Bringing the World to the Maryville College Campus
Goals:
- Integrate meaningful global experiences (here and abroad) into the curriculum and campus life.
- Work closely with other college departments, offices, groups and individuals to enhance the global learning environment at Maryville College.
- Provide all students (not just those who study abroad) the benefits of an international higher education.
- Offer students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to learn about and interact with cultures different from their own.
- Create intentional programs (“connection spaces”) to facilitate cross-cultural dialogue and build global competency among all students, faculty and staff.
What is Global Engagement?
Global engagement includes a wide range of activities from curricular and co-curricular programming to international student, faculty and staff recruiting. Global awareness and global competence are essential skills in today’s interconnected world. An enhanced global brand will position us well to address complex issues of our time and to engage in meaningful and impactful partnerships.
Below are some of our ongoing programs.
Global Citizenship Organization (GCO)
The Global Citizenship Organization (otherwise known as GCO) strives to promote intercultural exchange between multicultural students, faculty and staff on the Maryville college campus and raise cultural tradition awareness amongst the Maryville College Community. Each semester GCO hosts a number of international events, campus-wide and for the international community. Past events have included: International Dance Parties, Global Showcases, National Holiday Celebrations, International Education Month events and Fashion Show, Cultural Performers. The club also does community service to give back to the local community.
Find us at World Cup Coffee during the academic year on Tuesdays @ 3:30pm at International House every other Tuesday.
Global Showcases
Celebrating Culture. Building Connection. Inspiring Curiosity.
Global Showcases at Maryville College are dynamic, student-led events designed to celebrate the rich cultural diversity of our campus community. These interactive experiences invite international and globally-minded students to share meaningful aspects of their culture—through storytelling, music, traditional attire, language, food, dance, and more.
Rather than relying on traditional presentations, participants are encouraged to create engaging, interactive displays that invite conversation and curiosity. Whether it’s teaching a few steps of a traditional dance, demonstrating calligraphy, offering a sensory “spice exploration,” or sharing personal stories and artifacts, Global Showcases are about making global learning come alive in accessible and memorable ways.
Each showcase fosters dialogue, encourages mutual respect, and creates space for authentic cultural exchange. These events are open to the campus community and designed to spark new perspectives and deeper understanding among students, faculty, and staff.
By participating in or attending a Global Showcase, you’re not just learning about the world—you’re connecting with it. Follow GCO on instagram to learn about current events or email us at International House.
iMentor Program
The iMentor program connects new international students with returning US and international Maryville College students. Our main goal is cultural and conversation exchange; however, it is really about helping new international students as they prepare to arrive and in their initial adjustment to Maryville College.
New International Students: joining the iMentor program will give you an opportunity to:
* Adjust to and learn about Maryville College and life in the U.S.A. and East Tennessee.
* Share your own culture with local students.
* Develop language skills.
* Get involved with new activities, make new friends and have fun!
US & Returning International Students – joining the iMentor program as a mentor will provide an opportunity to:
- Get involved with new activities, make new friends and have fun!
- Learn about other cultures
- Work on your foreign language skills
- Provide service to new international students to the college
- Build global competency, leadership and communication skills.
Reach out to international@maryvillecollege.edu for more information
Study Abroad Ambassadors
The Study Abroad Ambassadors (SAA) is a student organization on campus that allows returned study abroad students a place to continue their learning and share their experiences from abroad. It is also a place for students interested in travel and study abroad to begin learning about the study abroad process and better inform themselves about the opportunities they may have abroad. The team empowers students to build on their global experience, and helps their fellow students develop an international scope within their academic experience. This is a great opportunity for students who want to build global competency, written and oral communication skills, deepen their knowledge of social media marketing, and plan outreach events and marketing campaigns to make study abroad more accessible for all students. We love to plan fun activities to create a culture of travel on campus.
International Education Month
International Education Month at Maryville College is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange right here at home. It is part of our efforts to promote programs that prepare U.S. Americans for a global environment and encourage interaction with international students and their cultures. This is our extended edition of the US State Department and Department of Education International Education Week initiative
Global+ Program
The Maryville College Global+ Program is designed to strengthen and improve undergraduate instruction in international studies and foreign language at Maryville College by increasing global/intercultural competencies across the curriculum. This program was developed with the help of a US Department of Education UISFL Grant.