The GW Global Bachelor's Program (GBP) is a competitive, cohort program that realizes GW's commitment to globalizing the experience of every student. Students in the Global Bachelor's Program spend multiple semesters abroad as part of their GW studies. The program is a collaboration between the GW School of Business (GWSB), the Columbian College of Arts & Sciences (CCAS), and the Elliott School of International Affairs (ESIA).
Students begin the program with an initial semester abroad together as a cohort at Fudan University in Shanghai, China, or Queens University in Belfast, Northern Ireland. This semester abroad is followed by two additional semester-long international experiences that match each student's personal, academic and career objectives. The final experience can be either a full-time international internship or a third semester of study abroad. Some internships in this cohort have included the U.S. Department of State in Ecuador, the Economic Section of the U.S. Embassy in Thailand, refugee assistance in Serbia and Greece, and sustainable urban farming in South Africa.
An organizing feature of the GBP is the requirement to select a Global Challenge topic students use to analyze each of the three semester-long experiences. While abroad, students deepen their understanding through expert interviews, secondary research, and building a network of professionals with domain expertise. During their senior year GBP students participate in a capstone course at GW synthesizing their observations from three years of work and present to the university community in an open forum.
Reflecting on his experience with the GBP, Max Leo (BBA, 2020), had the following to say:
Max Leo (BBA '20)
“The Global Bachelor’s Program allowed me to explore my academic, professional and personal interests while also exploring a wide range of amazing places. While in Shanghai, I was able to learn more about Chinese culture and the incredible natural beauty held within its borders. While in Mumbai, I interned for a real estate developer and was able to combine my two concentrations: International Business and Real Estate. While in Milan, I was able to explore my interest in fashion by taking classes on luxury marketing and interning/modeling for a luxury menswear company. These opportunities have taught me so much and also gave me an awesome group of lifelong friends.”
There were two capstone cohorts in fall and spring of AY20 that came together to present their findings of their final capstone. Selected Global Challenge topics in this cohort covered a wide variety of topics including: the social and environmental impact of fast-fashion, inclusion in the global film industry, migration policy, water and wealth, sexualtiy education,international housing policy transfer, and infrastructure and connectivity.