On July 4, 2026, nine Utah Valley University students representing the Utah International Mountain Forum (UIMF), a coalition of student clubs at UVU, began their study abroad journey to Geneva, Switzerland, and New York City. The delegation traveled to represent mountain communities, advocate for sustainable mountain development, and engage with international institutions, including the World Trade Organization and other United Nations agencies.
The students departed Salt Lake City excited about the once-in-a-lifetime opportunities ahead. However, what was supposed to be a smooth travel day quickly became an unforgettable lesson in resilience, teamwork, and student-engaged learning.
UVU students representing the Utah International Mountain Forum prepare to depart Salt Lake City for their United Nations study abroad
The delegation’s journey began with a connecting flight through Chicago. As the airplane approached Chicago, severe thunderstorms initially prevented it from landing. The aircraft spent more than an hour circling above Iowa, near Des Moines, because of the weather.
Eventually, the pilot announced that the airplane was running low on fuel and would need to divert to Milwaukee to refuel. At that point, the delegation’s connecting flight to Switzerland was scheduled to depart at 7:05 p.m., and it was already after 5:00 p.m. The students knew they were racing against the clock.
Before the diversion was completed, Chicago O’Hare International Airport informed the crew that space had become available, allowing the airplane to continue to Chicago.
Screenshots of the airplane circling above Iowa because of thunderstorms near Chicago
After finally landing in Chicago at approximately 6:20 p.m., the students rushed off the airplane, boarded the airport train to the international terminal, and hurried through the airport together. Despite the stress, they laughed, encouraged one another, and continued hoping that they would reach their international connection.
While the students were running through the airport, their phones began buzzing with text messages and emails informing them that their flight to Switzerland had been canceled because of the severe weather.
Screenshot of the notification informing the delegation that its international flight had been canceled
Naturally, the students were disappointed. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and every hour of the program mattered. There were moments when members of the delegation questioned whether they would even make it to Geneva in time to participate in their scheduled activities.
Instead of giving up, however, the students immediately shifted into problem-solving mode. Working together under the mentorship of their faculty advisor, they learned how to communicate with airline representatives, retrieve and rechecke luggage, rebook flights, arrange hotel accommodations and transportation, obtain meal vouchers, and begin addressing reimbursement procedures.
Natalia Figueroa also contacted Sarah Guzman, a family friend with airline experience. Her guidance helped the delegation better understand the rebooking process, communicate effectively with airline representatives, and determine the next steps necessary to continue the journey.
Members of the UIMF student delegation work together at Chicago O’Hare International Airport after their flight to Switzerland was canceled.
The rebooking process required some students to travel separately. One student was assigned an earlier flight from Chicago to Zurich and traveled independently before the rest of the delegation departed. After reaching Zurich, another student learned that she had been placed on a different connecting flight to Geneva. She traveled by train from Zurich to Geneva and later rejoined the delegation.
During the unexpected overnight stay in Chicago, the students remained together and maintained a positive attitude. While waiting for transportation to the hotel, they played games, shared conversations, and supported one another. That evening, the delegation ate Chicago deep-dish pizza before resting and preparing to return to the airport the following day.
What stood out most was how the team came together. Students from different backgrounds contributed different strengths and supported one another throughout the uncertainty. They remained positive, continued moving forward, and ensured that no student faced the situation alone.
A Screenshot of the Lunch/Dinner Voucher
The delegation eventually continued its journey through Zurich and arrived safely in Geneva. Because of the travel delay, however, the students had to cancel their first scheduled day of activities, which included registration and engagement with the United Nations.
Additional complications followed when five members of the delegation learned that their checked luggage was still in Chicago. The missing suitcases contained professional clothing, gifts for international delegates, hygiene products, and other essential belongings needed for the study abroad.
UVU Students on the Way to the Airport in Chicago
For more than a day, the affected students relied on the limited items packed in their carry-on bags. They washed the clothing they had available, shared supplies, and continued preparing for their upcoming diplomatic meetings and presentations.
Swiss International Air Lines worked to locate and return the delayed luggage. One student used an AirTag to confirm that her suitcase had remained at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. By Tuesday evening, the missing luggage had begun reaching Geneva.
