Georgia Global
Focus on First-Year Students
Programs and initiatives for first-year students
UGA’s Office of Global Engagement proudly emphasizes the importance of global citizenship for our first-year students. Explore our current efforts that are designed to engage with UGA’s newest global citizens and develop their intercultural skills and studies.
First Year Odyssey Global Citizenship Cluster
The First-Year Odyssey Seminar program is designed for students to learn about the many resources available on campus and to become engaged in the cultural and intellectual life of the University. The Global Citizenship cluster was created to encourage students to reflect on cultural and political differences, socio-economic and educational disparities in a global context at the beginning of their studies at UGA.
This cluster prepares students for future educational experiences abroad. Each semester, UGA faculty that take part in the FYO Global Citizenship cluster discuss a range of topics, from Climate Crisis to Refugee and Immigrant Health.
Enrollment trends
The inaugural iteration of the FYO Global Citizenship Cluster surpassed the anticipated maximum enrollment, and enrollments in 2024-25 reached a record high.
students across 11 sections
(Year 1)
students across 13 sections
(Year 2)
First-year FYO Global Citizenship Seminar Cluster students demonstrated heightened levels of engagement in study abroad.
Among the students who applied for study abroad programs, 14% opted for Connect Abroad, 43% for faculty-led experiences, 11% for UGA International Centers, 11% for partner programs, 2% for exchanges, and 2% for independent experiences abroad. 20% of these students applied for scholarships.
of students actively utilized the study away portal
of students submitted application for programs
Speakers
Each semester, students in the Global Citizenship Cluster attend visits from speakers that are making international strides via their careers.
Past speakers include Chase Sova, Senior director of Public Policy and Research at World Food Program USA, Andrew Hanna, author of author of 25 Million Sparks: The Untold Story of Refugee Entrepreneurs, and Shannon Greene, a UGA graduate who serves as the Assistant to the Administrator of the Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance at the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Connect Abroad
Created specifically and exclusively for first-year students, the immersive Connect Abroad programs will connect you to peers, faculty, and unique experiences over UGA’s spring break in 6 countries around the world. Not only is this a unique chance for new students to explore the culture, society, politics, and art of another country, it’s an opportunity to create long-lasting bonds with other UGA students, faculty, and staff at the beginning of a student’s undergraduate journey, giving them a head-start on thinking globally in their studies at UGA.
Connect Abroad Program Highlight
World of Computing
This program is exclusively for first-year students in Computer Science and similar majors. Students will be given the chance to explore the academic, culture, society, and the computing industry alongside peers and faculty across England.
- Discover the pivotal role of technology in history with a visit to Bletchley Park, known as the central site for British codebreakers during World War II, providing a look into the world of cryptography and its impact on modern computing.
- Gain exposure to the tech industry through visits to leading computer companies and learn about cutting-edge developments, meet professionals in the field, and explore potential career paths.
- Connect with fellow participants, industry experts, and alumni at an Alumni Mixer.
The Connect Abroad Headstart
Post-program competence scores reflected higher than national averages in…
(Global Perspective Inventory data, 2024)
Passport Initiative
Since 2019, the Passport Initiative has provided funding to 1,938 students for the cost of getting a U.S. passport from UGA Passport Services, up to $170.
The application is open to all UGA undergraduate students, who are U.S. citizens, and who have never received an adult passport before, available to all students regardless of their study abroad status.
SAMGrants
Open to first-year students, SAMGrants are designed to help students to design and implement individual projects modeled after the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, to be completed as part of their study abroad experiences.
Peace Corps
The University of Georgia Office of Global Engagement and Peace Corps’ Office of University Programs is pleased to offer the Peace Corps Prep Certificate, available to UGA undergraduate students. The program will enable you to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to serve in your preferred program area as a Peace Corps Volunteer.
The Office of Global Engagement supports first-year students as they navigate their paths to global citizenship at UGA.
At a Glance
awarded to first-year students
(Connect Abroad and Passport Initiative)
studied abroad in 2024
Global Citizenship courses
Global Citizenship students
The statistics below represent the first-year students involved in each of our initiatives, Connect Abroad and the First Year Odyssey Global Citizenship Cluster.
Freshman student retention
First-generation college student
First-year study abroad participation has increased by 4 times in the past 2 years:
pre-initiative students
first-year students participating in study abroad
Connect Abroad is supported by the Office of Experiential Learning, the Parent’s Leadership Council and Georgia Women Give to provide first-year students with funds for their first-year study abroad experiences.
Year 1
Year 2
Explore UGA Study Abroad
Ready to expand your campus? Students can start getting involved with International UGA as soon as their first week of classes.
Browse tools, clubs, and organizations dedicated to promoting international education below.
GoAbroad Chat
Go Abroad chat makes it easy to get your study abroad questions answered by our Junior Advisors and Global Education Ambassadors. They’ve been in your shoes before and are here to help you study abroad! You can also join communities sorted by program, UGA Faculty and more.
GELC
The Global Education & Leadership Certificate is designed to give students returning from international studies the opportunity to further those experiences in a meaningful way. Participants will complete requirements that contribute to leadership development and help them integrate global experiences into their academic, personal, and professional lives. This is an excellent way to demonstrate to future employers the experiences you gained through studying away!
Xchanged Life
Xchanged Life is aimed at creating the best possible experience for UGA’s incoming exchange students. They plan to enhance their social life and connection with current UGA students by hosting frequent meetings, events, and social activities like group dinners and hiking excursions.
International Student Life
ISL hosts a variety of events that celebrate international students and internationalization at UGA including International Street Fest and International Coffee Hour (a weekly event). ISL also organizes World Leaders, a student position that provides a unique opportunity to have a positive impact on newly admitted international students while also developing leadership, communication, and teamwork skills.
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