Program Objective & Goals

Global Gateways is a residential, internationally-focused, learning environment where students can learn about the world together. Launched in Fall 2013, with twenty-eight female students, Global Gateways has now grown into a co-ed community of students from around the world welcoming all of varying cultures. Students in the Global Gateways program live in Witherspoon Hall in gender-specific apartments, designed to create a fun, dynamic, and community-oriented environment.

We aim to create a residential-based community where students can deepen their self and cultural awareness with an international emphasis. The program strives to house a balanced mix of students to create a vibrant community where intercultural communication is at the heart of everything. The Global Gateways Wing of Witherspoon Hall offers a central, welcoming location where students interested in exploring different cultures, global issues, and our world can gather comfortably and create meaningful connections. 

While the program does not provide students with additional academic credit for participating, it offers a complimentary co-curricular experience that enhances any academic discipline area. Nevertheless, each participant will receive a “Certificate of Completion” after they complete their stay with Global Gateways.

Gateways residents are expected to participate in organized social and educational experiences to increase intercultural competence and global awareness, reflecting their commitment to strengthening their global-mindedness and cultural competence. Types of programs include international cuisine cooking demonstrations, country-specific mini lectures/presentations, foreign film screenings, volunteer options with the Charlotte international community, and more! By participating in Global Gateways for at least one semester, students may also satisfy the International Engagement Experience requirement of the Global Engagement Scholars Program.

Through participation in the Global Gateways Program, students will:

• Deepened Self-Awareness: Gaining a clearer understanding of one’s own cultural background, values, and biases, leading to a stronger personal identity.
• Improved Intercultural Communication: Becoming more adept at communicating effectively across cultural boundaries, including enhanced listening and non-verbal interpretation skills.
• Increased Empathy and Perspective-Taking: Fostering greater empathy and the ability to understand complex global issues from multiple viewpoints.
• Greater Global-Mindedness: Significantly increasing knowledge of global issues, world geography, and political/social structures through regular international engagement.
• Enhanced Academic Learning: Providing real-world context and application that strengthens concepts learned in any academic discipline.
• Development of Practical Skills: Gaining tangible life skills through participation in activities like cooking demonstrations, event planning, and organized volunteering.
• Increased Local Engagement: Connecting students directly with the Charlotte international community via volunteer opportunities, fostering civic responsibility.
• Formation of a Unique Peer Network: Building a close-knit, lasting network of friends from varied cultural and national backgrounds for future personal and professional connections.