Global Scholars Program
Engineering is becoming an increasingly global workplace that requires engineers with specific skills as well as broad perspectives. The Global Scholars program helps prepare engineering students for entry into the global engineering environment through in-class training, international experiences, and reflections on the role of engineers in the world economy.
Global Scholars Programs exist in the Colleges of Arts & Sciences, Business, and Engineering at Western New England. While the structure of each Global Scholars program is determined and overseen by the College in which the student is enrolled, all programs include the following core elements:- Introductory experience or course
- International study abroad
- Courses in international issues, area studies, or foreign languages
- Capstone experience, project, or course
Recognition
Students who successfully complete the Global Scholars Program will be recognized in the program at Commencement, and it will also be noted on their degree audit. Students must be in good academic standing to participate in the program and must have a minimum 3.0 GPA to graduate with Global Scholars recognition. The Coordinator of International Programs tracks student progress and reports to the Dean’s office when students successfully complete the program so it may be noted on their degree audit.
For College of Engineering Scholars
To earn the College of Engineering Global Scholars designation, a student must successfully complete the following:
- Prior to a study/work abroad experience, the student must complete Introduction to Global Engineering. This zero credit seminar meets 1 hour per week for the 15 week term (Spring or Fall, as needed), and may be submitted as a Learning Beyond the Classroom (LBC) experience. The seminar prepares engineering students to study or work abroad. Topics include culture shock, educational/professional culture, intercultural communication, self-awareness, and global current events.
- A study abroad experience, such as a traditional semester or summer study abroad experience, an international internship, or completion of a travel course offered by Western New England faculty. A list of current and recent travel courses are shown below:
- CUL 295 – A Study in Contrasts: Springfield and Reykjavik (Iceland)
- ILP 390 – Biological, Psychological, and Social Issues in Adolescence: Italy vs. the U.S. (Italy)
- ILP 230 – Business and the Global Environment (Czech Republic)
- ILP 238 – Global Health & Technology (Guatemala)
- ILP 250 – AIDS: A Global Pandemic (Southern Africa)
- Summer London Programs
- ART 212/HIST 212 – London Through the Ages
- CUL 290/SO 290 – Punks and Hooligans: Culture in the US & UK
- POSC 290/COMM 290 – British Press and Politics
- ILP 290 – Football without Helmets: British Sports & Economics
- 3 credits of additional coursework involving global issues or foreign language. Examples are shown below:
- POSC 101 – Introduction to Contemporary Global Issues
- HIST 105/106 – World Civilization I, II
- GEOG 101 – World Geography
- Spanish – SPAN 101, 102, 203, 204, 305, 306
- French – FR 101, 102, 203, 204
- Extension of senior design project to include reflection on the connections between their international experiences, their capstone project, and their future career interests. This reflection can take the form of either a written document or a presentation at a showcase to be held near the end of the Spring semester of the student’s senior year.