What is so special about us?

The Global Fellowship is not a language course, a study trip or a work placement.  It is a holistic experience, a journey of discovery, a new conversation.  The six-weeks spent overseas is only the beginning of a new way of seeing and interacting with the world. 

Who is a Global Fellow?

Fellows are selected from across the country and all backgrounds.  Our selection is not based on academic criteria, but we do look for self-starters and potential leaders motivated by seeing and experiencing other cultures, young people with strong communication skills, and those with an open-minded attitude which responds well to unfamiliar situations.  We want people who are up for the challenge of starting a new conversation with the rest of the world about what the future means to them, their neighbourhood, the UK as well as our global community.

Globalisation in all its forms is something that is not going away and the problems we are facing - economic slowdown, the inequality between rich and poor and climate change - will all have to involve global solutions.  The fact that these issues are so complex and interwoven means that they require a level of global concerted effort on an unprecedented scale.  This programme is a fantastic vehicle for a new and improved model of dialogue and working, which will come out of a greater understanding of how and why nations such as Brazil, China and India are developing at such a pace. 

Fellows spend six weeks in Brazil, China or India learning first-hand about the social, economic and environmental impact of globalisation. Their time away is split roughly into three parts, although the issues arising from all three are interwoven and interdependent.

Language and culture

Language is an enormously important element of culture and learning new languages helps build understanding between us as well as being an important tool for boosting self-confidence.  For two weeks at the beginning of their time overseas, all Fellows study the language of their host country in a structured classroom environment...which they are encouraged to take out onto the street! 

In conjunction with this language tuition, Fellows are taken through a series of experiences designed to highlight traditions, as well as modern culture, to underline the pace of change in these three very exciting societies.

I'm not sure exactly what my expectations were before this programme but so far I'm seeing a really ancient and diverse culture here. One minute we're at really impressive pieces of architecture such as the Lotus temple and the next we could be walking past groups of people sleeping on the street under nets

Luke, Fellow 2009

At our review session with Graeme on Friday we were asked to think about some questions. One being "What has this week taught you about yourself and where you live?" This week has taught me that if I truly believe something in the world is wrong then I can't just keep quiet about it. Many people I have met here believe the same things and if we all spoke to others about them then there will be more chance of change.

Sonny, Fellow 2009

Family and school life

Education systems across the world vary. By experiencing school life while living with a host family, Fellows get the opportunity to compare how education can shape the expectations of young people on opposite sides of the world. 

Living with a host family can sound like a daunting exerience, especially if you've not left your own very much before. We're not exaggerating however, when we say that what most Fellows find most challenging they also remember as the most positive and exciting part of their experience.  How else would you get so close to understanding another culture and society?

When I first walked into the family home two weeks ago, I was really nervous and uneasy about how to conduct myself – my worst fear was doing something which was perfectly normal to me, but offensive to them or their culture. Fortunately nothing like that happened! What I got instead was a warm welcome, an abundance of food, unparalleled hospitality and an experience second to none. Staying with the family for as long as two weeks has given me an incredible grounding on how an Indian family lives: what they do, what they eat, what they prioritise and how they generally approach life. It was an opportunity to experience Indian life at first hand and not simply being told how Indians live their life or looking through the window’s of a hotel into India, but not really actually tasting real India.

Kawsar, Fellow 2009

Working in a global economy

Fellows spend two weeks with a global company learning about what the reality of a global marketplace means for a successful business. 

This part of the programme is not a work experience placement but is rather a chance to open your mind to the realities of living and working in a global economy which is changing at an unprecedented rate.  Our aim is neither to promote 'big business' nor stifle discussion.  We seek instead to work with Fellows to discuss the realities of what it will mean for young people looking to live and work in the 21st century global economy.

So these students are driven, and that’s just in the arts class - apparently the science students are even more determined on their specific career choice! There’s such a high level of competition being borne out of this developing economy that I wonder if, fifteen years down the line, will the UK be able to compete and succeed in the jobs market?

Rebecca, Fellow 2009

We saw that business, especially in China, is developed on a lot of levels. While it does depend on efficiency, demand and all the other economics A-level access words, a large part of it depends on people skills. When working in China, for example, it is incredibly important for companies to have personal relationships with the people they do business with. This makes trading both more trustworthy for the buyer, and easier (and more beneficial) for the company.

Alistair, Fellow 2009