Global & Intercultural Engagement Honour
In today's interconnected world, possessing global and intercultural skills has become increasingly advantageous for university graduates. Western's Global & Intercultural Engagement Honour recognizes and rewards students' experience and engagement in such activities during their time at Western.
Once achieved, the Global Honour will appear on the student's official transcript upon graduation. The structure of this program allows students to incorporate both curricular and extracurricular activities. Students awarded this Honour will be global-ready graduates: through their participation they will develop the skills required to navigate and succeed in an increasingly globalized reality, both professionally and personally.
Learning outcomes
- Develop intercultural skills that will enhance interaction and recognize multiple perspectives when engaging with people from diverse countries or cultures
- Understand the complexities of global issues, such as culture, history, geography, world market, economy, social and political trends affecting today’s globalized society
- Learn to adjust own attitudes and approach to global engagement as a reflexive practitioner
- Apply intercultural and global learning with increased self-confidence to their personal, academic and professional life
Who is eligible?
Undergraduate students in any faculty on main campus, and at Brescia, Huron and King's University Colleges. Students in the Faculty of Law and Ivey Business School are also eligible to enrol in the Global Honour under the Undergraduate Stream.
Graduate and professional degree students must enrol under the Graduate and Professional Stream.
Why achieve the Global & Intercultural Engagement Honour?
There is no cost, and it can be completed in conjunction with your degree program.
- Enhance your degree with recognition on your transcript for global and/or intercultural experience
- Develop intercultural communication skills, knowledge, and global awareness that employers seek
- Connect with other global-minded peers and grow your professional network
- Broaden your perspective on the world and increase your cultural awareness and knowledge
How to achieve the Honour?
For undergraduate students, the Global Honour is awarded upon successful completion of the following components, including earning 100 points from the categories below:
- Category 1: Academic Coursework (required)
- minimum of 20 points to a maximum of 50 points must be accumulated from this category - Category 2: Global Experience at Home or Abroad (required)
- minimum of 20 points to a maximum of 50 points must be accumulated from this category - Category 3: Global or Intercultural Engagement and Training
- a maximum of 50 points can be accumulated from this category - Category 4: Language Proficiency and Learning
- a maximum of 40 points can be accumulated from this category
Graduate and professional degree students should refer to the Graduate Stream page for information related to points requirements.
Application process
Step 1: Register for the Global Honour
Undergraduate students can register for the Global & Intercultural Engagement Honour by completing an application in Atlas , Western’s international experience portal. Click on the ' Login to Apply' button at the bottom of the program page when you are ready to begin your Global Honour journey.
In order to submit your registration for the Global Honour, you must complete the following steps:
- Open a Global Honour application for the current term in Atlas.
- Complete the self-assessment quiz. The link to the quiz will be provided within the application form.
- Complete the “Foundations for Intercultural Competence and Global Engagement” online module in OWL and obtain the certificate. Instructions on how to join this OWL site will be provided within the application form.
- Within your Global Honour application, identify your learning objectives and skills development.
- Upload your self-assessment results and module certificate to your Atlas application.
- Finally, submit this initial section of your application.
Please note that in order to receive emails regarding upcoming opportunities to earn points towards the Global Honour, or to request claims assessments, you must first register in the Global Honour and receive the registration confirmation email.
Step 2: Submit points claims
- Submit evidence of completion for all category requirements, attaching supporting documents in Atlas, where applicable.
- Please ensure that if a claim is not on the pre-approved lists, you must submit a claims form for each claim you wish to make. Note that claims are subject to approval before they can be added to your application in Atlas.
- More information related to category requirements and the claims process can be found on our webpages for each respective category.
Step 3: Final reflection
- Upon completion and approval of all category requirements, you will write a critical reflection (using prompt questions) to articulate how the impact (personal, academic and professional) of your experiences and learning through the Global Honour has influenced your global awareness and intercultural fluency development.
Pathways to Achieve the Honour
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Example 1
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Example 2
Being awarded the Honour without second language skills
| Economics 3312A/B - The Global Trading System | 10 points |
| Economics 3324F/G - Economic Development I | 10 points |
| Economics 3325F/G - Economic Development II | 10 points |
| Economics 3326F/G - The Economic History of Europe I | 10 points |
| Economics 3327F/G - Economic History of Europe II | 10 points |
| Exchange Term to Maastricht University, the Netherlands | 30 points |
| Volunteer in the International Learning Ambassador program | 20 points |
| Total | 100 points |
Being awarded the Honour without going abroad
| History 1801 - Major Issues in World History | 20 points |
| History 1805E - Science, Technology and Global History | 20 points |
| Arabic 1030 - Arabic for Beginners | 20 points |
| Western International's Peer Guide Volunteer | 20 points |
| Volunteer at an approved local organization (min. 51 hrs.) | 20 points |
| Total | 100 points |
Contact Information
Contact goabroad@uwo.ca for more information.
FAQs
Is there a deadline to apply for the Global Honour?
Deadlines for completing specific steps of the Global Honour are posted in Atlas and are based on your anticipated graduation date. Please review the deadlines carefully to ensure you are completing all steps in time for your graduation.
When can I start my application for the Global Honour?
You can start your application and register in the Global Honour any time after you start your degree at Western. You must register for the Honour at least four months before your expected convocation month. It is strongly recommended that you begin your Global Honour application as soon as possible.
What if I participated in an activity/event/experience that is not listed on the website or in Atlas? Can I still claim this for points?
If you would like to claim an activity/event/experience that is not already listed on Atlas or the website, you must submit a claims form. Please see the respective webpage for each category claim form.
