Global Engagement
Written by Eli Matola
Culture influences and determines large portions of our lives.
The Global Engagement Certificate program teaches students about cultures from around the world through various means. The first entails earning 20 credits from required courses. While eight credits must be foreign language credits (if English is a first language), the remaining 12 credits can be from an Anthropology or Sociology course, or any course which has an intercultural studies aspect.
Photo courtesy of the Global Engagement Facebook page.
The second means is a hands-on international/intercultural experience. Such an experience may feature a two-week trip abroad or engagement with the Hilo community. For the third, certificate requirements ask that students participate in at least five intercultural-themed events within Hilo. The final means is a portfolio and presentation.
Leslie McClung, a University of Hawaii at Hilo alumni who graduated with a Communication degree and Global Engagement Certificate, discussed how it was to go through the certification process. She states that participating in the program has made her a totally different and more aware person. For the second portion of the process, McClung chose to live in South Korea for a semester.
She asserts the trip abroad increased her cultural awareness. “As anybody who has lived abroad can tell you, it changes everything,” she adds. The experience allowed her to perceive the world in a more interconnected way. According to her, this trip enhanced her cultural sensitivity and understanding.
One of the most important points McClung took away from the program was the problem of women's rights. She explains that on her travels around South Korea, the lack of women’s privileges opened her eyes. The recognition galvanized the alumni to advocate for women's rights here at home and work at the Women's Center here on campus.
McClung’s experience with the Global Engagement Certificate program has been overwhelmingly positive, and she encourages other students to earn their certification as well. She mentions the program not only creates a holistic view of intercultural society, but looks good on resumes. The certificate has helped her enter the School of International Training in Vermont’s graduate institution.
Photo courtesy of Leslie McClung.
The certificate also expanded her experience with languages. McClung learned and became familiar with Korean while living in South Korea. To fulfill her language credit, she took Spanish. Indeed, she explains the program has made her feel more “culturally savvy and confident to communicate.”
The only advice she has for students considering the program is: “do it!”
McClung hopes to get into foreign service work when she completes her masters program.
For more information on the Global Engagement Certificate program, please contact Jim Mellon via mellon@hawaii.edu.
