Global Passports Learning Community (GPLC) is a Living-Learning Community located in Manchester Hall on Kent State’s campus. GPLC is designed for domestic and international students who have a desire to experience and share an international living experience. Students interested in foreign languages, cultural area studies, overseas study and travel, political science, and the various aspects of international relations, or those who are interested in learning about other cultures may choose to become a part of Global Passports as well.
The purpose of this Global Passports Learning Community is to provide a cross-cultural experience for students interested in broadening their understanding of world issues and cultures. This concept is strengthened by the expectation that its residents actively participate in the organization and implementation of cross-cultural programming. Such an environment serves to further enhance the building of an inter-culture community. Programs include slide presentations, cultural events, study breaks, and discussions of international issues through interactive educational activities and a whole week of programming dedicated to diversity.
Not only will residents share a common interest, but they will also share the responsibility of making the Global Passports Learning Community a success. Most importantly, Global Passports members will find a sense of closeness, community and support that provides a home-away-from-home environment. This is a great way to learn about other cultures!
This community will be full of different people. You can’t live here without picking up little pieces of different cultures and a little foreign vocabulary.
Global Passports brings together international and domestic students to live and learn in a joint environment. It is an opportunity for students to live and study with students from around the world.
Global Passports members have competed in a regional World Quest competition testing their geography and current events skills. Participants have traveled to Columbus to watch a Columbus Crew soccer match. Members are invited each fall to attend the local Russian festival.
International student participants have also shared ethnic food, traditional outfits, photos from home, and artifacts from around the world. Global Passports students watch international films, share world music selections, and learn dance from other countries.
“I like the sense of getting together with others from different countries. We kind of share the same concerns, dreams, and ambitions. We feel connected”
-Ali Hussein, Senior English Major
Global Passports Learning Community is open to all majors and is typically comprised of students majoring in Anthropology, Geography, International relations, Language Studies (French, German, Japanese, Spanish, etc.), Pan-African Studies, Political Science, or Translation.
Debra Lyons
Global Passports Learning Community Coordinator
Officer of International Affairs, 106 Van Campen
djlyons@kent.edu
Phone: 330-672-0917
Fax: 330-672-4025
Global Passports (under Residence Life directory) or our Facebook Group: Global Passports Learning Community