A Swiss airline employee named Christopher provided valuable assistance as the delegation worked to recover its belongings. The students presented him with a Utah-themed puzzle as an expression of gratitude. Although Christopher explained that he was simply doing his job, his patience and kindness were especially meaningful following the delegation’s difficult journey.
UIMF students thank Swiss airline employee Christopher for assisting with the recovery of their delayed luggage in Geneva.
The travel disruption provided an unexpected opportunity for the students to apply UIMF’s student-engaged learning model. Through this model, students collectively address real-world problems while faculty members serve as mentors and provide guidance when necessary.
Dr. Baktybek Abdrisaev, the delegation’s faculty mentor, guided students through the necessary steps and helped them understand how to approach airline representatives, retrieve luggage, arrange transportation, and return safely to the airport. While faculty guidance remained available, students were given the opportunity to communicate with airline and hotel representatives, organize their next steps, and complete the necessary tasks themselves.
The delegation drew upon skills developed through previous UIMF projects, including teamwork, organization, communication, creativity, leadership, adaptability, and problem-solving. Aemish Brock, Dominic Callor, Sophie Jackson, and other members of the delegation stepped forward in different ways to assist with travel arrangements, support classmates, communicate with staff, and ensure that no student faced the situation alone.
The group also benefited from the experiences of nontraditional students who combine their education with employment, family responsibilities, and community engagement. Their practical knowledge and adaptability contributed to the delegation’s ability to respond calmly and continue working toward solutions.
Although this was not the type of student-engaged learning activity the delegation
expected, it demonstrated how the model prepares students to address complex and unpredictable
situations. The students continued preparing their write-ups, agendas, speeches, and
statements for their upcoming event at the World Trade Organization while delayed
in Chicago. Their willingness to remain productive under difficult circumstances demonstrated
their commitment to representing UVU and mountain communities on the international
stage. 
Students collaborate to resolve travel challenges through UIMF’s student-engaged learning model while receiving guidance from their faculty mentor.
The experience demonstrated that every student contributes different strengths, including courage, compassion, organization, humor, calmness, leadership, and practical knowledge. When those strengths were united through a shared purpose, the delegation became more capable of addressing each new challenge.
During the taxi ride to the hotel, the driver reminded the students that difficulties often arise before reaching an important destination. He encouraged the delegation to continue with faith because the work ahead would still be meaningful.
His words reflected what the students were feeling at the time. Around the world, communities face uncertainty, conflict, geopolitical tensions, environmental challenges, and unexpected disruptions. Yet moments such as these demonstrate that when people work together with a shared purpose, they can overcome obstacles that initially appear impossible.
The delegation’s journey may have been delayed, but its mission remained the same.
The journey did not begin according to plan, but it reinforced that diplomacy, advocacy, and meaningful service are rarely easy. Representing mountain communities, Indigenous Mapuche communities, and other underrepresented populations requires perseverance, humility, preparation, cooperation, and faith. The delays did not stop the delegation’s mission; they strengthened the students’ determination to fulfill it together.
Members of the delegation arrive in Geneva prepared to continue their international advocacy despite unexpected travel challenges.
The delegation is grateful to Dr. Baktybek Abdrisaev for mentoring the students while allowing them to take responsibility for resolving the challenges they faced. Recognition is also extended to Aemish Brock, Dominic Callor, Sophie Jackson, and the other students who supported the group throughout the journey.
The students also express appreciation to Sarah Guzman (one of the delegation's family friend), whose airline experience helped the delegation understand how to communicate with airline representatives and advocate for its needs. Additional thanks are extended to Christopher and the employees of Swiss International Air Lines who assisted with locating and returning the luggage, as well as the hotel and transportation staff who supported the delegation during its unexpected stay in Chicago.
Despite flight delays, separate travel arrangements, missing luggage, a passport emergency, and other complications, the delegation arrived safely and remained focused on representing Utah Valley University. The experience strengthened the students’ teamwork and prepared them for the diplomatic, academic, and advocacy responsibilities that followed in Geneva and New York City.
The skills demonstrated during those first difficult days continued to guide the students as they participated in diplomatic meetings, international advocacy, and activities supporting sustainable mountain development.
Written by Natalia Figueroa, President, Utah International Mountain Forum, Political Science Student at Utah Valley University
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