Applications Open for U21 Global Citizens Program (Fall 2022)

As we continue to revolutionize international education, the Office of International Affairs is pleased to offer the Universitas 21 Global Citizens program to a select group of students this fall.

The 75 selected students will virtually represent UMD on the global stage. UMD is one of 28 members of the Universitas 21 (U21) network, which brings together research-intensive universities from six continents to exchange knowledge, share perspectives, and collaborate for the advancement of the common good. U21 will host this online course with the leadership nonprofit Common Purpose. 

Cost: $0 (U21 will cover program costs for UMD’s nominees.)

Spaces available: UMD will nominate 75 students to participate in this limited opportunity.   

Applications for the Fall 2022 round closed on September 18. 

What is the U21 Global Citizens opportunity?

The U21 Global Citizens Program is a three-week experiential online course designed to help you develop the leadership skills needed to advance your understanding of the most pressing global challenges of our time. Connecting and collaborating with a cohort of students from across U21’s international network, you will design projects that prepare you to be:  

• Equipped to take rapid action on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);

• Able to step outward and collaborate with diverse networks;

• Ready to challenge preconceptions and better inform other people’s perspectives;

• Better equipped to operate across hierarchies; and

• Better prepared to live and maintain your values and integrity.

• Better connected to U21 students around the world

Those who complete the three-week program and the final assessment will be awarded a Global Citizenship micro-credential from U21 and Common Purpose. This credential, which can be used on your professional resume and displayed on your LinkedIn profile will demonstrate that you have the skills necessary to tackle complex global issues as an internationally educated leader.

Course Overview 

Through this course, built on Common Purpose’s Open Source Leadership model, students will network with peers, exchange strategies, and hear from inspiring current and future leaders across the world. Students will participate in experiential activities and exercises, complete offline tasks and reflections, and work on their own individual plans to advance their understanding of global challenges as articulated by the SDGs. The course includes:

• Three weeks of online learning and engagement with students across the globe.

• Approximately three hours of asynchronous learning each week that students can undertake at a time that suits them via the U21 Global Citizenship online portal.

• An additional live reflective session each week via video conference. Facilitated by Common Purpose, these sessions will consolidate learning and serve as an opportunity to interact with other participants in real-time. These sessions will be offered twice weekly to offer viable options in every time zone represented.

• Students undertake a number of modules each week on key topics related to the SDGs and open source leadership.

For more information, review the course guide.

Course dates: October 3 – 21, 2022

Synchronous sessions dates:

Week 1: 

Tuesday, October 4, 8-9:30 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

(Tuesday 4 October: 13:00 – 14:30 British Summer Time) 

OR

Tuesday, October 4, 9-10:30 p.m., EDT

(Wednesday 5 October: 02:00 – 03:30 British Summer Time) 

OR

Wednesday, October 5, 1-2:30 p.m., EDT

(Wednesday 5 October: 18:00 – 19:30 British Summer Time)

Week 2:  

Tuesday, October 11, 1-2:30 p.m., EDT

(Tuesday 11 October: 18:00 – 19:30 British Summer Time)

OR

Tuesday, October 11, 9-10:30 p.m., EDT

(Wednesday 12 October: 02:00 – 03:30 British Summer Time)

OR

Wednesday, October 12, 8-9:30 a.m., EDT

(Wednesday 12 October: 13:00 – 14:30 British Summer Time)

Post Course Reflection sessions (optional):

Wednesday, October 26, 10-11:30 a.m., EDT

(Wednesday 26 October: 15:00 – 16:30 British Summer Time)

OR 

Thursday, October 27, 12-1:30 a.m., EDT

(Thursday 27 October: 05:00 – 06:30 British Summer Time )

Questions:

Please feel free to contact Lei Bao (leibao@umd.edu) with any questions you might have.