Global Learning at Home

Students, faculty and guests gathered virtually for the UMD Global Classrooms course “MIEH607: Risk Based Approach to Ensure Global Food Safety and Security” during the summer of 2021. 

The year 2020 will forever be remembered as a monumental period in world history. From mask mandates and curfews to the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, the ongoing global pandemic forced us to pause and make decisions based on our rapidly changing circumstances rather than relying on what had been done in the past. While we were still processing and learning from our 2020 experience, the world moved into a new calendar year. In May 2021, I experienced the most pivotal learning moment in my educational career.

The Office of International Affairs is excited to announce the launch of the office of Global Learning Initiatives (GLI). The mission of this new branch is to support UMD schools, colleges, units and programs with advancing global learning for all.

Xinyu Zhai, coordinator for the Language Partner Program at UMD, shares the value of second language acquisition as it relates to community building on campus.

Raluca Nahorniac, director of the office of Global Learning Initiatives, shares her vision for the unit, the history that made it possible, and how global learning is transforming UMD.

Natalie Vinski Ibrahim, shares her experience conducting Global Dialogues during International Education Week to promote empathy and understanding among UMD students.