Kick Up Your Global Competency!
Gaining global competency is increasingly important for college students in our interconnected world. By actively seeking out these opportunities, college students can significantly enhance their global competency and prepare themselves for a diverse and interconnected world.
1. Study Abroad Programs: Go abroad to study and immerse yourself in different cultures, learn new languages, and gain first-hand experience of global issues.
2. International Internships: Intern with international companies or organizations to understand global business practices and work in diverse environments.
3. Foreign Language Proficiency: Learn and become proficient in one or more foreign languages to enhance communication skills and cultural understanding. Become fluent in another language to make yourself marketable to international organizations.
4. Diverse Coursework: Take courses focused on international relations, global economics, world history, and cultural studies to broaden your global perspectives.
5. Engaging with International Students: Build relationships with international students on campus to foster cultural exchange and mutual understanding.
6. Participation in Global Organizations: Join clubs and organizations with a global focus, such as Model United Nations, to provide insights into international issues and diplomacy. Get involved in student organizations and take on a leadership role.
7. Global Service Learning: Engage in volunteer work or service-learning projects abroad to address global challenges and develop a sense of global citizenship.
8. Attending Global Conferences and Seminars: Participate in international conferences, seminars, and workshops to be exposed to diverse viewpoints and global networks.
9. Online Courses and Virtual Exchanges: Enroll in online courses with a global curriculum or participate in virtual exchange programs and connect with peers worldwide. Use your network to complete informational interviews.
10. Reading and Staying Informed: Keep up with global news, read international literature, and stay informed about global issues to develop a well-rounded global perspective about political, economic and social changes worldwide.
College students from all countries, including the US, are encouraged to engage in a variety of activities together to enhance mutual global competency. This could include cultural or language exchange events, volunteering together or celebrating one another’s holidays. A few other ideas:
*Global Issue Discussions: Hold regular discussion groups or seminars on global issues to share diverse perspectives and knowledge.
*Collaborative Projects: Work on academic or extracurricular projects together that require input from different cultural perspectives. This could include research projects, presentations, or community service initiatives.
*International Food Fairs: Cook and share dishes from your home countries to promote culinary diversity and conversation about cultural traditions.
*Travel and Excursions: Plan trips to local cultural sites, museums, and historical landmarks. These outings can provide context for learning about each other's backgrounds and foster shared experiences.
*Sports and Recreation: Participate in sports and recreational activities, such as soccer, basketball, or hiking. Physical activities can be a fun way to bond and learn about each other's interests.
*Cultural Workshops and Classes: Attend or organize workshops on traditional crafts, dances, or cooking classes from various cultures. These activities can be both educational and entertaining.
*Film and Book Clubs: Watch international films or read books from different countries, followed by discussions to explore cultural contexts and themes.
*Mentorship Programs: Domestic and international students mentor each other to offer support and guidance in academic and social settings.
By engaging in these activities, domestic and international students can build lasting friendships, deepen their understanding of global cultures, and develop the skills necessary for global competency.
Global competency requires curiosity, connectedness, resilience and empathy. Our communities, locally and globally, are facing unprecedented challenges, and we need a generation who possesses the skills and the will to take informed and collective action on issues of global significance.