Get Involved | Florida Gulf Coast University

Begin A lifetime of Global Learning

There are many ways to start your journey, from serving as a cultural representative to participating in international programming. If volunteering abroad is part of your plan, our exclusive Peace Corps Prep Program is a good first step.

GEO Ambassador Program

The GEO Ambassador Program (also known as Eagle I Ambassador Program) provides opportunities for international students to learn more about college life here in the U.S. through friendship with a current FGCU student while helping current students expand their education through interaction with students from abroad. These relationships enhance cultural awareness and global learning.

EIA Photo

Program Goals
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- Enhance cross-cultural understanding and awareness among all students
- Develop cross-cultural skills for all participants
- Facilitate global awareness and learning
GEO Ambassador Role
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Program Expectations
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- Commit to one year of involvement/interaction with an international student beginning in the summer
- Communicate with international students over the summer to share information about FGCU and Southwest Florida
- Assist with new international student pre-arrival information and their arrival/introduction to campus (this requires your presence on campus several days before the start of each semester)
- Collaborate with a group of 2-4 Eagle I Ambassadors
- Organize 1 mixer with your Eagle I Ambassador group
- Participate with international students in a minimum of 4 non-classroom activities per semester (International Reception, local special events, university activities, Diversity & Inclusion Program etc)
- Support international students in their transition to living/learning at FGCU and in the U.S.
- Room with an international student if available
- Invite and involve international students in holidays, outings, family events, etc.
- Communicate/interact with international students at least every 3 weeks
- Represent Eagle I Program as requested at university/community events (Eagle Expo, local speaking requests, international events, etc.)
- Participate in all required training sessions (2-4 hours/year)
Benefits
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- Learn about another country and culture
- Make global friendships
- Develop cross-cultural leadership skills with a diverse group of students
- Expand your world knowledge and experience
- Earn service-learning hours
Application and Selection Process
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- Please complete the online application
- Students who are pre-selected will receive an e-mail to schedule an interview.
- Following the interview, students who are selected will be added to the GEO Ambassador group chat on WhatsApp.
- All GEO ambassadors will participate in a training before starting to contact their mentees (international students).
- After the ambassadors are added to another group chat with their assigned students. In this group chat students can introduce themselves and ask questions to their ambassador.
- Once the semester starts, Ambassadors should meet with their mentees in person and help with their transition to living in the US.

International Organization

The International Organization aims to bring awareness and understanding of global perspectives and cultures through programs, events and socials. We do this by integrating our international students into campus life and creating a space where international experiences can be shared. Join the International Organization club: Eagle Link Contact Us

Peace Corps Prep Program

Your FGCU experience can get you ready for fieldwork abroad

About the Peace Corps Prep Program
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Peace Corps Prep provides students with knowledge, experience, skills, and mentorship needed to prepare students for service in the Peace Corps. It serves as an additional, optional credential for undergraduate students, preparing them in core areas and competencies emphasized by the Peace Corps and potentially* offering an advantage in the Peace Corps application process. The 4 core areas and competencies are:
1. Training and experience in a specific work sector based on major
2. Foreign language proficiency
3. Intercultural competencies
4. Professional and leadership development
*Program Disclaimer: Completing the Peace Corps Prep program does not obligate a student to serve in the Peace Corps nor does it guarantee acceptance as a Peace Corps Volunteer. The many factors considered in the selection and placement of a successful Peace Corps applicant include the individual qualifications vis-à-vis the needs of the position, the other candidates applying, and background and health screenings of each candidate. While acceptance is not guaranteed, the Peace Corps Prep Certificate offers a likely advantage when competing with other qualified candidates

Peace Corps Website
Application Process
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- Must be in good standing to apply
- Fall Deadline: July 1st
- Spring Deadline: December 1st
Submit your Application

Review the FGCU Peace Corps Prep Student Guide

Applications are reviewed after the deadlines, applicants will be contacted.
Peace Corps Prep Requirements
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Please thoroughly review this guide before applying to the program

