Why Go Global?

In today’s collaborative, global, innovation age, an international education is an integral part of the pathway to global citizenship.  To that end, UNCW is committed to developing global citizens who:

• demonstrate knowledge of complexity and interconnectedness of environmental, socio-cultural, and geopolitical issues;
• communicate effectively within and among diverse cultural groups. (This includes verbal and non-verbal modes of communication.); and
• respect cultural differences and embrace common humanity.*

To facilitate reaching the strategic goal of developing and graduating global citizens, UNCW offers study abroad programs for undergraduate and graduate students, nurtures international professional development on the part of the faculty, promotes a global curriculum, hosts international students studying at UNCW, and supports on-campus extra-curricular international programming.

Each member of the university community benefits from taking advantage of UNCW’s global programming.

A global education offers students the opportunity to:

• Gain a competitive edge in the global workforce.
• Acquire first-hand experiences with diverse cultures, people and places.
• Develop leadership, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Broaden cultural awareness, appreciation and engagement.
• Gain a global perspective that places the United States as one player on the world stage.
• Explore new academic subjects and cross-disciplinary perspectives.
• Increase relevant experiences and marketability for continuing education and careers in a global economy.
• Internationalize one’s network of peers/colleagues.
• Work with faculty and mentors in small group and one-on-one situations.
• Recognize cultural biases.
• Critically analyze stereotypes, generalizations and media accounts based on first-hand information.
• Appreciate one’s own culture based on international experience.
• Connect international experiences to other coursework.
• Frame issues in major/minor area in global context.
• Encourage connections with international students on campus.
• Enhance one’s skill in intercultural communication.
• Increase language skills and fluency.
• Increase one’s skills in areas of academic, personal or professional interest by exploring how those areas of interest are pursued or developed in other nations and culture.
• Increase confidence, resourcefulness and resilience in handling dynamic situations which arise in international travel and cultural exchanges.
• Represent UNCW, North Carolina and the United States as an ambassador of good will.

wilGlobal immersion provides faculty and staff with the opportunity to:

• Assist UNCW students going abroad.
• Bring unique experience back to the university.
• Forward the interests and objectives of the university.
• Identify, investigate and evaluate international study opportunities for students.
• Continue or strengthen the university’s internationalization process.
• Internationalize the university’s curriculum.
• Support research, publication, conferencing, and grants from international sources.
• Encourage the development of faculty intercultural and foreign language skills.
• Interact effectively with foreign students, scholars, and other visitors to UNCW.
• Acquaint themselves with the logistics, challenges, and pleasures of foreign travel.

*The definition outlined above situates UNCW in the national dialogue that is currently underway regarding global citizenship. The three abovementioned bullets are distilled from a much more detailed definition found in the ACE publication called At Home in the World.