As the spring semester comes to a close, SamfordGlobal is gearing up to serve another cohort of students planning to continue their studies abroad. What better way to encourage students to study abroad than by bringing a taste of the world closer to home?
Each spring, students from across campus come together to support one of Samford Global’s keystone events, Global Connections. Cultures from across the globe are represented and celebrated on Samford’s quad to affirm the office’s mission to provide cross-cultural education.
“I think what makes Global Connections so special is the variety of people involved in it, from student organizations, to Greek life, to local restaurants,” said Anna Cella, president of the Chinese Student and Scholars Association and an intern in the SamfordGlobal office. “It takes a village to help put on the event, and that makes it much more rewarding in the end.”
The Global Connections fair allows students who have studied abroad to share how their international experiences benefited them, while students who have yet to go abroad can explore the opportunities available. This is also an opportunity for international students to share their unique cultural heritages at the event, creating a blend of education that enriches the lives of other students.
“I hope the biggest takeaway for students is that the celebration of other countries and cultures matters. I hope participants get to try a food they haven't heard of or learn a little bit more about a popular activity from a country they've never been to,” said Cella.
“A key part of Global Connections is that students receive a passport to carry with them from table to table. When they visit each region there is an activity for them to complete and then they receive a stamp on their passport, experiencing different regions, food, activities and performances,” said Christiana Hewlett, president of iClub.
Aside from thrilling performances and excellent food, SamfordGlobal hopes that Global Connections is a continual learning opportunity for students and an opportunity to highlight the importance of global citizenship.
Additionally, Global Connections provides an opportunity for students on campus to see the benefits of studying abroad. Samford Abroad houses a number of international education opportunities, this unique approach to higher education prepares students with maturity and perspective to engage a global society while introducing them to other cultures in practical ways.
The flagship program of the Samford Abroad portfolio is the Daniel House, a five-story home in central London, roughly a mile from Kensington Palace. The Daniel House is used by students and faculty as both a home and classroom and provides the setting for Samford faculty to develop students in an inspiring cultural context as affordably as possible.
Applications for the spring 2025 Daniel House semester abroad close next Thursday, April 18. Students interested in this program should schedule an appointment with a SamfordGlobal adviser or submit an application today.