The Global Fellows Program

Linguistic Competence

By the end of the program, students must demonstrate proficiency in a language spoken primarily outside of the United States (or beyond the student’s country of origin), equivalent to at least the fifth semester of college study, through placement or course work (which can include language coursework abroad).

International Coursework

Global Fellows will commit to increasing the number and breadth of international courses that they complete for graduation. These may be completed during their four years at McDaniel or be transferred in (subject to program approval).  These courses may also satisfy other requirements in their major(s), minor(s), or McDaniel Plan program.  Each Global Fellow must take a minimum of five such courses. Of these:

• at least THREE courses should be dedicated to different geographical areas,
• a broad range of time periods should be studied, and
• courses should be taken in at least three disciplines.

The purpose of these criteria is to ensure that Global Fellows have a broad understanding of the peoples, cultures, histories, and concerns of different parts of the world, and a deep appreciation for the complexity of pressing world issues.  This coursework, in addition to the Experience Abroad component, will also help them to develop a broader capacity for perspective taking that is the mark of high-level intercultural competency.  

Experience Abroad

Global Fellows may elect either: a full semester, a full year, a summer, or certain Jan Term programs that must be preapproved by the Global Fellow Program faculty committee. Global Fellows will commit to the successful completion of either a full semester abroad in an approved experiential learning or academic program, or an approved short-term study abroad or experiential learning program. Global Fellows will select their abroad experience in consultation with the Director of the International Programs in the Center for Experience and Opportunity. Short-term programs must be linked to an academic program or independent academic study before and after the student’s trip to deepen their understanding of the community in which they are immersed.

While a full semester abroad would be optimal, it must be recognized that this is currently not feasible for a portion of our student population. Global Fellows are encouraged to seek scholarship opportunities through the Center for Experience and Opportunity. International students and students who have lived a significant part of their lives outside the United States (Global Bridge students) may seek alternative opportunities to meet this requirement. See Dr. McNichols as amcnichols@mcdaniel.edu to learn more about this option.

Capstone Experience

Each Global Fellow will enhance their Capstone Experience in their major by either selecting a project theme that is global in nature, or making arrangements to do an added presentation or brief paper that connects his or her research or major to greater global issues or themes. In the event of a double major, they will only be required to apply global learning to one.  The student will work in coordination with the Capstone Experience advisor or instructor, and the Director of Global Initiatives or a designated professor who is an area specialist or whose research and specialization are international in scope, preferably in a related area.

Internships and Research

Students will be encouraged, but not required, to seek out experiential learning opportunities (which can include research, service and internships) that are international in scope during years three and four of the program. These opportunities can be taken up abroad or in the United States. To identify such opportunities, students should consult with the Center for Experience and Opportunity and the International Programs Office.  These internships require pre-approval by the Director of Global Initiatives in order to form part of the student’s “Global Learning Portfolio.”

Internationally Themed Events

The Global Fellows should participate in six globally-focused activities or events that may provide an immersive experience or broaden their global perspective. They seek out these experiences themselves, then write up a brief reflection and summary for inclusion in their Senior Global Learning Portfolio. Each Global Fellow will then have a self-selected set of experiences at the end of their three years in the program.

Community Outreach and Civic Engagement

Global Fellows are encouraged to work together to reach out to schools, libraries, civic associations, etc. to share their experiences and learning with the greater Westminster community. Global Fellows will identify and discuss these opportunities in consultation with the Associate Director of Community Outreach and Initiatives in the Center for Experience and Opportunity. If they wish to do such outreach in the community with the Global Fellows, they should discuss this with the Director of the Global Fellows Program.

Workshops

Workshops will be planned for the Global Fellows to develop intercultural competency and professional skills that will serve them in a global context and allow them time for meaningful reflection on their own identity as global citizens. The Global Fellows will be part of the planning of such workshops, which will be offered in rotation so that none repeat for any one cohort of students in the program, with a full three-year cycle.

Colloquium

Each semester the Global Fellows will work with the Director of Global Initiatives to plan a colloquium on a current global issue. Students will prepare for these colloquia by keeping up with world news and completing suggested readings. These are public events, open for full participation by all McDaniel students, faculty, staff, alumni, and greater Westminster community members.