Global DePaul and the Cultural and Resource Centers hosted a Multicultural Festival on Jan. 31. (Photo by Keeton Holder/DePaul University)
For decades, DePaul’s Global Engagement team has facilitated transformative global learning and cross-cultural engagement opportunities. Passionate, student-focused staff surface mission in their work and provide resources to students of all backgrounds. “DePaul’s approach to international education stands out because of the many ways our mission surfaces in the work we do,” says GianMario Besana, associate provost for Global Engagement and Online Learning. “From the range of study abroad programs and scholarships we offer to our Global Learning Experience program to the resources available to students of all backgrounds, we strive to give all Blue Demons a leg up in their DePaul experience.”
International scholars on campus
The idea of living and studying in a new country can be daunting. Securing a visa, navigating language barriers and finding community can be challenging. These are some of the concerns international student advisors help Blue Demons with daily.
“International students are resilient and have a unique view of what it’s like to experience the U.S. education system,” says Anna Duong-Topp, an international student advisor in International Student and Scholar Services. “As advisors, our goal is to help them meet their academic and career goals, as well as build their sense of community and engagement on campus – we want to see the ‘whole person’ succeed, not just the ‘student.’”
Beyond the normal offering of courses, resources and campus activities available to Blue Demons, international students also have resources specifically designed for them. These include international student orientations, frequent programming offered by the international student success team through
Global DePaul and the
International Resource Center.
“Building community is important for success – it affects social wellness and can give international students a sense of reassurance that they’re in the right place,” Duong-Topp says. “Knowing you have a network for problem-solving, beyond DePaul’s more concrete resources, makes such a difference in the international academic experience.”
Blue Demons abroad
During the 2023-24 school year, 1,183 DePaul students studied abroad in 37 countries through 74 unique programs. From program and visa applications to scholarship deadlines to ensuring academic credits are transferred appropriately, there are various moving parts students must coordinate when it comes to international academia. Tendai Kachingwe is one of several Study Abroad Advisors who works to help Blue Demons succeed before, during and after their time abroad.
“I work with nine programs in our term-long portfolio, where students stay abroad for an entire quarter, semester or longer,” he says. DePaul also offers short-term faculty-led programs, typically offered during spring break or summer break, and during the December intercession.
Kachingwe notes the most important aspect of his role is building relationships with students. As a DePaul and study abroad alumnus, he knows first-hand the impact an international experience can have on students.
“I transferred to DePaul because of the study abroad opportunities offered by the university,” Kachingwe says. “Originally, I didn’t think they’d be accessible to me, but I was encouraged by faculty and members within the Study Abroad office to apply. I studied in France for an academic year and eventually got an extended visa to study and work during the summer, which changed the trajectory of my career.”
Virtual global exchange and more
In addition to incoming and outgoing Blue Demons, DePaul also offers many other opportunities for students, faculty and staff to connect with peers around the world.
For nearly five years,
Global Conversations have cultivated intercultural, meaningful discussions on how global issues affect various disciplines and industries.
Global Engagement offers countless events and various ways for faculty, staff and students to strengthen relationships with international partner institutions, organizations and embassies, including the
DePaul Ambassadors Program.
In addition, undergraduate students can showcase their strategic pursuit of global learning opportunities throughout their studies at DePaul and can take courses that will allow them to earn a
Global Fluency Certificate. The certificate offers students a cohesive, curated way for DePaul students to grow as global citizens and the opportunity to clearly demonstrate their achievements in global learning to prospective employers post-graduation.
“International and local students alike bring their hopes and dreams to DePaul,” Besana says. “Our job is to help them make those hopes and dreams a reality.”