Branches

International

The International branch of UH Global welcomes students and visiting scholars from around the world to study and work at the University of Houston.

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Learning Abroad

Learning Abroad facilitates travel across the globe through a number of international learning opportunities, including faculty-led programs, traditional study abroad programs, research opportunities, internships, volunteer opportunities, non-credit experiential learning programs, service learning programs, and exchange programs.

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Global Initiatives

The Global Initiatives office facilitates collaborations around the world through strategic partnerships, scholarships, and grants.

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Global Citizens Credential 

The Global Citizens Credential (GCC) allows UH students to enhance their undergraduate degrees with a set of core global competencies that distinguish them as global citizens. UH students who participate in the GCC will gain new perspectives and knowledge of different countries and cultures. The GCC can promote future success in an increasingly competitive workforce and interconnected world. It allows students to stand-out when applying to jobs and also helps to increase their level of global engagement and responsibility on the UH campus, within local communities, and beyond. UH students who graduate with the GCC will receive a transcript notation, a signed certificate, and an honor cord. 

Students interested in completing the GCC should click the button below to register: 

REGISTER NOW!

Eligibility and Criteria

The GCC is open to any UH undergraduate student in good academic standing reflected by a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or above and who is not currently facing any disciplinary action. In order to receive the GCC, the student needs to earn a minimum of 10 points through participation in any or all of these categories: Global Courses, Learning Abroad, Language Proficiency, Global Scholarly Work, and/or Intercultural Activities. More information about how points are awarded can be found below. Students are required to register points with a Verification of Completion form. After earning 10 points, the student must attend a Capstone Symposium before graduation. 

Earning Points Towards the GCC

• Global Courses (4 or 2 points) Students can be awarded for either an approved global major or minor at 4 points or by taking a global course for 1 point each up to 2 points. 
  • 4 points – Successful completion of UH approved global major/minor.
    • List of Approved Majors and Minors
  • 2 points - Successful completion (C or higher) of two upper-level global courses from the approved list of global area courses. The course list is not exhaustive and students can submit a syllabus to UH Global to determine whether a course can be approved.
    • List of Approved Courses

• Learning Abroad (4 or 2 points) Students can be awarded points for a UH academic program overseas (e.g. faculty-led, reciprocal exchange, or affiliated program) or with a documented professional activity abroad (e.g. internship, research, service learning, or volunteerism). Points are given based on the length of the program. 
  
  • 4 points – For an academic or professional learning experience abroad over one week in length
  • 2 points – For an academic or professional learning experience abroad of one week (7 days) or less

• Language Proficiency (4 or 2 points) Students can be awarded points for either having a foreign language major or minor at 4 points or by taking a upper division foreign language course for 1 point each up to 2 points. 
  • 4 points – Successful completion of any foreign language major/minor.
  • 2 points – Successful completion of two sophomore-level (intermediate) classes with at least a “B” or two junior-level (advanced) classes with at least a “C” foreign language courses taken either at UH or as part of a language immersion program where UH credit is awarded
    • List of Approved Courses
    • Or if a student already speaks a language other than English, the student can take a placement exam or have his or her proficiency determined by a UH faculty member to earn 2 points.

• Global Scholarly Work (1 or 2 points) Students can fulfill the requirements for this category either locally, throughout the U.S., or abroad. Students must provide written documentation as proof of participation, such as an email verification by the event organizer or supervising professor/staff member or by using our documentation form below. 
  
  • 2 points – Participating in undergraduate research on any subject with a global focus for a minimum of four weeks or by authoring or co-authoring a scholarly work with international collaborators such as foreign embassies, multinational enterprises, non-governmental organizations, or research and development institutes.
  • 1 point – Attendance or participation in two conference, seminar, symposia, or workshop that involves a global, multicultural, or international dimension. Some options are included below: 
    • Fall 2018 Global Scholarly Events
    • GCC Documentation Form

• Intercultural Activities (1 or 2 points) Students can fulfill the requirements for this category either locally, throughout the U.S., or abroad. Students must provide written documentation as proof of participation, such as an email verification by the event organizer or supervising professor/staff member or by using our documentation form below. 
  • 2 points – Taking a leadership role in an on- or off-campus international organization or event.
  • 1 point – Active participation in at least two multicultural, global, or international events. Some options are included below: 
    • Fall 2018 Intercultural Activities
    • GCC Documentation Form

Verification of Completion Form 

After completing 10 points, the student should complete a 'Verification of Completion' form by clicking the button below to submit information and documentation to register points. UH Global will verify the total points and follow up if additional information or documentation is needed.

Verification of Completion

Capstone Symposium

After earning 10 points, the student is also required to participate in a Capstone Symposium prior to graduation. The Capstone Symposium is the final step in completing the GCC.

The Capstone is a three hour debrief session where GCC students share their global experiences, explore global issues and theories, discuss the effects of globalization, and reflect upon what it means to be a 'global citizen'. 

