Global Proficiency Program

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• Global Proficiency Program
• Boston College
• www.bc.edu/gp
• global_at_bc.edu

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What is the GP (Global Proficiency Program)?
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• A certificate program for students interested in
  international and multicultural issues
• Sponsored by the Office of International Students
  and Scholars and the Office of International
  Programs
• The GP program is unique because it integrates
  and allows for reflection on many areas of a BC
  students life which could otherwise be isolated
  experiences

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Goals of the GP Program

• To internationalize the campus by encouraging
  students to take international courses and engage
  in international activities
• To bridge the gap (for students and
  administrators) between academic and student
  affairs
• To help students take a more holistic approach to
  learning and to integrate their various college
  experiences
• To validate and reward students who have chosen
  to develop a global perspective by officially
  documenting and promoting their achievements

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What are the Requirements?
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• Abroad Experience
• Academics
• Activities and Service
• Reflection Project

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Abroad Experience

• A semester or year study abroad
• Volunteer, service or immersion trip abroad
• Internship abroad

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Academics

• Language Component
• -2 courses beyond requirement of their school
  (AS, CSOM, etc.)
• - In any language at any level
• - Languages courses may be taken abroad

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Academics

• Humanities Component
• -2 courses with an international or
  multicultural focus
• Social Science, Education, Business Component
• -2 courses with an international or
  multicultural focus
• Must be taken at BC
• Can also count for core and major requirements

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Activities and Service

• 3 international or multicultural activities
• 1 international or multicultural service activity
• Examples
• -international service trip, ESL tutor,
  International Assistant, active member of
  intercultural club
• 1 activity (not the service) can be replaced by
  attending 5 events and lectures focused on global
  or multicultural issues
• Monthly newsletter to inform students of many of
  these opportunities

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Reflection Project

• Senior year
• Make connections between students experiences in
  all 3 aspects of the GP program
• Examples
• - Presentation to class, club, friends
• - Website
• - Photo Journal
• - Article or editorial published in the school
  newspaper
• - Reflective essay

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Why Should Students Complete the Global
Proficiency Program?
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• Helps students to pay conscious attention to a
  range of experiences relating to their interest
  in international and multicultural issues
• Encourages students to integrate their interest
  in
• international and multicultural issues into
  many aspects of their life at BC
• Allows for reflection on their experiences
• Gives students a truer understanding of
  international issues, their own views, and
  themselves than participation in any isolated
  aspect of the program would allow for
• Documents and certifies their accomplishments to
  graduate schools, employers, volunteer programs,
  etc.

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Official GP Transcript

• Graduates receive an official transcript
  outlining their experiences and achievements in
  the GP program. This is signed by BCs Vice
  President of Student Affairs and the Provost
• Resume-like and can be submitted in addition to a
  resume and cover letter, or graduate school
  application
• Makes student stand out as an exceptional
  applicant to prospective employers, internship
  opportunities, graduate schools, and volunteer
  positions

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(No Transcript)
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What are students doing that have completed the
GP Program?

• Fulbright Scholars
• ESL Teachers
• Peace-corps Volunteers
• Investment Bankers
• Doctors
• Working abroad
• Graduate School
• MUCH MORE!!!!

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The Global Proficiency Program beyond B.C.

• The BC Global Proficiency Program, established in
  1999, was the first of its kind.
• In 2006 the GP Program won the NASPA, Student
  Affairs Administrators in Higher Education,
  national award for best practices in campus based
  international programming.
• It has been used as a model at over 30 colleges
  and universities in the U.S. and abroad and is
  now being used as a model in high schools
  including the
• Needham High School Global Competence Program
• established in 2007