Global Scholars is a program that requires an application in the freshman year and has mandated GPA and course requirements in order to stay enrolled in the program. Global Scholars creates a small cohort of admitted students into the program to work together to experience various cultural exchanges and programs. Field trips, penpal exchanges with students in Singapore, and Zoom call dialogues are some of the many events that Global Scholars partake in.
Global Scholars means being part of a program that focuses on learning about the world and different cultures. Being a Global Scholar takes responsibility and commitment, and it pushes me to stay focused on my academics while also growing as a person. To me, Global Scholars is also about being part of a group of students who work together. We experience things together that many other students do not get the chance to do. Through Global Scholars, I have been able to take part in many cultural exchanges and programs that helped me learn outside of the classroom. Global Scholars has helped me see that the world is connected and that learning can happen through conversation and shared experiences.
Application: Submission of application by date determined each Spring, usually in March. Students will be notified as to acceptance within two weeks of application deadline.
Coursework and Language Study: In addition to all Notre Dame graduation requirements:
Maintain 3.6 GPA while enrolled in the GCS program.
Completion of four globally oriented elective courses. See the course options below.
Global Scholars must complete four years of the same world language.
International and Cross-Cultural Experiences: Completion of three cross-cultural experiences, through which students engage with and often befriend peers who have different identities from themselves; teaching our students the soft skills considered to be vital for success in our 21st century world. Each experience requires approval from the program coordinator in order to qualify.
Cross-Cultural experiences might include:
Academic exchange programs, international volunteer experience.
Leadership and/or active participation in international or multicultural organizations. Volunteering/service with local organizations that have a global mission (tutoring ESL persons or refugee children, working at cultural organizations, etc.)
Virtual exchanges, international conferences, pen pal communication
Hosting an exchange student
Program Attendance: Participation in a minimum of four on- or off-campus global-themed activities and events. These might be lectures, performances, conferences, workshops, museums visits, field trips, etc.. The goal for these opportunities are to observe, listen, and reflect in order to learn more about the world.
Reflections: Reflecting on novel and unique experiences are critical to cross-cultural learning and skill development. Reflections are to be written after each experience, 1-2 pages in length, and submitted to program coordinator through GCS Canvas Course.
School Clubs: Involvement in one school-sponsored club that relates to global issues and/or studies.
Model UN, World Affairs Club, Politics and Policy Club, Diversity Club, Identity/Affinity Clubs, Chinese, Russian, French or Spanish Club.
Senior Research Project: The Senior Research Project through English classes will focus on globally-oriented topic. Field work for SRP should provide you with valid experience for your research and for building on skills related to intercultural or global competencies. Both must be approved by program coordinator.
Progress Meetings: Scholars must meet with program coordinator once in freshman year, twice in sophomore, junior year, and senior year. The student is responsible for scheduling her meetings through calendly once Mrs. Moffat sends out the link. These meetings are meant to check in with the students well-being as well as discuss progress made towards completing requirements. For example; project themes, global extracurriculars, cross-cultural experiences completed, leadership goals, reflections written, course selection, senior research project topics, etc.
Webfolio: Completion a of a global citizen webfolio. Scholars will begin to compile their webfolios in the spring of their sophomore year and will have them ready to be included on college applications in the fall of senior year. This will include reflections on all aspects of the scholar program (coursework, global experiences, clubs, events, programs, travel, etc.), as well as photos, videos, presentations, and other forms of documentation of their robust and rich experiences in the program.