This departmental requirement is the HIED program alternative to a foreign language requirement. It is intended to assist students in developing a holistic perspective of higher education through knowledge of its internal and external constituents, as well as to understand the interests and concerns of the global community. By meeting this requirement, students will demonstrate an understanding of one or more non-U.S. cultures and their effects on postsecondary education.

CSP and HIED students and faculty in England on the 2007 Great Britain Study Tour.

1. Independent or directed study of a particular culture or the influences of that culture on postsecondary education. The perspective could be historical, sociological, religious, economic, or cultural.
   
2. A course in comparative education, an internship, study abroad, or language study that shows the influences of that culture on postsecondary education. If a student chooses to pursue the internship or study abroad option, he or she much immerse himself or herself in that culture for at least one month.
   
3. An oral presentation for various audiences that would integrate art, music, film, or other cultural expressions is required upon project completion. Students may fulfill the requirement by taking a course for credit, integrating their work into existing courses, or an alternative means of demonstration. Creativity and ingenuity are encouraged. Students who enroll in the Comparative Higher Education Course meet this requirement through an in-depth research project and an in-class presentation.

Students who are citizens of another country must demonstrate understanding of a culture's impact on postsecondary education in a culture other than their own. Students who enter the program with a foreign language proficiency may apply their knowledge of that language to the project, but must do so in a way that demonstrates an understanding of the ways in which a culture impacts postsecondary education.

Students are encouraged to begin this process as early as possible in consultation with their advisor in the first semester of attendance. The student will be expected to present the project at a meeting of the program faculty, who may ask that the student modify the proposal. Once the plan is approved by the faculty, the student will work with her or his program advisor to complete the project. The advisor will make the final determination about the acceptability of the work submitted. The project must be approved and completed prior to the preliminary exams.

Global Understanding Internships
Our students have traveled and studied throughout the world as a part of our Global Understanding requirements. The following links share information from some of the students who have taken advantage of this opportunity. Several individual pages have been created by former travellers containing highlights of their adventures and we welcome you to peruse them as inspiration for your own travels.

Cathy Swick - France (2005)
Tamara Rice - New Zealand (2005)
Bob Stowe - Australia (2002)
Sally Jackson - Ukraine (2002)
Janice Gerda - Ireland (2002) unofficial GU#2
Cheryl Conley - England (2001)
Andrew Rivers - Scotland (2001)
Janice Gerda - Bulgaria (2000)
Gretchen Lohman - Scotland (2000)
Bill Arnold - Botswana (1999)
Rena Murphy - Scotland (1999)

Other former travelers have visited the following countries: Benin, Russia, England, Scotland, France, Mexico, Canada, Ghana, Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, and Germany. Another option is to register for CSP 695: United Kingdom Study Tour and complete an additional project or internship in conjunction with the course.

Resources for a Global Understanding Internship
We have compiled the following list of resources for students who are considering a Global Understanding Internship:

Website StudyAbroad.com - especially check out their Handbook
NASPA's International Exchange Program
Lonely Planet Travel Guides
Rough Guides Travel Guides
International Student Identity Card (and discounts, insurance, free e-mail, etc.) available at BGSU's Center for International Programs
Currency exchange rates at XE.com
Check out potential health issues at the Centers for Disease Control or the World Health Organization
Check out travel advisories from the US State Department
Join the International Student Travel Confederation (ISTC)
Try working while abroad to defray expenses - Council on International Educational Exchange
Just in case... Western Union Money Transfer
For more planning, try Travelocity
Learn basic phrases in an Eastern European language