FSU's Global Citizenship Certificate Fosters Global-Ready Graduates

FSU's Global Citizenship Certificate prepares students for the new challenges of living and working in an increasingly globalized world by providing opportunities for learning both inside and outside of the classroom. The certificate requirements include four academic courses, a sustained international or intercultural experience, and attending eight or more intercultural events.

The certificate helps students develop a global mindset and gain an understanding of global issues and an increased awareness and appreciation of cultural differences resulting in the confidence to interact successfully in a diverse workforce.

FSU senior Chanelle Dupuis said that she now better understands other cultures and learned how to become a global citizen. "I was exposed to many new ways of thinking and new perspectives on the world," Dupuis said. "I believe this exposure has shaped me as an individual and helped me in my research and other classes."

Dupuis studies French and Spanish, and her research about endangered languages in Brazil and Ecuador was recently published in Amazônia Latitude, an international, environmental humanities publication. She started this project in Fall 2018 during the certificate's capstone course, in which students develop individual research projects using theories and concepts learned throughout the certificate. Students then present their projects at the FSU Undergraduate Research Symposium or Fall Research Day.

To fulfill her sustained experience requirement, Dupuis participated in the Beyond Borders Germany program. Students in the program first welcome international students from Jamaica or Germany to FSU's campus; take a one-credit hour course during the spring semester; and then travel to either Kingston, Jamaica, during Spring Break 2019, or Dresden, Germany, for three weeks following the spring semester. FSU students are hosted by the same international students and explore the local culture by visiting museums, historical sites and memorials, attending local festivals, sporting events, and more.

"My courses and the events I attended made me more aware of my actions and thoughts," Dupuis said. "This helped me when I went to Germany because I was better able to understand cultural differences and how to respond to these differences. Most importantly, the Global Citizenship Certificate helped me learn to reflect upon my experiences. I kept a journal during my travels to Germany and was able to mark down the cultural differences that I perceived."

In addition, the certificate meets several of FSU's liberal studies requirements, and students can receive a transcript notation demonstrating to future employers and graduate schools that they are prepared for today's global society.

“Through all of these experiences, the Global Citizenship Certificate helps us build and foster a culturally rich learning environment for all of our students,” said Dr. Elçin Haskollar, Program Director for the certificate. “It expands experiential, cross-cultural and collaborative learning opportunities; it promotes interaction and understanding among students of all cultures; and it helps us develop a globally-minded FSU community.”

Interested students should attend an information session, which are held every Tuesday at 11 a.m. and every Friday at 1 p.m. in The Globe (GME Building) Room 2300 or visit cge.fsu.edu/globalcitizen for more information.