1. Training and experience in a specific work sector

Students should take at least three courses that build their capacity to work in one of the following sectors. Additionally, they should accumulate a minimum of 50 hours of volunteer or work experience in that same sector, preferably in a teaching or outreach capacity.
- Education
- Health
- Environment
- Agriculture
- Youth in Development
- Community Economic Development
2. Foreign language skills

Students should hone their capacity to interact professionally using a non-English language. PC Prep minimum course requirements vary by desired placement region.
- Latin America: Individuals wanting to serve in Spanish-speaking countries must apply with strong intermediate proficiency, having completed two 200-level courses or learned Spanish through another medium.
- West Africa: Individuals wanting to serve in French-speaking African countries should be proficient in French or another Romance Language, having completed one 200-level course or learned the language through another medium.
- Everywhere else: The Peace Corps recommends but has no explicit language requirements for individuals applying to serve in most other countries.
3. Intercultural competence

Students should deepen their intercultural competence through a mix of three self-reflective courses focused on diversity and inclusion or the study of marginalized groups.
- Prolonged intercultural experiences—such as studying/volunteering abroad, supporting new Americans/immigrants in the community, or teaching in diverse schools—may partially fulfill this requirement.
4.      Professional and leadership development

Students should hone their professional skills through at least three activities:

1.      Have their resume critiqued by someone in Career Development Services

2.      Attend a workshop or class on interview skills with Career Development Services

3.      Develop at least one significant leadership experience. For example, organizing a campus event, leading a work or volunteer project, or serving on the executive board of a student organization.

Primary Contact

Dr. Dechen Albero

Assistant Director, Study Abroad (Outbound Mobility)

239-590-1494
239-590-7212

mmcdonal@fgcu.edu

Peace Corps Prep Program News in FGCU360

Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL)

FGCU is launching an initiative for collaborative online international learning, more commonly referred to as COIL, in an attempt to integrate an emerging curriculum into existing FGCU courses on a cross-disciplinary scale. The initiative focuses on Globally Networked Learning (GNL); a teaching and learning methodology which provides innovative cost-effective internationalization strategies. Such programs foster faculty and student interaction with peers abroad through co-taught multicultural online and blended learning environments emphasizing experiential student collaboration.

*Announcing the 2022-2023 COIL Faculty Fellow Program! - Submit Deadline March 14th

COIL Faculty Fellows Program - The Global Engagement office and the Lucas Center will provide faculty support in the development of COIL infused courses to be offered in academic year 2022-2023

How COIL works
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FGCU Faculty will partner with another instructor in a different region of the world to integrate student collaboration into syllabi and the planning of their relative courses. Faculty can locate partner instructors on their own, request assistance from FGCU International Services Office or utilize the SUNY COIL Global Partner Network. The amount of collaboration, the frequency of collaboration and the forms of collaboration with the global counterpart are flexible and determined by the partnered faculty. For example, although curricula will overlap in some way and most courses will be focused on similar topics, the two courses could potentially come out of different disciplines. Faculty could decide that to achieve learning outcomes several simultaneous sessions should be scheduled throughout the term. Or, it could be that students never meet in a simultaneous setting and instead collaborate on certain activities or assignments. Whatever the collaboration, it will involve technology in some form, it needs to be incorporated into the curricula and should be well planned. Ideal courses for the COIL initiative should have a global dimension that can be enhanced by multicultural inputs, perspectives and solutions.
Resources
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SUNY COIL

Florida International University’s Global Learning Podcast

Sample Projects

Virtual Exchange Coalition
Contact Information
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Jacueline Salmond, PhD.

GEO Fellow

Integrated Studies,College of Arts and Sciences

jsalmond@fgcu.edu

Dr.Michael McDonald

Chief International Officer & Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs

mmcdonal@fgcu.edu