Global Learning Program visits with non-governmental organization in Ceuta, Spain

Global Learning Program

First-year students: In your fall semester, apply for the Global Learning Program.

Made possible through the generous gift from Susan McCurry ’71 and the Holden Family Foundation, the Global Learning Program (GLP) courses for first-year students are spring semester-long courses that explore specific themes on global issues. The courses are interdisciplinary, so you’ll learn from a pair of Grinnell faculty from different areas of expertise. Then, as a group, the GLP culminates with field-based learning in least two countries, regions, or ecosystems around the world for a total of 3+ weeks during spring or summer break.

The GLP allows participants to:

  • explore new cultures and places
  • gain new perspectives
  • discover personal and social responsibility
  • acquire essential skills (such as adaptability, flexibility, and problem-solving)
  • enhance the Grinnell College experience through engaged global learning

Program Details

Cost — One obligatory program fee is charged to participant’s account and is based on student need. The GLP is heavily subsidized, so generous scholarships are available. And the program is geared toward first-years who have not had many opportunities to travel. 

Prerequisites — The first-year GLP tutorials have no prerequisites.

Duration — The course is one semester long and the global site visits total about three weeks.

Time of year — The GLP on-campus portion takes place spring semester. The travels could take place at one time in the summer or be broken into multiple segments, such as for the duration of Grinnell’s two-week spring break, plus a summer portion.

On-Site Arrangements — Depending on where you are in the world, these arrangements will vary.

  • Accommodations can include hostels, hotels, homestays, university residence halls, and apartments.
  • Ground transportation can be buses, trains, or taxis but a lot of the transportation is simply on foot. Pack your walking shoes!
  • Local visits while traveling are abundant. Outings in each location in the itinerary will be prescribed by your faculty leaders so that they complement the course theme and syllabus. You receive exposure not only to your faculty leaders’ expertise, but also to the host cultures’ native lecturers and experts.

For more information, please email the Institute for Global Engagement.

Student Stories

Student with class in Paris

Tolerance and Intolerance Today GLP

France and Germany

“Participating in the GLP inspired me to continue studying French at Grinnell, and I ultimately completed a MAP with Professor David Harrison, one of my GLP instructors, which we co-presented at an academic conference. Perhaps more importantly, he became a trusted and important source of support for me as I navigated the challenges of college.”

Rebecca Hsiung ’19

Student on a trail in Cuba.

Global Health GLP

Costa Rica, Cuba, and Denmark

“The international portion of this course added an extra dimension to my understanding and comprehension of the course content. It made everything real and provided live data. It also expanded my mindset and made me more aware of how other people think.”

Natasha Aguilar ’21

Students visiting lake in Russia

Food, Identity, and Culture in Russia and China GLP

China and Russia

“One of my favorite aspects of the trip was the ability of the professors to incorporate alumni living the the area. We were able to meet with them and gain the perspective of Grinnellian’s spending an extended amount of time in these locations while also learning how they’re able to do it.”

Ethan Huelskamp ’20

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