What is the Global Engagement Program?
The Global Engagement Program, or GEP, is a no-cost program into which all WMU students are automatically enrolled. By attending events on campus, taking globally-engaging classes, and going on cultural trips within the USA and abroad, you earn points toward the fulfillment of the Global Bronco, Global Explorer, and Global Citizen statuses. Each status comes with unique rewards, including study abroad scholarships, that support your continued cultural and global engagement. Along the way, you’ll gain global competence, the confidence to work and engage with cultures worldwide, and a skill in high demand among employers and graduate school admissions.
Did you know you may have already earned some points toward your Global Engagement statuses without realizing it? You can check your status anytime in , which is accessible through your student portal or via .
Global Engagement For All
The GEP is offered through the Haenicke Institute for Global Education to support Western Â鶹´«Ã½Ó¦Óà University’s goal of global engagement for all. The program was created to give WMU students the knowledge and skills they need to lead in their chosen discipline and become global citizens. Global engagement is the key to widening horizons, strengthening cross-cultural communication skills, and increasing cultural humility. The program structure of the GEP is inclusive and accessible, providing a wide array of intercultural and international opportunities at no cost to students.
The GEP was designed for maximum flexibility to accommodate all students. Whether you are an undergrad, a grad student, a commuter, an international student, or a part-time student, this program is for you!
Program Overview
By attending on-campus events, enrolling in GEP-approved courses, and engaging in various globally-engaging experiences, students can earn points toward the Global Bronco, Global Explorer, and Global Citizen statuses.
Each status comes with unique rewards that can be earned sequentially or simultaneously – it all depends on how YOU want to engage with the world. Many WMU students opt first to earn the Global Bronco status, then the Global Explorer, and finally the Global Citizen.
Each spring, the Haenicke Institute for Global Education hosts a Global Engagement Program Award Ceremony to honor and recognize students who have earned GEP statuses over the course of the year.
| Status | Award | |
|---|---|---|
| Global Bronco | Attend any six "" events and choose from any two core Global Bronco requirements | $500 study abroad scholarship* |
| Global Explorer | Complete any of the 100+ GEP-approved courses AND GIST 3100 | $1000 study abroad scholarship* |
| Global Citizen | Meet two Global Citizen Requirements such as studying abroad, applying for a Fulbright scholarship, or declaring a world language major or minor | Letter of recommendation from the Haenicke Institute for Global Education |
*GEP Study abroad scholarship are repeatable – you can re-earn any of the statuses as well as the scholarships. However, scholarships are not stackable. Students can only redeem one GEP scholarship per study abroad experience. GEP scholarships can be combined with additional study abroad scholarships from HIGE and throughout WMU.
Global Engagement Status Details
To achieve the status of Global Bronco, students must attend a minimum of six designated events specified by GEP. These events are held frequently around campus, and all include an international component that furthers global engagement for participants. Examples of these events include the following:
- GEP-Organized Events: In addition to workshops, the GEP hosts social and educational events for students. These include guest speakers, international student socials, global engagement events, and more.
- Study Abroad Information Sessions: To promote global engagement and study abroad, students can attend a study abroad information session virtually, Monday through Friday. This is the first step to studying abroad and can be done immediately after freshman orientation. Sign-up today!
- Conversation Circles: Held weekly throughout the year, the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students (CELCIS) hosts Conversation Circles that create opportunities to explore new cultures and practice second languages for both domestic and international students.
- Designated Events on ExperienceWMU: gives students the chance to search for globally engaging events on campus that the GEP has tagged and vetted for the Global Bronco status. These include international guest speakers, international RSO events, and other cultural gatherings.
To get credit for attending any of the events above, students must swipe their Bronco ID at the event. This will mark attendance and progress in the Global Engagement Path on ExperienceWMU.
In addition to attending at least six of the events listed above, students who want to achieve Global Bronco will need to fulfill two of the following requirements:
- Attend a Mini-Cultural Festival: Held twice yearly on campus, the mini-cultural festival is an opportunity to mingle with students from around the world and exchange cultural traditions and stories.
- Attend the International Festival: Held once yearly at WMU, the International Festival is one of WMU's longest-running celebrations of international culture, food, and art, with live performances, fantastic cuisine, and more.
