Global Proficiency Program
Boston College
www.bc.edu/gp
global@bc.edu
What is the GP (Global
Proficiency Program)?
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A certificate program for students interested in
international and multicultural issues
Sponsored by the Office of International Students and Scholars
and the Office of International Programs
The GP program is unique because it integrates and allows
for reflection on many areas of a BC student’s life which
could otherwise be isolated experiences
Goals of the GP Program
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To internationalize the campus by encouraging students
to take international courses and engage in international
activities
To bridge the gap (for students and administrators)
between academic and student affairs
To help students take a more holistic approach to
learning and to integrate their various college
experiences
To validate and reward students who have chosen to
develop a global perspective by officially documenting
and promoting their achievements
What are the
Requirements?
 Abroad
Experience
 Academics
 Activities and Service
 Reflection Project
Abroad Experience
A semester or year study abroad
 Volunteer, service or immersion trip
abroad
 Internship abroad
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Academics
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Language Component
-2 courses beyond requirement of their
school (A&S, CSOM, etc.)
- In any language at any level
- Languages courses may be taken abroad
Academics
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Humanities Component
-2 courses with an international or multicultural focus
Social Science, Education, Business Component
-2 courses with an international or multicultural focus
 Must be taken at BC
 Can also count for core and major requirements
Activities and Service
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3 international or multicultural activities
1 international or multicultural service activity
Examples:
-international service trip, ESL tutor, International Assistant,
active member of intercultural club
1 activity (not the service) can be replaced by attending 5 events
and lectures focused on global or multicultural issues
Monthly newsletter to inform students of many of these
opportunities
Reflection Project
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Senior year
Make connections between student’s
experiences in all 3 aspects of the GP program
Examples:
- Presentation to class, club, friends
- Website
- Photo Journal
- Article or editorial published in the school
newspaper
- Reflective essay
Why Should Students
Complete the Global
Proficiency Program?
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Helps students to pay conscious attention to a
range of experiences relating to their interest in
international and multicultural issues
Encourages students to integrate their interest in
international and multicultural issues into many
aspects of their life at BC
Allows for reflection on their experiences
Gives students a truer understanding of
international issues, their own views, and
themselves than participation in any isolated
aspect of the program would allow for
Documents and certifies their accomplishments
to graduate schools, employers, volunteer
programs, etc.
Official GP Transcript
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Graduates receive an official transcript
outlining their experiences and
achievements in the GP program. This
is signed by BC’s Vice President of
Student Affairs and the Provost
Resume-like and can be submitted in
addition to a resume and cover letter, or
graduate school application
Makes student stand out as an
exceptional applicant to prospective
employers, internship opportunities,
graduate schools, and volunteer
positions
Official Transcript
Boston College’s Global Proficiency Program
Marjolein van Paridon
I.
International Experience
Paris Summer Language Program; Paris, France
 Participated in intensive language program
II.
Academic Component
Languages: Dutch, Spanish, French, Japanese, & Portuguese
 Fluent in Dutch
 Advanced Placement in Spanish
 3 college courses in French
 2 college courses in Japanese
 Conversational Portuguese
Hu manities Courses:
 Gods and Heroes in Far Eastern Literatures
 Challenge of Justice
 Islamic Civ ilization
 Philosophy of Health Science: East and West
III.
May-June 2002
Social Science, Business, Education Courses :
 Globalization and the Media
 Cultural Psychology
 Peace or War: US and 3rd World Relations
Co-curricular Activities
Acti vi ty 1: Resident, Romance Language Floor; Boston College
September 2002-May 2003
 Description: Lived with other students committed to speaking French or Spanish. Part icipated in weekly cultural events
including cooking, music, and art.
 Skills: Improved French and Spanish language skills. Demonstrated strong cross -cultural co mpetency skills.
 Time Co mmit ment: 1-2 hours per week for 30 weeks
Acti vi ty 2: Fil m Maker, Sao Pi o X Documentary; Ceres Brazil
January 2004-May 2005
 Description: Created a documentary examining the topic of hu manizing health care, especially for the poor in Brazil.
Interned with Channel 46 to prepare to make the documentary. Traveled to Brazil for three months to research and film
the documentary. Interviewed staff and patients; participated in planning sessions about the humanization movement.
 Skills: Utilized Portuguese language and cross -cultural commun ication skills. Demonstrated strong organizational,
research, and interpersonal skills.
 Time Co mmit ment: 15-40 hours per week for 25 weeks
Acti vi ty 3: ES L Teacher, Boston College Neighborhood Center; Brighton, MA
September 2004-April 2005
 Description: Responsible for team teaching a weekly ESL class to a group of adult students from a variety of d ifferent
countries and cultures. Designed lesson plans for mu lti-level students fro m diverse language backgrounds. Instruction
included topics about American culture, finding a job, applying for cit izenship, and other continuing education
opportunities.
 Skills: Developed teaching skills. Utilized strong Romance language skills .
 Time Co mmit ment: 2 hours per week for 30 weeks
Service Project: Volunteer, New Engl and Medical Center; Boston, MA
October 2004 -April 2005
 Description: Volunteered in the emergency department at the New England Medical Center, a hospital located in
downtown Boston that serves a very diverse population.
 Skills: Utilized time -management and mu lti-tasking skills. Imp roved cross -cultural co mmunication skills and learned
med ical Spanish language skills.
 Time Co mmit ment: 10 hours per week for 30 weeks
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Cheryl Presley,
Vice President for Student Affairs
Boston College
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John Neuhauser,
Academic Vice President
Boston College
What are students doing that have
completed the GP Program?
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Fulbright Scholars
ESL Teachers
Peace-corps Volunteers
Investment Bankers
Doctors
Working abroad
Graduate School
MUCH MORE!!!!
The Global Proficiency Program
beyond B.C.
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The BC Global Proficiency Program, established in 1999, was the first of its
kind.
In 2006 the GP Program won the NASPA, Student Affairs Administrators in
Higher Education, national award for best practices in campus based
international programming.
It has been used as a model at over 30 colleges and universities in the U.S.
and abroad and is now being used as a model in high schools including the:
Needham High School Global Competence Program
established in 2007