International Initiatives

“More than ever before, people understand that they are being shaped by many cultures and influences, and that combining the familiar with the foreign can be a source of powerful knowledge and insight.” - Kofi Annan, 7th Secretary-General of the United Nations

Global education is a powerful force for positive economic and social change and global competency is becoming an expectation for all graduates. Whatever profession they prepare for, today’s students will be dramatically impacted by forces at work in our global community.

To help all of our students lead and succeed in a world with fewer and fewer borders, the University of Utah is focusing on three key areas.

  • Students – Studying abroad and being immersed in a culture outside of the US is a universally and profoundly transformative experience. It is also one of the most effective ways to prepare students to live and work in a global society. Studying abroad opens new academic and career horizons, accelerates learning, allows our students to serve as young ambassadors, and adds a new dimension to the campus and our community upon their return.
  • Faculty – Professors hold the key to internationalization, ensuring that every curriculum is infused with international education experiences. They are leading the way by restructuring majors, establishing innovative and relevant international agreements, and crossing disciplines to create world class collaborations and partnerships that integrate learning skills, multi-cultural competencies and practical knowledge needed to succeed in and contribute to our rapidly changing, increasingly global society.
  • Local and Global Community – Through International Education, students, faculty, and community partners work with others around the globe to address the critical issues affecting us all – from global health to green energy; economic development to technology innovation; social justice to cultural exchange and understanding. Working alongside people of different cultural, political and economic backgrounds, students, researchers and volunteers are:
    • Addressing infectious and chronic diseases, improving public health and sanitation, supporting education, and assisting with micro funding in Africa, China, and India as part of the Global Health Initiative;
    • Restoring environmentally degraded historic canals and building a model green city in Wuxi;
    • Studying language, art, architecture, and religion in cities around the world; or
    • Carrying out global justice reform in the Middle East.

To help the University be globally recognized as a leader in international education, we seek to:

  • Establish a Study Abroad Scholarship Fund so that every student who wants to study abroad again. This requires closing a substantial gap – currently 75% of students express interest but only 2% actually participate;
  • Encourage partnerships with companies with international markets and operations to support scholarships and internships;
  • Promote world-class collaborations that bring together professional experts and scholars from around the world to develop innovative and practical solutions to the issues of our time;
  • Fund international programs that allow students and faculty the opportunity to conduct research, study and volunteer their service from Argentina to Azerbaijan; and
  • Provide support for faculty to develop curriculum, expand international exchanges, and create world class, timely, and relevant collaborations.