UH Global offers a few Capstone Symposium options every semester. Students are eligible to register after confirming a minimum of 8 points. Students can register for a Capstone Symposium by clicking the button below:

Sign up for a Capstone Symposium

All Capstones will be held in the UH Global office in Ezekiel W. Cullen Building, Suite 101 unless otherwise noted. 

For More Information

For questions, please contact us at uhglobal@uh.edu.

Students are also welcome to schedule an advising appointment or drop by the UH Global Office at E. W. Cullen Building, Suite 101.

For more information, we invite you to attend one of our upcoming GCC Info Sessions:

Media Relations

Press Releases

• UH Students Selected as Boren Scholarship Recipients
• UH Conference Highlights European Energy Issues - Southern Gas Corridor 
• Provost Short Champions Alliance Between UH and Swansea University 
• Swansea University Scholars Showcasing Research at UH
• UH Funds Scholarships for Students to Study in China
• UH to launch Passport for Coogs' Initiative
• UH Hosts President of Croatia during recent visit to U.S.
• Provost approves scholarship fund to stregthen study abroad participation

Media Placement

• UH Chinese Studies Major Receives First Place in  Hanyu Qiao
• Istoé Dinheiro - BBR Texas Report 
• Azerbaijan Center - Quarterly Newsletter Jan - March 2015

Global News

• UH to host first three days of Swansea University Texas Showcase October 26-28, 2014
• UH strengthens ties with Swansea University with MOU signing 
• UH signs MOU with University of Zagreb in Croatia 

Resources

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Process for Establishing International Affiliations

Any formal collaboration such as a Memorandum of Understanding, an Articulation Agreement, or a Contract between UH and a foreign institution requires the endorsement of UH Global, the Office of the Provost and, if necessary, the Office of the General Counsel before it can be implemented. The Process for Establishing International Affiliations assists UH faculty and administrators through the required steps in establishing formal collaborations.

Global Faculty Development Fund

The Global Faculty Development Fund (GFDF) was established to further faculty involvement in the globalization process of the university. This Provost initiative will increase both the assortment and quality of UH’s global programs by helping faculty to defray the costs of engaging in innovative global activities.

• Global Faculty Development Fund Guidelines
• Proposal form
• Memo to Deans and Department Chairs

Germany Today 2018: Getting to know Germany’s Universities of Applied Sciences

German Academic Exchange Service’s “DAAD” information tour “Germany Today” is designed to give participants a broader overview of Germany’s higher education landscape. During this tour, June 17 – June 23, 2018, a special focus will be on German Universities of Applied Sciences. Interested faculty members should contact Jaime Ortiz at jortiz22@central.uh.edu to participate.

Erasmus+ Faculty Mobility Grant

Swansea University is offering Erasmus+ faculty mobility grants for faculty from Texas Strategic Partnership universities to undertake short teaching visits to Swansea University.

UH Global Advisory Committee

FAQs

What is Global Strategies and Studies?

Global Strategies and Studies – commonly referred to as GSS is the centralized global leadership team at the University of Houston. GSS facilitates resources and assistance for all global operations at the university, and functions as a clearing house for all formal university international business. International Student and Scholar Services, Learning Abroad and Global Initiatives reside under GSS.

What does International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) do?

ISSS facilitates all aspects of accepted incoming international students, faculty and dependents coming to the university. This includes providing visa and support services related to a student’s non-immigrant status while attending the university. More information on International Student and Scholar Services.

What does Learning Abroad (LA) do?

LA facilitates all aspects of preparing and processing student undertaking an overseas learning program, including reciprocal exchange with partnership institutions. More information on Learning Abroad.

What does Global Initiatives (GI) do?

GI provides support services to university faculty and staff by furthering strategic engagement with the international community through outreach both locally and overseas with the Houston area consulate general offices, international centers, organizations, schools and clubs, and business and university partnerships, among others. It is prmilarily involved with the operational activities such as international recruitment, program management and marketing operations, and global opportunities assessment associated with raising the global profile of the university. More information on Global Initiatives

What is a Memorandum of Understanding?

Commonly referred to as an MOU, a Memorandum of Understanding is the formal agreement between UH and another entity, typically with a foreign institution of higher education, that allows the two parties to enter into a protective state for the sharing of ideas, research, faculty and staff exchanges, and allow for free discussion on the development of specific programs. This is typically facilitated at the college level and approved at the provost level.

What is a Memorandum of Agreement?

Commonly referred to as an MOA, a Memorandum of Agreement is the formal and legal articulation of specific programs, research or directives that are the result or extension of an MOU with the same entity. An MOA is typically facilitated by GSS and approved by  UH Legal Affairs. Some other variations are defined as Articulation Agreements (AA) or Addendum to a Memorandum of Understanding, which are also used for the legal articulation of specific programs, research or directives, among others. 

What is the process for establishing an international institutional partnership?

Instructions on establishing an international institutional partnership.

For any additional questions not answered here, please contact Global Strategies and Studies at gss@uh.edu.