Meet the Global Scholars

Allison

Allison, SIS/BA '14

It is ironic, in a way, that I knew I wanted to be a Global Scholar the minute I heard about the program, considering I had lived sixteen out of my seventeen years in the US., and was therefore not very global. After living in France for one year, I knew I wanted to study and work in international relations. And here was an accelerated program that promised exactly what I needed to get there – special classes and attention, summer study abroad opportunities, a community of peers – and all in Washington D.C.! But after two wonderful semesters at American University, I embarked on a new adventure and decided to study abroad. I went to study abroad in Cambridge for the summer and Brussels for the fall. In Cambridge, I saw first-hand how academics on the far side of the pond really regard emerging threats to global security. Brussels, on the other hand, has been completely different, but also an incredible experience. Here I spend half my week learning all about the European Union, and the other half I spend getting practical experience with EU contracts. I have always been fascinated by diplomacy in international relations in the context of conflict, and it has been truly extraordinary to see how real an effect the European Union institutions have had on peace in the region. But even after my fantastic time studying abroad, I cannot wait to get back to life at American University - my clubs, sorority sisters, and of course, my lovely fellow Global Scholars!

Anjali

Anjali, SIS/BA '15

Being a part of the Global Scholars program is a huge honor for me. I was drawn to this program not only because of its high academic standards, but also because of the incredible opportunities that Global Scholars have both in DC and also internationally. As an international citizen, I have always felt that being aware of inter-country social, environmental, economic, and cultural relations are critical to understanding the way the world functions around us. After spending a year abroad both in India and England after high school, I was excited to become a part of a community of other international citizens who were just as excited about making a difference as I was. In India specifically, I worked at a school in Jodhpur that educates children who have disabilities due to polio. These disabled children are ostracized by their villages and kicked out of their homes simply because of their physical conditions. Our main goal is to ensure that these children have equal education opportunities as students who do not suffer from physical disabilities. Though the rest of my work during my gap year was fascinating, my experience in India inspired and empowered me to pursue an education in international service. I was so excited when I met the rest of the Global Scholars – they were just as inspired and energetic as I felt!

Brock

Brock, SIS/BA '14

Originally, I wasn’t sure about applying to the Global Scholars Program; completing a BA in three years just seemed like too great of a feat to accomplish. However, once I was accepted and truly began to realize how unique this program is (and how much it was going to save me financially), I decided to put my trust in the program and see what it had to offer. Little did I know the Global Scholars Program would go on to far exceed even my wildest expectations. The program faculty members deeply and actively care about the needs, interests, concerns and general well-being of the students. This support, together with the warm community atmosphere, are my two favorite things about the program. This past summer, I had the opportunity through the Global Scholars Program to travel with a small cohort of Global Scholar students to Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands, and Costa Rica to study international environmental politics and international development. This was truly a trip of a lifetime! Next semester, I’ll be presenting an international relations research paper that I completed last semester in a Global Scholars section of an introductory research course at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research with Professor Knight as my faculty mentor. It is such a great opportunity to be able to have the support of the Global Scholar Program not only in pursuing my unique research interests, but also in the presentation of this research on a national level. I will also be interning downtown next semester at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in the Development office. Overall, I in no way feel rushed or cheated out of the college experience. Actually, being part of the Global Scholars Program and through the program’s support, I am able to experience more from college than I could ever imagine!

Yuyang

Yuyang, SIS/BA '15

As an international student from China, studying in a university in the United States is a big move in my life. However, when I received my admission letter and found out that I was accepted to the Global Scholars Program, I chose American University without hesitation. The Global Scholars Program is far more than a three-year BA program. It gathers a group of ambitious students who come from various backgrounds, yet share a similar passion for bringing about positive changes to our world. As part of the Global Scholars Program, I have access to exclusive Study Abroad Programs and foundation courses, support from the faculty in designing my three-year study plan, as well as various additional activities outside the classroom that give me real world applications in the field of International Relations. As a Global Scholar, I have the opportunity to design and decide my own educational path. I picked this unique program to help pave my future, and I know it is going to be a fantastic three years here!

Become a Global Scholar

To find out more about admissions requirements and the application process, visit the Global Scholars Application page.

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