Global Citizenship Project (GCP)

"Shenandoah University prepares individuals to be...ethical, compassionate citizens who are committed to making responsible contributions within a community, a nation and the world."

NEW! 2011 GCP participants announced

Global Citizenship Project (GCP)

The GCP was inspired by long-time friend and former trustee of Shenandoah University, Dr. Nancy Larrick Crosby, who charged the university to find a way to impact across the institution in some significant way and consistent with our mission. Dr. Crosby was a tireless advocate for literacy around the world. Her model for engaging communities in the global context set the stage for what inspires with our students and community today, the Global Citizenship Project.

GCP Key Components:

• GCP is an opportunity to travel abroad during spring break each year with an academic focus in a group-oriented and faculty-led experience
• 5-6 destinations are selected each year along with 5-6 very experienced faculty scholars to lead each group.
• The university removes all barriers to participation except for one - passion! Expenses are paid apart from incidentals, logistics are handled by the institution, and anxiety is reduced with group-oriented, faculty-guided travel.
• Full-time members of the university community - students, faculty as well as staff - submit streamlined applications that seek to identify those whose passion for the opportunity to learn abroad can be heard in a short essay (although not exclusively, the focus is on first-generation global travelers).
• Applicants do not know where they will be going each year and apply ready to be sent anywhere in the world (destinations not on the U.S. State Department warning list).
• Destinations are announced shortly after selection. Destination groups are formed with 11 participants each (seven students, two staff, and one faculty member plus the faculty scholar leading the group) representing the diversity of the institution on each trip.
• Frequently, a group may also be joined by a member of our board of trustees, who are very supportive of this program.
• Participants prepare for their travel experience through a series of workshops focusing on cultural understanding, destination-specific information, logistics for global travel and, most importantly, a unique theme chosen each year on which each group will focus during the preparations, travel and in workshop debriefing sessions.
• The experiences themselves follow many models based on the conditions of the destination but are clearly designed with an academic focus and people-to-people connections.
• Upon return, an intentional effort is made to stimulate dissemination of the experiences and lessons learned back into our various communities - on campus (through programs like Creative Scholarship Day), into the local community (through outreach programs into the schools as one example), and into student's home communities (through press release and media interviews).

The Global Citizenship Project has captured the spirit of Shenandoah in a very unique way. It is a program not found elsewhere and one about which most anyone on campus who has been here a while can tell you about. It makes an impact and has led to a significant increase of interest in other global learning opportunities - Global Experiential Learning, Mission Programs, Semester Abroad and Careers Abroad.

GCP History:

2005 - Theme: Citizenship

• Costa Rica
• India
• Mali
• Netherlands
• Taiwan

2006 - Theme: Power

• China
• Mexico
• South Africa
• Turkey
• United Arab Emirates

2007 - Theme: Identity

• Germany
• Lithuania
• Panama
• Singapore
• Tanzania
• Thailand

2008 - Theme: Time

• Argentina
• Denmark
• India
• Japan
• Ghana
• Morocco

GCP Recap:

WHAT?

Global Citizenship Project (GCP): A unique international travel and educational experience during spring break offered exclusively to selected students, staff, faculty and trustees of Shenandoah University and sponsored by the university!

WHO can apply from Shenandoah University?

• Full-time undergraduate students
• Full-time graduate students
• Full-time staff
• Faculty
• Shenandoah University trustees

In 2005 and 2006, 10 participants and one staff went to five different destinations: 55 travelers.

In 2007, one additional location was offered bringing the total to six destinations: 71 travelers.

In 2008, once again six different destinations were offered: 71 travelers

What will 2009 bring?

Note: Applicants with no or limited international travel experience will be highly considered.

Applicants must be committed to at least one additional year at Shenandoah University after returning from the project in order to educate the university students, the community and other communities about his/her experiences abroad.

WHY does the University offer this project? WHY should I apply?

An excerpt from the Shenandoah University mission statement explains:

"...Shenandoah University prepares individuals to be...ethical, compassionate citizens who are committed to making responsible contributions within a community, a nation and the world."

Among individuals: to promote mutual respect, understanding and peace

Among nations: to promote mutual respect, understanding and peace

To study how other countries, culturally and politically, prepare and shape their citizens to be active in their community and globally.

To open one's mind to the world and other opinions, views, lifestyles and culture.

To dare to step out of one's comfort zone and enter into a real global experience.

Shenandoah University is so passionate about being a campus that truly understands and promotes global thinking that it is willing to bare the majority of the expenses involved to allow as many selected students, staff and faculty as possible to experience, learn, grow and share in this unique travel opportunity.

Note: This project is not intended to be an isolated tour nor is it meant to be a restful vacation. It is intended to be hands-on, highly culturally involved, participatory group experience to be shared with others.

WHEN: Spring break

WHERE: ?? That's the BIG question!!! No one knows...yet!!!

Selection Process:

A qualified selection committee will decide the candidates that will be chosen based on the essays received by the announced deadline.

Once selected, each participant must be willing to go ANYWHERE they have been chosen to go in the world.

There will be monthly important meetings to attend up until departure to prepare participants for this adventure. Upon return, there are other social responsibilities to perform for being a participant.

Important Dates (updated specifics will be added to the website as deadlines approach):

September: promotional campaigns throughout the campus regarding GCP

Late September: application deadline

October: announcement of selected participants

November: announcement of selected destinations

HOW was GCP started?

Through a gift from Dr. Nancy Larrick Crosby, long-time friend and former trustee of the university, the Global Citizen Project (GCP) began during the 2004/2005 academic year. Over the years, students, faculty, staff and trustees have been fortunate to travel and experience life in many different countries around the world.

HOW can I afford it?

Thanks to trustee contributions Shenandoah University is able to cover most of the costs of this project. Travelers will be advised of the incidentals (i.e. securing a passport, any necessary visas and/or inoculations, personal purchases while traveling, etc.) for which they are responsible. Yes, you CAN afford to go!!!

Prospective candidate need to complete an application and write a simple essay in order to apply. Applications are available on line and in the International Cross-Cultural Center (ICC), located on the first floor of Cooley Hall. Please mail or bring in your applications to the same location.

HOW do I apply?

Applications will be available in September from the International Cross-Cultural Center (ICC) in Cooley Hall and on the Web.

WATCH for more information about then next GCP opportunity online, in the university newspaper, The SUN, and at campus events. Feel free to stop by the International Cross-Cultural Center (ICC) on the first floor of Cooley Hall for more information.

Jean C. Hayes - Global Education Assistant

Phone: (540) 665-5460
E-mail: jhayes@su.edu

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