Student Resources
International Programs in Engineering
International Student and Scholar Services (resources for international students)
Study Abroad Office
Academic Programs
The Global Studies Initiative is a program in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences that offers a variety of introductory courses that share a common lecture. Global Studies courses are part of a unique program that combines integrated curricula with internationally-prominent guest speakers; discover how globalization is transforming the world and you with it.
The College of Engineering offers an International Minor.
Reasons to become a "Global Citizen"
Choosing a major in the College of ACES?
The ACES web page provides a list of eight reasons why you should study abroad. You can begin working on five of those before you even begin classes! Living in Global Crossroads will add value to your education, enhance your employability, improve your communication skills, help you understand world issues, and let you make friends, gain a different perspective, and broaden your horizons. Then, after you’ve made the cultural adjustment to this campus and practiced crossing the cultural lines in Global Crossroads, you can pursue a study abroad experience from a more solid foundation of knowledge, skill, and confidence.
Are you majoring in a science?
As a scientist, you will be working in an international environment, even if you never leave your home state. The Scientist conducted a poll of its readers for its October 6, 2003 issue. Of the 420 people who responded, “A remarkable 36% of respondents presently work in a place other than their native homeland, and 59% have lived in more than one country for three or more months.” Global Crossroads will increase your knowledge of the world and help you build confidence in your interactions with people from backgrounds and environments different than the one in which you grew up.
Are you entering the College of Engineering?
“Engineering students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are strongly encouraged to gain international awareness and experiences.” That’s according to the College of Engineering’s website. If you live in Global Crossroads, you will be developing cross-cultural communication skills that will serve you well throughout your career. Many of the engineers who spend a substantial portion of their time in other countries today never thought they’d leave US soil for anything other than a tropical vacation. Just because you don’t foresee yourself working in another country doesn’t mean it will never happen. You can assess and enhance your international acumen without the stress and commitment of a study abroad program by living in Global Crossroads. Then, you will have a better idea of what crossing cultures involves, and you will be better equipped to take full advantage of the wonderful study/work abroad opportunities the College of Engineering offers you.
Are you hoping to be admitted to U of I’s teacher education program?
Question II on the essay portion of the application is “Discuss how your experiences or lack thereof have influenced your ideas of cultural/racial/ethnic diversity (language, people with disabilities, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, etc.)”. If you live in Global Crossroads, you will have a wide variety of experiences to discuss when you write this application during the second semester of your sophomore year. It is an easy, enjoyable way to build cross-cultural skills without adding coursework to your overburdened class schedule. Plus, you will have a ready-made group of friends from around the world to provide you with interesting artifacts, examples, and guest speakers once you are in the classroom.
Are you majoring in business?
You can’t even watch the nightly news without hearing the catch phrase “global economy”. In the new business sector, exposure to a multitude of cultures puts the college graduate at the head of the pack. Sandra Kerka, author of Career Education for a Global Economy says that [work in the new economy] “requires a broader set of skills…dealing with other people in an international context requires intercultural communication…workers need a global mindset…the ability to look at the broader context.” To illustrate this point, each year Fortune magazine ranks the globe’s 500 largest companies. Among the companies were leaders such as Walmart, Starbucks, and American Express. Each of these companies were leaders within their respective sectors and expanding globally, Walmart #1 retailer in 3 countries, Starbucks #1 coffee retailer represented in 25 countries, and American Express #1 travel agent with 20% of its $24B in sales from non-US markets. In a world that sees itself more and more broadly, Global Crossroads will increase your exposure to a many different cultures and, through your interactions, give you the “broader context” the new economy demands.