Why We Are Unique

Dynamic Instructors

Our instructors are handpicked for their expertise in their field, interactive teaching style, and international experience. Our instructors are focused on giving our scholars the ability, passion, and skill sets to create progressive and lasting change in our world. More so than that, they practice what they preach. For example, Petra Hejnova, Coordinator and Instructor for the Prague program, is the former Director of the Gender Studies Center in Prague and has delivered reports to the United Nations regarding the status of women in the Czech Republic. Heather McDougall, the founder of GILCD and a professor in both the Prague and Colorado programs has an extensive background in social reform, leadership initiatives, women’s rights, and cross-cultural communication. Scott Sherman, a professor in the Colorado program is the director and founder of the Transformative Action Institute. Besides being the author of several books, Scott is a leader in teaching transformative change and social movements.

Commitment to Academic Excellence

An essential part of becoming a global citizen is gaining knowledge. We offer specially designed courses which focus on issues of global importance. Through each course, students are challenged to grapple with the significance, consequence, and relevance of course concepts not only to themselves but to the world around them.

Our courses are not lecture-style. Quite the contrary, they are highly interactive, utilizing experiential learning, guest lectures, and fieldtrips.

Our dedication to academic excellence draws students from a wide range of backgrounds. A sample of participants' home universities include:

Civic Engagement

During our programs, all scholars will have the opportunity to make a difference in the local communities they are studying in. These activities are not only rewarding, but allow you to put theoretical knowledge learned in the classroom to practical use. Past projects include working with: Klicek Children's Hospice, Rolnicka School for the Disabled, and Veseli nad Luznici Flood Recovery Project.

Multiple Locations

While each program retains the same structure and philosophy, each has its own courses. This allows participants to attend multiple programs in exciting locations. Past participants from the Prague program have gone on to attend our programs in Bologna and Cuba.

Future Leadership Positions

Each summer, we promote past participants to become Student Coordinators. These internships allow participants to take their leadership skills to a new level. Past participants have even gone on to create their own programs! We are very proud of Vladimir Mladjenovic (Yugoslavia) and Luis Lopez (Mexico) who created and served as the Co-Directors for the 2004 Global Education Program in Cuba. Daniel Epstein (US/Canada) and Michael Forte (US)are also working on creating our first US program!

Aside from our leadership opportunities within our organization, several scholars have gained scholarships and entrance into other leading programs due to the invaluable experience they gained with GILCD and the progressive skills they learned in our classrooms.