- Submit a Gilman Application: Students planning to study abroad can apply for the Gilman Scholarship Program. This a federal study abroad scholarship awarding up to $5,000 to students receiving Pell Grants that are going on a university study abroad program. Details for deadlines and eligibility are available here: /studyabroad/gilman.
- Volunteer Event Support: Students may also opt to provide volunteer support for a designated GEP event. Opportunities will be promoted through GEP for specific events held throughout the year.
- Help run an International Registered Student Organizations (RSO): By serving on the executive board (president/vice president/treasurer/secretary/etc.) of an approved international RSO, students gain valuable leadership and management experience that prepares them for any future role.
- Attend an International Bazaar: Held annually and run by the International Student Council, the International Bazaar offers cultural performances and delicious cuisine from WMU students!
To get credit for attending any of the events above, students must swipe their Bronco ID at the event. This will mark attendance and progress in the Global Engagement Path on ExperienceWMU. Some experiences, such as running an International RSO, need to be manually submitted by students in ExperienceWMU.
To achieve the status of Global Explorer, students must complete GIST 3100 (Global Studies in the Field). This course can be taken at any time during a student's undergraduate career and is an excellent way to prepare for studying abroad.
(FALL 2024, GIST 3100 is offered on , or )
In addition, students must complete one or more of the following:
- Global Classroom Experience: Completing a Global Classroom Experience gives students the opportunity to connect with students studying in other countries to compare educational systems, learning styles, and more. These experiences are organized and promoted by the Haenicke Institute and Global Engagement Program.
- Virtual Study Abroad Program: Virtual Study Abroad Programs are offered digitally by WMU as a way to get an experience abroad while staying in Kalamazoo. A list of qualifying virtual study abroad programs can be found .
- World Language Class: Students who complete any World Language course at or above the 2000 level will meet this requirement.
- GEP-Approved Course: Students who complete a course with an international component that serves to further global engagement will meet this requirement. For a complete list of 75+ qualifying courses, please reach out to us at @email. If a student is taking a course they think meets these criteria and is not on the list, they can submit it for review and possible inclusion by contacting us.
- Global Learning in the USA: Essentially a domestic alternative to study abroad trips, this is an opportunity for students to engage with new cultures without leaving the United States. Trips are organized and promoted by the Haenicke Institute and Global Engagement Program.
- Apply for a Critical Language Scholarship (CLS): This is a scholarship offered by the U.S. Department of State. It provides an immersive summer opportunity for students to learn languages essential to America's engagement with the world. Details about the scholarship, including eligibility and deadlines, are available at . Students must self-submit this accomplishment on ExperienceWMU once the application has been submitted.
- Attend a Model U.N./Leadership Conference: Students who participate in a Model U.N. or similar leadership conference can self-submit their information on ExperienceWMU. Once accepted, this requirement will be fulfilled.
To achieve the status of Global Citizen, students must fulfill two of the following requirements:
- Study Abroad: Students who complete any study abroad program verified by the Office of Study Abroad fulfill this requirement. Check out WMU's 90+ programs now or schedule an information session today.
- Complete Research on a Global Topic: Conducting research on a global topic is offered through the Haenicke Institute as a way for students to complete advanced research from a globally engaged perspective. Students must submit their intention to conduct this research to the Global Engagement Program.
- Declare a World Language Major/Minor: By formally declaring a major or minor in any world language through their advisor, students meet this requirement.
- Complete an International Internship: Students who complete any international internship are encouraged to submit this in ExperienceWMU. Once a GEP staff member has certified and approved the experience, it will fulfill this requirement.
- Submit a Fulbright Application: The Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers fellowships for graduating college seniors, graduate students, young professionals and artists from the United States to study, conduct research or to serve as an English teaching assistant abroad for one academic year. In addition, Critical Language Enhancement Awards are available to grantees for study of critical-need foreign languages before or concurrently with their grant period. Applications are due roughly one year prior to the program beginning. Therefore, students considering this should apply at the beginning of their senior/final year at WMU. Applications are typically due in September. More information: /fulbright/students.
- Submit a Boren Application: The Boren Program offers major funding opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to focus on geographic areas, languages, and fields of study that are critical to U.S. interests and that are underrepresented in study abroad programs. Applications are typically due at the beginning of the spring semester and require advisor support to complete. More information: /studyabroad/boren.