Extensive Beyond the Classroom Experience

One of the following:

12 weeks of study abroad
OR
8 weeks of faculty-led study abroad
OR
6 weeks of faculty-led study abroad and a minimum of 60 hours of focused local international experiences.

Focused local international experiences require a Study Abroad Exceptions Form [pdf]. These experiences include, but are not limited to: Buddies Beyond Borders, Conversation Partners, Global Navigator Mentors, Lutheran Family Services, Carolina Survivors’ Clinic, Students Helping Honduras, Engineers Beyond Borders, Sustainable Carolina, International Student Association, Alternative Breaks, and Faculty overseen community engagements.

GLD Verification Forms are required for all off-campus experiences and for on-campus experiences without a faculty or staff mentor. More in-depth information on the GLD verification process can be found on the Apply page. Students will be ineligible for GLD for failure to submit a verification form, engagement in forgery, or for misrepresenting experiences.  

You may participate in multiple study abroad experiences in order to reach the total time requirements listed above. International students meet the core experience requirement by virtue of study at the University of South Carolina.

The Education Abroad Office can help connect you to study abroad experiences that fit within your academic and personal interests.

Enhancement Experiences

You must participate in three (3) different enhancement experiences. An enhancement experience expands your knowledge and helps you understand concepts, ideas, and topics related to your pathway. They are additional beyond-the-classroom activities, separate from the core experience, that demonstrate sustained commitment related to your pathway. You will be asked to identify the experience, its significance, and how it relates to your GLD pathway.

Enhancement experiences do not require verification from a supervisor and: 

• May be completed during a one-time event or may be an on-going experience 

• May involve active or passive attendance 

• May occur on or off-campus  

Examples include (but are not limited to): 

• Workshops, guest lectures attended outside of class, conferences, presentations, official meetings, job shadowing, leadership roles, organization membership or involvement, employment, and out-of-class events or trips 

Use the My USC Experience Database, office or department newsletters, or social media to find potential enhancement experiences related to your GLD pathway. 

Coursework

You must complete six (6) credit hours with a B or better from the approved course list for the Global Learning pathway. You may not double count your coursework toward fulfilling the core experience requirement. If you have not taken courses from the approved list, you may list and describe up to two courses (6 credit hours) that were particularly meaningful for your pathway. You should have earned a B or better for these courses. 

Presentation

You must complete a presentation demonstrating learning from a meaningful beyond the classroom experience. Your presentation must meet certain expectations such as focusing on a significant beyond-the-classroom experience, articulating what you have learned from your experience, and receiving feedback from a supervisor or mentor. Visit the Presentation page for more information on approved presentation venues and requirements. 

ePortfolio

You must complete a GLD ePortfolio demonstrating the significance of your within-and-beyond the classroom experiences. The two ways of completing the ePortfolio are taking a course that supports the creation of the GLD ePortfolio (such as Univ 401 for GLD) or by attending an ePortfolio workshop and then working with a GLD advisor.

Extensive Beyond the Classroom Experience

You must complete a minimum of 4 weeks in a global learning experience. Some domestic experiences can count as long as it occurs in a distinct culture.  At least 9 days must be spent outside of the United States. International students meet the core experience requirement by virtue of study at the University of South Carolina.

GLD Verification Forms are required for all off-campus experiences and for on-campus experiences without a faculty or staff mentor. More in-depth information on the GLD verification process can be found on the Apply page. Students will be ineligible for GLD for failure to submit a verification form, engagement in forgery, or for misrepresenting experiences.  

Enhancement Experiences

You must participate in two (2) different enhancement experiences. An enhancement experience expands your knowledge and helps you understand concepts, ideas, and topics related to your pathway. They are additional beyond-the-classroom activities, separate from the core experience, that demonstrate sustained commitment related to your pathway. You will be asked to identify the experience, its significance, and how it relates to your GLD pathway.

Enhancement experiences do not require verification from a supervisor and: 

• May be completed during a one-time event or may be an on-going experience 

• May involve active or passive attendance 

• May occur on or off-campus  

Examples include (but are not limited to): 

• Workshops, guest lectures attended outside of class, conferences, presentations, official meetings, job shadowing, leadership roles, organization membership or involvement, employment, and out-of-class events or trips 

Use the My USC Experience Database, office or department newsletters, or social media to find potential enhancement experiences related to your GLD pathway. 

Coursework

You must complete three (3) credit hours with a B or better from the approved course list for the Global Learning pathway. You may not double count your coursework toward fulfilling the core experience requirement. If you have not taken courses from the approved list, you may list and describe a course (3 credit hours) that was particularly meaningful for your pathway. You should have earned a B or better in this course. 

Presentation

You must complete a presentation demonstrating learning from a meaningful beyond the classroom experience. Your presentation must meet certain expectations such as focusing on a significant beyond-the-classroom experience, articulating what you have learned from your experience, and receiving feedback from a supervisor or mentor. Visit the Presentation page for more information on approved presentation venues and requirements. 

ePortfolio

You must complete a GLD ePortfolio demonstrating the significance of your within-and-beyond the classroom experiences. The two ways of completing the ePortfolio are taking a course that supports the creation of the GLD ePortfolio (such as Univ 401 for GLD) or by attending an ePortfolio workshop and then working with a GLD advisor.

Extensive Beyond the Classroom Experience

You must complete at least 18 weeks, in study abroad experience. You may combine multiple study abroad experiences to meet the minimum 18 week requirement. International students meet the core experience requirement by virtue of study at the University of South Carolina.

GLD Verification Forms are required for all off-campus experiences and for on-campus experiences without a faculty or staff mentor. More in-depth information on the GLD verification process can be found on the Apply page. Students will be ineligible for GLD for failure to submit a verification form, engagement in forgery, or for misrepresenting experiences.  

The Office of Study Abroad can help connect you to study abroad experiences that fit within your academic and personal interests.

Enhancement Experiences

You must participate in four (4) different enhancement experiences. An enhancement experience expands your knowledge and helps you understand concepts, ideas, and topics related to your pathway. They are additional beyond-the-classroom activities, separate from the core experience, that demonstrate sustained commitment related to your pathway. You will be asked to identify the experience, its significance, and how it relates to your GLD pathway.

Enhancement experiences do not require verification from a supervisor and: 

• May be completed during a one-time event or may be an on-going experience 

• May involve active or passive attendance 

• May occur on or off-campus  

Examples include (but are not limited to): 

• Workshops, guest lectures attended outside of class, conferences, presentations, official meetings, job shadowing, leadership roles, organization membership or involvement, employment, and out-of-class events or trips 

Use the My USC Experience Database, office or department newsletters, or social media to find potential enhancement experiences related to your GLD pathway. 

Coursework

You must complete nine (9) credit hours with a B or better from the approved course list for the Global Learning pathway. You may not double count your coursework toward fulfilling the core experience requirement. If you have not taken courses from the approved list, you may list and describe up to three courses (9 credit hours) that were particularly meaningful for your pathway. You should have earned a B or better for these courses. 

Presentation

You must complete a presentation demonstrating learning from a meaningful beyond the classroom experience. Your presentation must meet certain expectations such as focusing on a significant beyond-the-classroom experience, articulating what you have learned from your experience, and receiving feedback from a supervisor or mentor. Visit the Presentation page for more information on approved presentation venues and requirements. 

ePortfolio

You must complete a GLD ePortfolio demonstrating the significance of your within-and-beyond the classroom experiences. The two ways of completing the ePortfolio are taking a course that supports the creation of the GLD ePortfolio (such as Univ 401 for GLD) or by attending an ePortfolio workshop and then working with a GLD advisor.