Global Engagement Opportunities

Building Cultural Connections On-Campus and in the Community

The Global Engagement Office provides many opportunities for students, staff, and faculty to connect with international students on campus and out in the Greensboro community. If you have questions about any programs listed below, please contact [email protected]. 

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International Peer Advisor Liaison (i-PAL) program

The International Peer Advisor Liaison (i-PAL) program is co-sponsored by the International Student Association (ISA) and the Student Government Association (SGA) at UNCG. iPALs is intended to foster a deeper sense of belonging within our international student populations and provide a fun way to enhance intercultural competencies for all student participants. 

This program is designed to help new international students get acclimated to our campus, surrounding community, and better understand the expectations in the U.S. classroom.  iPals are key to providing a welcoming environment for other international students at orientation and throughout the academic year. 

There are two ways to participate: 

1. iPAL Student Mentor: this role is for continuing students (citizens and non-citizens are eligible), who wish to support incoming international students prior to their arrival to the United States and throughout their first semester on our campus 
2. IPAL Student Mentee: this role is restricted to new international student participants at both the undergraduate and graduate levels who will be enrolling for their first semester at UNCG 

If you’re interested in becoming an iPAL mentor or mentee, contact [email protected] for next steps. 

GLOBAL SOLUTIONS CONVERSATIONS (GSC)  

During Global Solutions Conversations, community college and university students from the United States and university students from Jordan and Iraq meet live in binational groups to discuss global challenges inspired by the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Through a six-week virtual exchange series consisting of six binational calls, students will practice cross cultural collaboration and learn about each other’s culture as they engage in the process of design thinking and discuss global issues in their community. 

What is it? Global Solutions Conversations is a six-week virtual exchange conversation series. 

Who is this program for? The program is for community college and university students in the US and university students in Jordan and Iraq. 

What is required? Participants attend six Zoom sessions with your binational groups. No work outside the calls is required. 

What will occur during the calls? Engage in a conversation with a student group from another country and learn about another culture, discuss sustainability in your community, and practice the human centered design process. 

When will this occur? The binational calls occur weekly during February to April each year. Apply by January 15 here.

I-HOUSE 

The International House—or I-House, as it is most commonly called—is home to students from all over the globe, including those from the U.S. I-House is located in the Tower Village Residence Hall. It is a residential community with an international twist! Built European-style (single rooms with shared common areas), I-House is open to all students (freshmen to graduate students) with a particular interest in learning from and living with people from other parts of the world. 

For more information, please visit Housing & Residence Life. 

International Coffee Hours

In conjunction with the International Students Association and the iPALs, GEO hosts international coffee hours throughout the semester to offer space for intercultural connections and community building for international students, visiting scholars, and anyone interested in learning more about all things global at UNCG! Some coffee hours will feature presentations by UNCG students, staff, or faculty about a specific country or culture, while other sessions are open for general discussion and networking. Visit the GEO events calendar to view upcoming topics for international coffee hours each semester. 

Have questions or need more information? Contact [email protected]!