Students dancing in colorful clothing

Global Understanding

Global Opportunities

When we welcome new ways of thinking and seeing the world, we grow more connected. When we seek out differences and experiences beyond our immediate reach, we bring the bigger picture that much closer. When we approach an academic community through a global lens, we become better able to navigate the world’s complexities.

  • Students celebrating Holi on campus

    View Life through a Global Lens

    See the Bigger Picture.

    To navigate the complexities of the world, you must first open yourself up to what’s around you. International students and students of color make up around half of our students. The majority of students study off campus during their academic career. In other words, our students come from all over and strive to create a campus that fosters inclusivity and celebrates our differences.

    Our Institute for Global Engagement advances Grinnell’s Global Education Learning Goals by facilitating collaboration across academic departments, centers, and programs to promote international learning and research.

    Our International Student Affairs is a resource for any things you might need to settle in and questions you may have, all specifically tailored to our international students.

  • Gallery of flags

    Off-Campus Study

    Grinnellians learn everywhere.

    Whatever your interests, you’ll find a dynamic range of programs that complement and extend your liberal arts education into other global contexts. As you live in a different society and interact with other cultures, you’ll forge new relationships, form new understandings, and acquire new ways of seeing the world. Take a look at Grinnell-in-London, or explore how our financial aid and credit policies make off-campus study more accessible. Our internal approval process, supported by faculty advisers and off-campus study staff, will help you choose a program that matches your academic goals.

  • Students and Professor working together

    Global Learning Program

    See the world, starting in your first year.

    In the fall of your first year, you’re eligible to apply for the Global Learning Program (GLP)  through the Institute for Global Engagement. These tutorials explore specific themes in a semester-long spring course. You’ll learn from a pair of Grinnell faculty on campus and travel with them internationally to two or more countries for a total of three to four weeks. The GLP course takes place during spring semester. The travel occurs either all at once in the summer, or in multiple segments, such as for the duration of Grinnell’s two-week spring break, plus a summer portion.

  • Students and Professor working together

    Center for Languages and Intercultural Communication

    Expand your lexicon and your outlook.

    Grinnellians are students of the world. If you believe that language opens the mind to diverse cultures and perspectives different from your own, then you’ll feel at home here. In addition to exceptionally strong language majors, you can take advantage of language immersion opportunities such as group dining and even housing arrangements. In addition, the Center for Languages and Intercultural Communication is available to study, relax between classes, and meet up with tutors or language assistants.

7th
Among national liberal arts colleges for number of international students, according to U.S. News and World Report
20%
of Grinnell students are non-U.S. citizens
70+
languages spoken on campus

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