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We are inquisitive.
We are innovative.
We are driven.
We are optimistic.
We are global.

EXPLORE OUR PARTNERS

The Office of Global Affairs (OGA) is a hybrid administrative-academic unit and UConn’s gateway to the world.

Through our efforts, we strive to foster a sense of global-mindedness at UConn and beyond by designing and facilitating life-transformative education and research that address real world problems including human rights, social justice, and sustainable development.

BY THE NUMBERS

180+

Institutional
global partnerships

50+

Countries represented
in partnerships

9th

Ranking for top
national public universities

The Wall Street Journal (Sept. '23)

100+

Countries represented
in student enrollment

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EXPERIENTIAL GLOBAL LEARNING

The Experiential Global Learning (EGL) office offers opportunities for students to study internationally, domestically, and virtually with over 100+ curated programs and internships spanning all seven continents. These opportunities allow students to develop an awareness of what can be done with what is learned and a sense of empowerment from having successfully applied knowledge to authentic problems in the real world.

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CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND SCHOLARS

The Center for International Students and Scholars (CISS) serves as a hub for international students and visiting scholars to receive immigration support and engage in specially curated intercultural programs and activities. Housed within this Center are International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS), Intercultural Programs and Support, and the University of Connecticut American English Language Institute (UCAELI).

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GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS AND OUTREACH

The Global Partnerships & Outreach (GPO) team works in collaboration with faculty and university administrators around the world to advance UConn’s global initiatives through partnership. With over 180 global partners, relationship building within the UConn community and its international partnerships is promoted by the GPO team through programming, research opportunities, and collaboration with university units.

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GLOBAL TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE

The Global Training and Development Institute (GTDI) offers academic services and specialized training to international students and professionals through exchange programs across multiple disciplines. Since 1961, more than 10,000 government officials, business and non-profit leaders, and university students from over 130 countries have participated in the Institute's educational and training programs.

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GLADSTEIN FAMILY HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTE

The Gladstein Family Human Rights Institute currently offers one of the largest undergraduate majors and minors in human rights, a Graduate Certificate in Human Rights, and sponsors three thematic research clusters centered on health & human rights, humanitarianism & economic and social rights. This institute is uniquely organized around joint faculty appointments made in partnership with many departments within UConn.

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INTERNATIONAL STUDIES ASSOCIATION

The International Studies Association (ISA) Headquarters, currently housed at the University of Connecticut (UConn), oversees daily operations and long-term planning. ISA staff manage member inquiries, programming, finances, news communication, conferences, grants, and member resources. They ensure the success of ISA's Annual Convention for 7000 members, collaborating closely with leadership for an enriching experience.

SPECIAL INITIATIVES

Abrahamic Programs

The Abrahamic Programs for Academic Collaboration in the Middle East/North Africa Region was designed to build on the long-standing Connecticut tradition of innovative thinking and scientific discovery, while promoting regional academic integration in the Middle East/North Africa Region. Through workshops and interactive activities, participants in UConn Abrahamic Programs engage deeply, exchange diverse perspectives, and forge lasting relationships while advancing scholarship and addressing critical issues.

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Jewish Hartford: European Roots

The Jewish Hartford: European Roots project delves into and shares the diverse history of European Jewish life pre-Holocaust and its impact on our region. It was created by Simon Konover, a survivor of World War II and the Holocaust, and his wife Doris based on their unwavering dedication to philanthropy, supporting various initiatives locally and globally, leaving a lasting impact on education, healthcare, and community development.

Norian Armenian Programs

The Norian Armenian Programs is to educate the UConn community and the broader public about Armenian culture and history by providing forums for Armenians and Armenian-Americans to share knowledge and traditions. This program builds partnerships with Armenian and Armenian-American institutions, in addition to supporting academic projects, research travel and publications that further the dissemination of information about Armenian culture, history and society.

Baden-Wurttemberg - Connecticut

The Baden-Wuerttemberg - Connecticut Partnership (BW- CT Exchange), established in 1989 between the State of Baden-Wuerttemberg and the State of Connecticut, facilitates educational mobility for German and American students in higher education. Administered by the Ministry of Science, Research and Arts in Baden-Wuerttemberg and initially by the Connecticut Office of Higher Education, this program allows Connecticut students from participating four-year institutions to study at designated institutions in Baden-Wuerttemberg.

Middle East Studies

Middle East Studies hosts scholarly workshops and colloquia, and offers an undergraduate minor intended to enable students to pursue a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of the Middle East from anthropological, economic, historical, literary, political, and religious perspectives. This program not only fosters academic rigor but also cultivates an understanding of cultures and histories, empowering students to navigate complexities and contribute meaningfully as global citizens.

Philosophy & Global Affairs

Philosophy and Global Affairs is an international scholarly community of researchers, centers, institutes, and activists devoted to addressing problems of global significance. This initiative has a new scholarly open-access journal that publishes research and commentary on contemporary theoretical problems of global significance, aimed to create a respected global forum for theoretical discussions accessible to academic and non-academic readers worldwide.

Decolonizing Series

The decolonizing series was started by the University of Connecticut's Office of Global Affairs and University of Nottingham’s Institute for Policy and Engagement to address issues in the educational field through various hosted panel discussions. Panelists examine universities' roles in cultivating racism and colonialism, foster critical dialogue on the present challenges in dismantling unequal narratives, and future opportunities to contribute meaningfully to an anti-racist and anti-colonial agenda. In addition, a toolkit is available to further educate others.

Mindfulness, Spirituality and Planetary Health

Mindfulness, Spirituality, and Planetary Health is an international collaboration connecting human consciousness with awareness of ecosystems. Research shows that time in nature enhances physical and emotional health, especially when actively engaged. Mindfulness, reinforced by neuroscience, fosters awareness of both inner and outer environments—personal tendencies and Earth's ecosystems.

Technion Clean Energy Initiative

The UConn-Technion Clean Energy Initiative facilitates the exchange of faculty and students, between UConn and the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, to present and collaborate on research.  UConn and Technion are recognized leaders in energy engineering and education, and both are committed to advancing global adoption of clean and efficient energy technologies.

MEMBERSHIPS

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