Icing on the Cake of a Six Month Adventure
After a much needed reunion in August with the Study Abroad office and some of the students who also went abroad in the Spring 2013 semester, we were told that our experiences have put us in the perfect spot to add something unique to our graduation accomplishments, majors, and resumes: the Global Connections Certificate. This certificate has multiple components that center on the idea of global learning and making international connections.
The following description of the components was taken directly from the ASU Global Connections Certificate website:
“The Global Connections Certificate is available to all Appalachian State University students who meet a minimum of the following criteria:
- Foreign Language: Students must complete the equivalent of at least two years of sequential college level course work in foreign language (the equivalent of four courses or twelve credit hours).
- International Experience: Students must participate in an international service-learning program or in a short-term study abroad program in a location related to their language of study. These programs must involve at least one three-hour course.
- International Content: Students must take nine credit hours of “international content” course work in addition to the foreign language course work required above in #1. See the attached list for available courses. Students may consult the Global Studies focus areas for other international content courses: www.globalstudies.appstate.edu
- Community Service: Students must complete at least 40 hours of service or outreach related to diversity issues, multicultural issues, and/or study abroad experiences. Need ideas? Look here: www.volunteer.appstate.edu
- Reflection: Students will document their experiences in a portfolio that will include at least one final reflection paper (6-8 pages) specifically addressing the local and global connections of their experiences. The portfolio and final reflection paper will be submitted separately to the GLS curriculum committee for review.”
Looking over these requirements could be discouraging for someone who has not gone abroad, but for me, this looks like the perfect way to culminate my international experiences into something that will enhance my resumé.
For the requirements, I have completed everything except the portfolio, and I look forward to putting my international experiences together to create an interesting and informative way to share my experiences with other students interested in the certificate. This blog, together with some more specific Reflection questions will serve as my portfolio. As an effort to split up my answers into a more organized format, I have posted the questions below with links to the corresponding posts that explain my responses. To read a response, simply click on the linked text after each question, or browse through my posts at your leisure.
The questions:
- How do the international-related experiences (study abroad, foreign language) you have gained while pursuing the Global Connections Certificate complement and enhance your studies and life here at Appalachian? Read Response
- What were your perceptions about cultural values and norms at home and in other countries before you began your experiences? How have they changed as you finish the Certificate? Please include both general ideas and specific examples. Read Response
- Why do you think it is important for students to “internationalize” their studies and everyday lives? How will you continue to do so in the future? Read Response
- Reflect on your experiences abroad, coursework, co-curricular and volunteer activities. What are the common themes that connect these opportunities for you? How have they helped you understand the interconnectedness of the world and global affairs? Read Response
- How have the experiences and insights you have gained changed the way you see your own role in this global society? Read Response
Enjoy!
Gringa en Chile 
