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!

Global Engagement Program

Discover the world. Gain global skills. Develop a Bronco network. Be a global leader in your field. Earn scholarship money.    

Video of WMU Global Engagement Program: Year 1 | Global Learning for All
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 $500 study abroad scholarship!

Information in this webpage applies to students entering the program in Fall 2021. 

 

Program Structure

Year 1: Global Learning for All 

SemesterProgram ComponentsProgram Fee
FallGIST 2000: Introduction to Global Studies | 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

In virtual study abroad, interact with the culture, geography and people in other countries via videoconferencing and other online tool. 

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). 

Sign Up Today!     

Year 2: Global Collaboration

SemesterProgram ComponentsProgram Fee*Notes
FallEDLD 3020: Leadership & Advocacy for a Diverse Society$2,200Participants are eligible to apply for study-abroad scholarship funding during semesters that include study abroad components. 
SpringTeam-building, collaboration and leadership skills workshops$2,200
SummerTravel 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

SemesterProgram ComponentsProgram Fee*Notes
FallLong-term study abroad program (independent travel)$2,200Participants are eligible to apply for study-abroad scholarship funding during semesters that include study abroad components. 
Spring$2,200
*In year 3, the fall/spring program fees — $4,400 —  are applied directly to the cost of each student's chosen study abroad program. Program fees for study abroad programs vary considerably. 

Year 4: Global Leadership   

SemesterProgram ComponentsProgram FeeNotes
FallProject management course and collaboration project work$2,200Participants are eligible to apply for study-abroad scholarship funding during semesters that include study abroad components. 
SpringCollaboration 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. "The program really opens ones' eyes to all the wonders of globalization and how everything we see, do, and own is influenced by so much more than the U.S...There is not enough information on the global economy and how we are all connected as a species on this big blue planet." Nick Besta, Anthropology major, Global Engagement Program 2018

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. "The program was incredibly helpful in my transition to Western. The friends I made in the first couple weeks of classes are some of the best friends I have now. It was comforting knowing that no matter what we had going on in our first-semester transition into college life, we had a class full of people every Monday who could share in that experience." Aya Miller, Film, Video & Media Studies major, Global Engagement Program 2019

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. "I am going in the business field which is extremely competitive in the job market. Having just a college degree is not enough, I hope that by becoming a global leader it will help give me an edge over my competition. Joining this program is one of the best decisions I have made in coming to college." Sierra Olson, Business major, Global Engagement Program 2019

  • 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 world is becoming increasingly globalized and I love that this program teaches us to be the world leaders of tomorrow. The program has given me the opportunity to interact with people from around the world and has taught me valuable communication and leadership skills." Julia Mills, Food & Consumer Packaged Goods Marketing major, Global Engagement Program 2018

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.

 

Sign up Today! 

 

 

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.

Sign-Up & Registration Process

  1. Complete the WMU Global Engagement Registration Form. 
  2. Register for a Global Engagement Section of GIST 2000: Introduction to Global & International Studies. 
    Option A (Hybrid Model): CRN 45985 (M/W 3:30 to 4:45 p.m.)
    Option B (Hybrid Model): CRN 45973 (T/R 3:30 to 4:45 p.m.)
  3. Check your email frequently for program communication!

Contact the Haenicke Institute for Global Education with additional questions at wmu-international@wmich.edu.