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GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT

To expand ARHU students' understanding of other cultures and languages in an increasingly global society, ARHU students must complete the "Global Engagement requirement" (GE requirement). Learning another language produces deep knowledge of cultural and linguistic differences while opening pathways for common understanding. 

Students who are proficient in a world language other than English will have the opportunity to demonstrate that in order to fulfill the GE requirement. Students who earn a Seal of Biliteracy through the State of Maryland will automatically fulfill the requirement; students who are native speakers will be able to take the World Language Placement in a proctored setting to complete the requirement. Students whose native language is not offered at UMD will also have an opportunity to demonstrate proficiency through an outside agency like ACTFL or Avant.

Satisfying the Global Engagement Requirement

Study of a World Language

Requirement: Students will take world language coursework at UMD according to their result on the World Language Placement. Please consult the ARHU website or an ARHU advisor for a list of the approved course sequences. 

All courses in the sequence can be taken Pass-Fail (regular registration deadlines and policies will apply). Notes: First semester students and students on academic probation/dismissal are not eligible to take classes Pass-Fail; Students pursuing a major or minor in a language cannot take a class to be applied to the major/minor Pass-Fail. 

Options: 

  • Students can take courses to the designated level of one language (i.e. GERS 103 and 203)
  • Students can take one level of two different languages (i.e. ARAB 101 and FREN 103)

Please consult an ARHU advisor for a list of the required course sequences.

Cultural Immersion Through Study Abroad

Requirement: Students will participate in a semester-long study abroad experience in a country where English is not the primary language. A learning contract is required prior to departure. 

The study abroad experience must include: 

  • At least the first year/elementary level language of the host country before or during the experience (or equivalent as determined by the ARHU World Language Placement policy);
  • A reflection component that will challenge students to assess their pre-departure, in-country and post-study abroad experience;
  • Depending on the location, students will need to participate in one of the following pre-approved engagement experiences:
    • Internship (minimum 45 hours on site during the semester abroad)
    • Service Learning (minimum 45 hours of participation during the semester abroad)
    • A living situation involving daily interaction with host nationals during the term (e.g., a pre-approved home stay with a host national family)
    • Completion of a series of ELMS modules throughout the study abroad experience
    • Other - an engagement experience approved in advance of departure 

NOTE: Past study abroad experiences will not be considered retroactively.

Individually-designed Engagement Experience

Requirement: Students may also create an individually-designed experience that achieves the learning outcomes of the Global Engagement requirement. 

This option must include at least a first year/elementary level language course before or during the experience (or equivalent as determined by the ARHU World Language Placement policy). 

Options: 

  • A pre-approved short- or long-term study abroad program that has been deemed appropriate for inclusion in this option by ARHU in conjunction with the Education Abroad Office (a learning contract is required prior to departure); 

    Students proposing study abroad in an English-speaking country must choose to study a language that has significance to the historical or current culture of the host country (i.e. studying Gaelic in Scotland), in addition to finding an appropriate engagement activity where the language is emphasized. Students will need to research and discuss the intersection of the chosen language and culture in their learning contract.
     
  • Participation in/completion of the UMD Global Fellows Program

For more information, please see an advisor in the ARHU Office of Student Affairs, call 301-405-2108, or visit https://arhu.umd.edu/academics/advising/global-engagement/