Global Scholars

The Global Scholars Program provides students with guidance and support as they pursue their own student-designed learning experiences. Students participate in a year-long program, beginning with the Spring Theory Course (Jan-May), centering on the summer experience, and ending with the Fall Reflection Course (Aug-Dec) and presentation at the Global Scholars Showcase in early December.

While the program encourages international travel, students can opt to alternatively complete an experience remotely or within the US. The program then retains its strong ‘global’ focus by helping students situate their internship and research experiences in relation to broader global issues, interconnections, and histories.

The Global Scholars Program does not directly sanction these student-designed learning experiences. Rather, the Global Scholars Program provides community, accountability, curriculum, and a structure for ongoing intellectual inquiry as students pursue experiences that align with their own interests, goals, budgets, and timelines. As such, the program provides a uniquely accessible and affordable pathway through which FSU students can engage with independent opportunities for learning and professional development.

The associated costs for participating in this program will be the fee for 2 credit hours (maximum), one respectively for the theory and reflection courses, as well as any costs incurred with student-designed respective experience. FSU will offer experiential grants to projects based off of applicants' need and submission of funding application materials. For example, Global Scholars may be awarded the Global Peace Exchange (GPE) Fellowship and receive up to $1,000, provided they are:

• Working toward a major or minor within FSU's College of Social Science and Public Policy (COSSPP)
• Planning an international service-learning experience in the Global South to be completed as their independent, summer experience

Fees such as external program fees (depending on your choice of summer experience) and cost of living must be paid by the Global Scholar. The theory course will focus how to develop a budget to make sure that Global Scholars are aware of these costs. Additional support will be provided by the Program Manager and Ambassadors to help participants identify other streams of funding.

Upon completion of the program, students will receive 0-1 academic credits for the theory and reflection courses each. During the summer, students may earn additional credit (up to 6) in the form of internships or a Directed Individual Study. Additionally, through the Career Center's Experience Recognition Program, students may receive additional transcript notation or a certificate of completion.

Global Scholars pursue community-informed research projects that explore the complexities of engaging with the world through research. In this program, you can expect to dive deeper into the theories and ethics of research and development, sharpen your analytical and professional skills, and develop your toolkit for research and impact by designing and executing a unique Capstone project. 

The Spring Theory Course serves as the preparation for departure. Topics covered will include:

• Theories of globalization and global development
• Strategies for identifying and solidifying a summer experience
• Ethics of research and community engagement
• Introduction to qualitative research methods
• Research proposal crafting
• Travel requirements and considerations (per FSU policy)
• Project management and budgeting
• Professional development in the context of research and community engagement

In the summer, rather than enrolling in a course, the cohort will self-direct their independent experiences while collecting field data. Structure will include required check points with the Program Manager and Ambassadors, such as periodic meetings, blog submissions, and a progress report. 

Upon returning in the fall, the cohort will enroll in the Fall Reflection Course, where data collected will be analyzed and synthesized into a cohesive Capstone project. Traditionally, research is reported in an academic paper or article. However, the program encourages students to consider alternative forms of information dissemination, such as video essays, interactive websites, or other community-informed artifacts like organizational toolkits or program evaluations. The fall course will also challenge students to articulate the value of their experience for future academic and professional opportunities, such as internships, fellowships, and graduate programs.