We are looking for a small cohort of students to participate in UMBC's inaugural Intercultural Engagement Prep program. The pilot program, which is designed to grow your intercultural competency and skills,

is open to:

• International students

• Future or returned study abroad students

• Students interested in applying to the Peace Corps after graduation

• Students who have an interest in preparing for other international or intercultural experiences

• Students who want to prepare themselves as global citizens in a multicultural world 

As a participant in the Intercultural Engagement Prep pilot program, you will:

• Meet other globally-minded students at UMBC;

• Develop your critical analytical skills;

• Increase your cultural self-awareness and critically reflect on your own unconscious bias;

• Develop strategies to improve your intercultural communication and how you'll apply it in your future career;

• Recognize cultural differences, commonalities, perceptions, power and privilege dynamics, and how they can lead to conflict; and

• Understand the importance of intercultural dialogue and intercultural citizenship competencies for fostering social justice.

This non-credit/no-fee course, PRAC 103, will meet twice in the Spring 2024 semester at a mutually agreeable time. Students will be required to attend two globally themed events or activities and will also have independent assignments to complete in Blackboard. Upon successful completion of the program, participants will earn two digital badges titled Increasing Cultural Self-Awareness and Reinforcing Intercultural Dialogue. 

Students who register for the Intercultural Engagement Prep pilot program will be invited to participate in a UMBC PhD student research project and receive a $50 gift payment for their participation in this research.

If you'd like to be registered for this pilot course, sign up here. 

Questions about the program should be directed to Adam Holden aholden1@umbc.edu.

Sincerely,

Intercultural Engagement Prep Team
Joby Taylor, Katie Heird, Adam Holden