Are you curious about people from different parts of the world but don't know where to start?
With an average of 15 countries represented each year, Global Crossroads is truly a diverse community. Global Crossroads gives residents lots of ways to interact with and befriend students from many parts of the world. There are many social and academic opportunities to learn about different cultures and to teach others about your own.
Are you looking for unique opportunities?
Global Crossroads provides unique opportunities you wouldn't necessarily think you could have! For example, most first-year students don't have the opportunity to interact personally with faculty members in their residence hall. Global Crossroads offers the Sunday Series [link] where faculty members present on their work in the hall and join us for on-going conversations over a special dinner. We've also taken amazing tripsto Chicago to see fantastic theatre and to visit the Dusable Museum of African American History and the National Museum of Mexican Art.
What kind of high school did you go to?
If you're coming from a diverse high school and want to continue that experience, Global Crossroads is for you. On the other hand, if you came from a school you feel was not very diverse and want a new kind of experience, then Global Crossroads is for you too.
Do you want a community that takes academic success seriously?
Global Crossroads students are very social, but they also get down to business when it comes to classes. The students here want to succeed, get their degrees, and go out into the world. One thing you gain from Global Crossroads is the skill to interact effectively with many different types of people. Global Crossroads also offers on-site courses related to world cultures and international relations. Click here to see courses.
Does the U of I seem huge and you want a "home base"?
Year after year, students who live in Global Crossroads say that their community gave them a great home where they got to know each other well. Let's face it: unless you're bold, it can be hard to strike up a conversation with a person sitting next you in a lecture hall with 500 students. Plus, staff at Global Crossroads can help point you towards resources for many issues you many face from finding a job to dealing with a health concern.
Do you want leadership opportunities?
When you are a first-year student, the opportunities can seem overwhelming. Global Crossroads gives you a place to start exercising those leadership skills. Global Crossroads has the resources to support you in creating programs and groups. As a sophomore, you can apply to become a Global Crossroads Orientation Leader (GOLE) where you plan the next year's Orientation and mentor new Global Crossroads students. Plus, you get a nice gift card to the Illini Union Bookstore to help pay for those books!
Questions?
Please feel free to call Lydia Khuri, Global Crossroads Program Coordinator, at 217.265.6276 or email her at globalcr@illinois.edu.