Global Proficiency Program Boston College

What is the GP (Global Proficiency Program)?

 A certificate program for students interested in international and multicultural issues  Sponsored by the Office of International Students and Scholars and the Office of International Programs  The GP program is unique because it integrates and allows for reflection on many areas of a BC student’s life which could otherwise be isolated experiences

Goals of the GP Program To internationalize the campus by encouraging students to take international courses and engage in international activities To internationalize the campus by encouraging students to take international courses and engage in international activities To bridge the gap (for students and administrators) between academic and student affairs To bridge the gap (for students and administrators) between academic and student affairs To help students take a more holistic approach to learning and to integrate their various college experiences To help students take a more holistic approach to learning and to integrate their various college experiences To validate and reward students who have chosen to develop a global perspective by officially documenting and promoting their achievements To validate and reward students who have chosen to develop a global perspective by officially documenting and promoting their achievements

What are the Requirements?

Abroad Experience Abroad Experience Academics Academics Activities and Service Activities and Service Reflection Project Reflection Project

Abroad Experience A semester or year study abroad A semester or year study abroad Volunteer, service or immersion trip abroad Volunteer, service or immersion trip abroad Internship abroad Internship abroad

Academics Language Component Language Component -2 courses beyond requirement of their school (A&S, CSOM, etc.) - In any language at any level - In any language at any level - Languages courses may be taken abroad - Languages courses may be taken abroad

Academics Humanities Component Humanities Component -2 courses with an international or multicultural focus -2 courses with an international or multicultural focus Social Science, Education, Business Component Social Science, Education, Business Component -2 courses with an international or multicultural focus -2 courses with an international or multicultural focus  Must be taken at BC  Can also count for core and major requirements

Activities and Service 3 international or multicultural activities 3 international or multicultural activities 1 international or multicultural service activity 1 international or multicultural service activity Examples: Examples: -international service trip, ESL tutor, International Assistant, active member of intercultural club 1 activity (not the service) can be replaced by attending 5 events and lectures focused on global or multicultural issues 1 activity (not the service) can be replaced by attending 5 events and lectures focused on global or multicultural issues Monthly newsletter to inform students of many of these opportunities Monthly newsletter to inform students of many of these opportunities

Reflection Project Senior year Senior year Make connections between student’s experiences in all 3 aspects of the GP program Make connections between student’s experiences in all 3 aspects of the GP program Examples: Examples: - Presentation to class, club, friends - Website - Photo Journal - Article or editorial published in the school newspaper - Reflective essay

Why Should Students Complete the Global Proficiency Program?

Helps students to pay conscious attention to a range of experiences relating to their interest in international and multicultural issues Helps students to pay conscious attention to a range of experiences relating to their interest in international and multicultural issues Encourages students to integrate their interest in Encourages students to integrate their interest in international and multicultural issues into many aspects of their life at BC international and multicultural issues into many aspects of their life at BC Allows for reflection on their experiences Allows for reflection on their experiences Gives students a truer understanding of international issues, their own views, and themselves than participation in any isolated aspect of the program would allow for Gives students a truer understanding of international issues, their own views, and themselves than participation in any isolated aspect of the program would allow for Documents and certifies their accomplishments to graduate schools, employers, volunteer programs, etc. Documents and certifies their accomplishments to graduate schools, employers, volunteer programs, etc.

Graduates receive an official transcript outlining their experiences and achievements in the GP program. This is signed by BC’s Vice President of Student Affairs and the Provost Graduates receive an official transcript outlining their experiences and achievements in the GP program. This is signed by BC’s Vice President of Student Affairs and the Provost Resume-like and can be submitted in addition to a resume and cover letter, or graduate school application Resume-like and can be submitted in addition to a resume and cover letter, or graduate school application Makes student stand out as an exceptional applicant to prospective employers, internship opportunities, graduate schools, and volunteer positions Makes student stand out as an exceptional applicant to prospective employers, internship opportunities, graduate schools, and volunteer positions Official GP Transcript

What are students doing that have completed the GP Program? Fulbright Scholars Fulbright Scholars ESL Teachers ESL Teachers Peace-corps Volunteers Peace-corps Volunteers Investment Bankers Investment Bankers Doctors Doctors Working abroad Working abroad Graduate School Graduate School MUCH MORE!!!! MUCH MORE!!!!

The Global Proficiency Program beyond B.C. The BC Global Proficiency Program, established in 1999, was the first of its kind. The BC Global Proficiency Program, established in 1999, was the first of its kind. In 2006 the GP Program won the NASPA, Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, national award for best practices in campus based international programming. In 2006 the GP Program won the NASPA, Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, national award for best practices in campus based international programming. It has been used as a model at over 30 colleges and universities in the U.S. and abroad and is now being used as a model in high schools including the: It has been used as a model at over 30 colleges and universities in the U.S. and abroad and is now being used as a model in high schools including the: Needham High School Global Competence Program Needham High School Global Competence Program established in 2007 established in 2007