Bridging Borders: The Impact of an Internationalized Curriculum
Developing Globally Minded Students
In 2020, Indiana University Indianapolis (IUI) and Ivy Tech Community College collaboratively implemented the Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language (UISFL) program, funded by the U.S. Department of Education. The primary objective was to internationalize the undergraduate curriculum, enhance student global awareness, and foster pathways toward global engagement through First-Year Seminars (FYS) and Student Success courses.
This initiative aimed to develop globally minded students by embedding intercultural competencies into coursework, facilitating professional development for faculty, and promoting student mobility through study abroad programs. Core objectives included:
- Global Learning Integration: Embed global learning modules into the first-year curriculum.
- Seamless Pathways: Strengthen the global learning bridge between Ivy Tech and IUI students.
- Engagement Sustainability: Increase students’ participation in global learning pathways beyond the first year.
An In-Depth Evaluation
Both institutions teamed up with TPMA to deliver a dynamic, in-depth evaluation of the program’s impact from 2020-2024.
Our team crafted an innovative evaluation methodology that uncovered students’ evolving perceptions of global awareness and curiosity, tracked their engagement in globally focused activities beyond the FYS, and revealed new insights into their global experiences.
Expansion in Perspective and Passion
TPMA’s evaluation uncovered several pivotal outcomes, including:
• Global Awareness: Students reported increased cultural awareness, interactions with diverse people, and understanding of globalization’s impact on their lives.
• SDG Awareness: 78% of IUI students in 2023-2024 stated that learning about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) enhanced their awareness of global issues.
• Increased Global Interest: Both Ivy Tech and IUI students expressed new enthusiasm for world events and cultures, although fewer students reported actively following global news.
Additionally, we found that nearly half of IUI students actively pursued global opportunities—such as enrolling in international courses or securing internships—after completing an internationalized FYS. In contrast, Ivy Tech students were less inclined to engage in global activities, often citing external challenges like work commitments or family responsibilities. Despite a strong interest in study abroad and internships, financial barriers and rigid course structures limited many students’ ability to participate fully.
The program demonstrated a particularly significant impact on Black, Hispanic, and multiracial students, outpacing engagement levels among White and Asian participants. Liberal arts students emerged as the most engaged, leveraging the flexibility of their programs to explore global activities, while students in more structured fields, such as kinesiology, faced greater constraints. Female students consistently reported higher participation than their male counterparts, although the gap narrowed within global FYS cohorts.
Strategic Recommendations for the Future
TPMA equipped the UISFL program with strategic recommendations to sustain and amplify its mission of strengthening global learning foundations and fostering intercultural competencies. These forward-looking strategies are designed to ensure continued growth and impact:
- Continued Faculty Development: Elevate staff training programs to seamlessly integrate global themes across a broader range of disciplines, fostering a culture of global engagement in every academic field.
- Targeted Support for Non-Traditional Students: Develop innovative, flexible programs tailored to meet the unique needs of students balancing work, family, and education, ensuring equitable access to global learning opportunities.
- Expanded Financial Incentives: Broaden the reach of scholarships and financial aid to eliminate barriers to study abroad, internships, and other global experiences, empowering more students to participate.
- Strengthened Institutional Collaboration: Deepen partnerships between IUI and Ivy Tech, streamlining student transitions and aligning global curricula to create a cohesive, sustainable pathway for global engagement across both institutions.
These recommendations aim to build on the program’s successes while addressing key challenges, paving the way for long-term, transformative impact.
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