XVII Congress of the Brazilian Studies Association

Cultivating Global Competence in Undergraduates: Insights from an International Sustainable Energy Program in Brazil

• In Event: US Academic Mobility in Brazil: Innovations and Advancements in International Education

Abstract

With the globalization of our world, it is important for undergraduates to not just gain an understanding of global issues that impact today’s society but become global problem solvers. To do this, students need to attain global competence, which is the ability to understand issues that affect all people, especially those who have a perceived different cultural background, and to apply these understandings in intercultural situations. One promising avenue for cultivating these capabilities in undergraduate students involves their participation in short-term, faculty-led international programs. This presentation explores the pedagogical and programmatic strategies used in an international program to Brazil that focuses on sustainable energy to foster the development of global competency skills in students.
Drawing upon the OECD Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) global competence framework and questionnaire, the evolution of global competencies among participating students was measured. The framework consists of four pillars: (1) the ability to scrutinize issues and situations of local, global, and cultural significance; (2) the capacity to comprehend and appreciate diverse perspectives and worldviews; (3) the skill to engage in open, appropriate, and effective cross-cultural interactions; and (4) the aptitude to take meaningful action toward sustainable development and collective well-being.
The results provide insights into which constructs of global competencies were strengthened in students after participating in the program. The findings suggest that such short-term international programs can be effective in developing global competencies in students, particularly in promoting cultural awareness, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.

Author

• Courtney Pfluger, Northeastern University