GLO Framework

Students and faculty who participate in a global learning experience are typically exposed to different perspectives, ways of living, cultures and customs, often needing to adapt and learn to communicate across cultures.

Global learning experiences allow students and faculty to:

• Better understand other cultures
• Develop critical thinking skills in real-world scenarios
• Learn adaptability and problem-solving
• Improve teamwork skills
• Enhance employability after graduation

Global Learning Opportunities support Mohawk College's Strategic Plan and the International & Partnerships Department's Strategic Plan.

Mohawk College Strategic Plan.

Aspiration: Enable Future Ready education, research, programs, services and experiences - for students, employees and our community.

Leadership Outcome: We will be the college of choice for a flexible, accessible and innovative learning and working environment.

International & Partnerships Departmental Strategic Plan

Pillar: Partnerships & Global Engagement

Outcomes: New opportunities for partnership development; Global competencies and learning

Objectives: Sustainable and quality institutional partnerships and projects; Co-location strategy for market development and branding; Enhanced student and staff mobility, and Internationalization of curriculum.

GLO funding will cover 75-100% of student trip costs and 100% of faculty trip costs. It is expected that student participants will fundraise to cover any costs not covered by GLO funds. The total amount of funding provided for each trip will be based on the trip details (e.g. location, length, number of participants, activity costs).

GLO funding can be used for travel-related expenses such as airfare, on-ground transportation, accommodations, course/program fees for students, and other items required for international travel.

Funding cannot be used for memberships, conference fees, or tuition for faculty.

Visit the GLO Application Process page for full details, timelines and the application form.

Stage 1: Trip Proposal are submitted by faculty/staff and reviewed by the GLO Selection Committee. Trip Proposals must be approved by the trip lead's Operations Manager, Associate Dean/Director and Dean (as applicable) before submission.

Stage 2:  Selected faculty/staff trip leads sign a Travel Funding Agreement. Trip preparations take place (e.g., selecting students to participate, building the program, etc.). Pre-Trip orientations are developed for and delivered to students.

Stage 3: Travel abroad.

Stage 4: Faculty/trip lead(s) debrief with Mohawk International and submit a trip report (due within one month of returning to Canada).

GLO Selection Committee

The GLO Selection Committee determines which Trip Proposals are approved and the amount of funding for each trip.

The GLO Selection Committee is made up of staff from: 

• Mohawk International

• Academic areas (faculty and/or Dean/Associate Dean) 

• International Faculty Lead

• Centre for Teaching & Learning 

• Human Resources

Mohawk International will:

• Advise on partnership opportunities available 

• Advise on risks and risk monitoring

• Advise on Travel Waivers mandated by College

• Advise on MOU development 

• Advise on project preparation and trip logistics

• Develop and deliver pre-trip orientation to faculty/trip lead(s) and students or work with trip leads to develop and deliver the orientation

• Purchase Guard.me emergency medical insurance for all student travelers

For all trips, the trip lead(s) will:

• Plan the trip and make all travel arrangements in alignment with the College's Travel Expenses and Hospitality Policy (pdf)
• Adhere to the terms outlined in the Travel Agreement
• Identify at least one global competency and one United Nations Sustainable Development Goal to be achieved through the global experience
• Debrief with Mohawk International and submit a trip report within one month of returning to Canada

• Advertise the trip to students and oversee the selection process 

• Organize pre-trip group meetings and oversee all fundraising activities

• Collaborate with the partner organization/host institution (if applicable)

• Prepare status reports during the trip planning stage

• Lead the trip abroad

• Ensure learning outcomes are embedded in the experience and students have the opportunity to achieve them

• Continuously monitor student safety and well-being

All GLO-funded trips must contribute to the achievement of at least one of the following global competencies:

• Cultural Self-Awareness: Demonstrate self-awareness within the context of global & local communities. Describe how the experiences, perceptions, practices, and behaviour of people from around the world may differ from one’s own.   

• Intercultural Communication and Adaptability: Adapt behaviour and communication style within multi-cultural environments to function effectively in group/teamwork, employment, community, and global contexts. 

• Global Perspectives: Demonstrate ability to understand and appreciate multiple world perspectives. Identify how one’s field of study may be practiced differently worldwide. Demonstrate an attitude of curiosity, openness and discovery. 

• Global Engagement and Responsibility: Demonstrate understanding of ethical, social, and environmental issues in local and global systems and culturally diverse populations. Show how culturally sensitive action can be taken toward positive change.

Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI)

• It is encouraged that students and Trip Leads complete the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) pre-trip and if possible, post-trip to measure intercultural competency development.
• The IDI is a tool used to measure where participants of Global Learning Opportunities are on a continuum of Intercultural Development
• To learn more, visit the Intercultural Development Inventory site.

All GLO-funded trips must contribute to the achievement of at least one of the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).

The United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals are a collection of 17 global goals designed to end extreme poverty, reduce inequality, and protect the planet by 2030. 

Learn more about the United Nation's SDGs.

View an accessible version of the above image.

Source: United Nations

Co-curricular student trips should contribute to the achievement of at least one of the following Institutional Learning Outcomes:

• Communication
• Collaboration
• Critical Thinking
• Continuous Learning
• Responsible Citizen

If a trip is co-curricular, students can add their achievements to their Co-Curricular Record (CCR)

In an effort to action the 2017-2021 College Strategic Plan commitment to “provide a gateway to global experiences” (p. 41), the International GLO team conducted a survey of just over 2,000 students and 57 program coordinators and interviewed 35 faculty about global learning opportunities during 2018/19. The aim was to find out if there is interest among students and faculty in global experiences and to uncover needs and barriers. The main findings were:

• There is great interest at Mohawk in global learning opportunities (70% of faculty and 70% of student respondents indicated interest)
• Both students and faculty prefer a short-term experience of under one semester
• Funding was identified as the number one barrier to participation for both groups
• Students indicated a preference for work-based experiences (e.g. work/field placements, co-op)
• Faculty indicated that a transparent and formal process and consistent funding were desired

Research has indicated that the development of global competencies such as communication, collaboration and adaptability enhance the employability of graduates (OECD, 2018, p. 5; MAESD, 2018, p. 8; Davies, 2011, p. 9).

The GLO Project was launched in 2020 and received 14 excellent applications. In 2022, after a 2 year hiatus due to COVID, GLO was relaunched!

Here are some reports that were consulted in the creation of the GLO project:

Educating Global Citizens (2018)

Future Work Skills 2020 (2011)

Global Education for Canadians (2017)

Canadian Students Abroad infographic (2016)

A World of Learning pdf (2016)

OECD PISA Global Competence (2018)