![It's not a major. It's not a certificate. It's a global skills toolkit. [icons of tools] Sign up for Year 1 today!](https://wmich.edu/sites/default/files/styles/1280x256/public/images/u823/2021/GEP%202021_Flexible%20Page%20Banner_3840x768_0.png?itok=IY9jdLM9×tamp=1627581979)
Global Engagement Program
Discover the world. Gain global skills. Develop a Bronco network. Be a global leader in your field. Earn a passport.
In Year 1: "Global Learning for All," you will take courses with other freshman from around the University to learn about the world, interact with peers abroad and study abroad virtually. These courses will help you complete essential studies for your academic major. At the end of your first year, you will have a network of Broncos from all academic colleges that you call on in the future to solve the complex problems of the world.
While you can continue in the Global Education Program for up to four years, there is no program fee for the first year and successful completion earns you a $110 passport scholarship!
Program Structure
Year 1: Global Learning for All
| Semester | Program Components | Program Fee |
| Fall | 3-credit Western Essential Studies Course (options TBA) | Global Classroom Global Classrooms connect you to students abroad to work cooperatively and collaboratively on course tasks! | $0 |
| Spring | GIST 3100: Global Studies in the Field | Virtual Study Abroad |
Successful completion of Year 1: Global Learning for All, earns you a $500 scholarship to apply to the study abroad program of your choosing (virtual or travel).
Year 2: Global Collaboration
| Semester | Program Components | Program Fee* | Notes |
| Fall | EDLD 3020: Leadership & Advocacy for a Diverse Society | $2,200 | Participants are eligible to apply for study-abroad scholarship funding during semesters that include study abroad components. |
| Spring | Team-building, collaboration and leadership skills workshops | $2,200 | |
| Summer | Travel study abroad program (group travel) | $0 |
*In year 2, the fall/spring program fees includes all program components (tuition, course materials, travel, retreats, etc.). Personal expenses during all travel components of the program are not included (ex. extra food, personal leisure, souvenirs, etc.).
Year 3: Beyond the Classroom
| Semester | Program Components | Program Fee* | Notes |
| Fall | Long-term study abroad program (independent travel) | $2,200 | Participants are eligible to apply for study-abroad scholarship funding during semesters that include study abroad components. |
| Spring | $2,200 |
Year 4: Global Leadership
| Semester | Program Components | Program Fee | Notes |
| Fall | Project management course and collaboration project work | $2,200 | Participants are eligible to apply for study-abroad scholarship funding during semesters that include study abroad components. |
| Spring | Collaboration project submission and leadership conference (group travel) | $2,200 |
*In year 4, the fall/spring program fees includes all program components (tuition, course materials, travel, retreats, etc.). Personal expenses during all travel components of the program are not included (ex. extra food, personal leisure, souvenirs, etc.).
Why Join?
Discover the world. 
Year 1 of the Global Engagement Program (Global Learning for All) helps you understand your studies through a global lense. The fall-semester GIST 2000: Introduction to Global and International Studies course will help you transition to WMU and the Global Engagement Program while introducing some global topics. The "global classroom" model will connect you with classrooms, people and places around the world. The spring-semester GIST 3100: Global Special Topics is a virtual study abroad program that will help you explore the globe without leaving Kalamazoo!
If you continue in the Global Engagement Program, you will go beyond the classroom to discover the world through a group study abroad program in Year 2 and an independent, long-term program in Year 3. In Year 4, you will put your skills and experiences to the test and learn more about the world by completing a project in which you partner with an international organization.
Develop a Bronco network. 
You will progress through the Global Engagement Program alongside other students who enter at the same time. This means that you will develop a network of other students, in majors all across the University, that you will stay in touch with during the program and after graduation from WMU. You will take classes with them, study abroad with them and work on projects with them. Who knows? You may even become friends.
The complexities of today's global issues requires us to work together with individuals from all fields. To make a real difference as a leader in your field, you need the ability to work alongside engineers, doctors, biologists, business owners and more. The Global Engagement Program network enables you to make those connections and learn, early, how to work in teams students in diverse academic fields.
A global skills toolkit is important to employers. 
- The majority of employers view the ability to communicate/work with people from different cultural backgrounds as very important. 93% agree that it's at least somewhat important. (AACU Employer Report, 2021)
- 44% of employers are much more likely to consider hiring a candidate with a global learning experience that included exposure to diverse experiences and perspectives and application of learning to their major and ther own life. 84% are at least somewhat more likely to consider. (AACU Employer Report, 2021)
- 41% of employers are much more likely to consider hiring a candidate who participated in a community-based or service-learning project with a community organization. 85% are at least somewhat more likely to consider. (AACU Employer Report, 2021)
Be a global leader in your field.
The complexities of today's global issues requires us to work together with individuals from all fields. To make a real difference as a leader in your field, you need the ability to work alongside engineers, doctors, biologists, business owners and more. The Global Engagement Program network enables you to make those connections and learn, early, how to work in teams students in diverse academic fields.
See what 2022 student Gabe Stacey of Pleasant Ridge, Michigan had to say in a contest-winner reflection essay after his first semester here!
Learn More
Information sessions will be held during WMU's summer orientation programming. Dates, times and additional details will be announced soon!
Can't attend an in-person information session? View a recorded presentation.
Sign Up!
The WMU Global Engagement Program is intended for all students across disciplines! It is ideal for incoming freshman, but can accept students of other levels. Students must be fully admitted to WMU to apply.
Admission to the Global Engagement Program is offered on a first-come-first-served basis until maximum capacity is reached.
Enrollment for the 2022 fall semester is closed.
Contact the Haenicke Institute for Global Education with additional questions at wmu-international@wmich.edu.
