experiences.

The initiative aligns with SDG 4: Quality Education, through international learning and educational enrichment; SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, through efforts to broaden access to learning opportunities and encourage engagement across diverse backgrounds; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, through educational cooperation and student exchange between institutions and communities. By sharing the delegates’ experiences with fellow students, HCCCI also extends the educational value of international mobility beyond those who directly participated.

Through UGEO Stories, HCCCI reinforces the idea that international learning does not end when students return home. The knowledge, cultural insights, friendships, and lessons gained abroad can continue to benefit their peers and communities. As the institution looks toward 2027, HCCCI aims to build on the experiences of its first participating students, encourage wider student involvement, and create more opportunities for learners to represent their communities while developing the skills and perspectives needed to engage with an increasingly interconnected world.