Global Learning

These programs, led by UD faculty during winter or summer breaks, offer direct UD credit through focused academic instruction tied to the program’s location. They provide a unique chance to deepen your knowledge alongside peers and faculty while gaining valuable real-world experience. Because they take place outside the regular semester, they can help you graduate early, add a minor or second major, or free up time for a semester-long internship or co-op.

Semester-long programs take place during the fall or spring semesters and let students live and study as visiting students at partner schools abroad. These immersive experiences help students develop independence, cross-cultural understanding, and adaptability while fully engaging with a new campus community. Students stay on track for their major at the University of Dayton, and gain valuable skills like global awareness, problem-solving, and communication. Because these programs require careful planning, students should connect early with academic and education abroad advisors to find the best fit for their goals.

Integrated learning programs combine travel with an existing fall or spring semester course at UD and are led by UD faculty. These courses expand their curriculum through travel during short breaks— typically early January, spring break or early May — so students gain immersive, hands-on learning abroad without committing to an extended time away. This approach lets students deepen their understanding, apply course concepts in real-world settings, and build skills like cultural awareness, problem-solving and adaptability.

Through cross-cultural programs, including breakouts and immersions offered through ETHOS, the Center for Social Concern and the Honors Program, you will engage in meaningful service and learning during winter, spring or summer breaks. While they are not always credit bearing, these immersions allow you to apply your skills and personal values to real-world opportunities in diverse communities. These programs provide powerful experiences that deepen your commitment to social responsibility and global citizenship. 

Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) brings international partnerships directly into your courses. Through virtual teamwork with university students abroad, you'll tackle real-world challenges, share perspectives, and gain firsthand experience in cross-cultural communication and digital collaboration. This high-impact, experiential learning approach is immersive and project-based, allowing you to explore global dimensions in your field — all without leaving the classroom.

Recent examples include:

• Engineering students worked with peers in Ghana to develop sustainable water treatment solutions.
• Marketing students partnered with classmates in Italy to develop a new product by determining consumer needs, conducting market research, prototyping, forecasting, designing, testing and launching it.
• Health and sport science students partnered with classmates and community organizations in Guatemala to explore nutrition issues and causes within communities.

UD offers a supportive environment where students from all backgrounds can connect, belong and succeed. Events like International Education Week, CultureFest and the International Festival give you opportunities to celebrate diversity, build meaningful relationships and engage with a vibrant community. These experiences help you grow personally and academically in an inclusive and welcoming space.

Through the International and Intercultural Leadership Certificate, students develop leadership skills rooted in cultural humility, ethical engagement and global understanding.

Open to all majors, the certificate combines coursework with experiential learning (e.g., a semester abroad, a domestic immersion or a faculty-led trip) and encourages students to apply their learning in real-world contexts.

Students are also encouraged to engage with a second language and deepen their global fluency, preparing them to lead with integrity in a diverse world.

The Global Learning Living Community brings together sophomores, juniors and seniors who are passionate about cultural exchange, global engagement and developing as responsible global citizens.

Residents participate in retreats, interest-driven programming and city excursions. They also have the option to enroll in the mini-course Journey Toward Global Citizenship (UDI 267), which can count toward earning the Global Competence Certificate.

Living in this dynamic community helps students:

• Build meaningful, cross-cultural friendships.
• Develop leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Feel more connected, confident, and supported throughout their UD journey.

At UD, our Catholic, Marianist values inspire students to become skilled communicators and compassionate leaders who help build strong, inclusive communities.

The Diversity Peer Educators program strengthens your leadership and dialogue skills through peer-led workshops focused on identity, inclusion and connection. With mentorship and support from campus partners, you'll help foster meaningful conversations and a sense of belonging across campus.

The Creating Inclusive Community mini-course invites you to reflect on how we live, learn and lead together. You'll explore practical tools to build trust, promote understanding and work toward the common good within a diverse community.

Dialogue and intercultural development are foundational to social justice education at UD. Through the Dialogue Zone, students, staff and faculty build skills to engage respectfully with challenging issues and diverse perspectives.

Students can participate in various dialogues throughout the year or enroll in a mini-course focused on the dialogic process, while faculty have the opportunity to join a cohort to deepen their dialogue skills and foster productive conversations on critical topics.

The World Associates Program is a student employment opportunity within the Global and Intercultural Affairs Center where students serve as ambassadors and peer leaders supporting global engagement on campus. As a World Associate, you’ll gain hands-on, work-based learning experience by assisting with programs, events, and outreach initiatives that promote intercultural understanding. Through meaningful applied work and professional development workshops, you’ll build communication, teamwork, and leadership skills that prepare you for your future career.