Eastern Connecticut State University recently named its first Global Scholar, Jennifer Pepin, a senior double majoring in Early Childhood Education and Spanish.
To become a global scholar, a student must complete the Global Citizenship Program. This program has three levels of coursework. Level 1 consists of completing the University’s Tier II Cultural Perspectives course, as well as attending four Global Citizenship events.
Level 2 gives the student options, including taking two Foreign Language courses at a college level; completing three courses that pertain to one particular region or language; participating in a study abroad program; or taking an approved cluster of courses that relates to a global perspective. As part of level 2, students must also continue to attend Global Citizenship events.
Level 3 requires an independent project designed by the student that implements what he or she has learned in levels 1 and 2 through involvement with a specific community, organization or group working in global or intercultural projects.
Knowing since freshman year that she wanted to work in a bilingual elementary school, Pepin saw a brochure for the Global Citizenship Program in the Intercultural Center and was immediately interested. As part of the program, Pepin traveled to Havana, Cuba, her freshman year and Salamanca, Spain, this past summer. She focused on Latin American Studies for her three-course cluster, and worked at Eastern Connecticut Area Health Education Centers for a summer independent study. Pepin also became the head of the Global Issues Committee for People Helping People, an on-campus student organization. Completing each level, Pepin earned her Global Scholar designation as she entered her senior year at Eastern.
“I strongly recommend this program to anyone who has an interest in global studies and doesn’t mind stepping out of his or her comfort zone. I learned a lot about myself and what it means to have global competence,” Pepin stated.