International Travel Team

 

 

Criteria for Selection for Fall 2025:

1. Be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and up to date on all country-mandated vaccinations: students who are exempt from the vaccine requirement are not eligible to travel abroad with this program.
2. A 3.0 minimum GPA or an explanation of academic achievement.
3. Demonstration of skills in research, written communication, and ability to synthesize large amounts of information into a coherent, evidence-based argument. 
4. Ability to succeed in an international academic competition based on a description of relevant experiences that might prepare you to successfully represent a non-U.S. country, research global policies, effectively communicate (written and verbal), work with people from a variety of backgrounds, and overall function as a professional in a global setting.
5. Personal interest and commitment to solving complex global challenges from an interdisciplinary approach is strongly weighted. 
6. The degree to which you will benefit from this unique learning experience, as described in the application and in recommendation forms.
7. Holistic evaluation from letters of recommendation.

Accepted students in Fall 2025 will:

1. Enroll in GSS 4601 INTL MODEL UN STUDY TOUR on Thursdays from 12:30pm-2:20pm - registration permits will be issued upon acceptance to the team only, you cannot preregister for this course.
2. Pay the student fee, which will be automatically added to your bill by the Bursar on or before August 1, 2025. The total student cost is $300. All other costs are paid by the university and generous donors to the Model UN program.
3. Attend ALL class sessions (attendance is mandatory) - the only exceptions are medical emergencies.
4. Participate in all conference-related events while traveling (a no tolerance policy).
5. Contribute to the team's e-publication after arriving home.

Mission of the International Travel Team

The foundation of the International Travel Team is the premise that complex global challenges need interdisciplinary approaches and we work towards that goal by providing the following skills to students:

• Training in negotiations
• Conducting research on existing global policies
• Learning to behave like a professional in a global setting 
• Practicing diplomacy by engaging in negotiations within the UN framework
• Learning from experts, civil society, and other stakeholders about a variety of perspectives and approaches to solving complex global challenges
• Working effectively in groups
• Building skills in communication (written and oral)
• Developing intercultural competencies in attitudes and skills [source]
• Developing oneself as a Global Citizen

Therefore, we seek students from a variety of majors to work on global challenges in their area(s) of interest. In the past, Nursing students have served on the World Health Organizations (WHO) committee, Sustainability students have served in the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Environmental Studies students have served on ECOSOC and UN-Habitat, Health Sciences students have served on UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Committee on the Status of Women (CSW) discussing refugee camps and women’s rights, CRIM students have worked on transnational crime and arms control treaties in the General Assembly (GA), Physics students have focused on using expertise from the scientific community to inform work in the GA, POLS Pre-law students have served on Non-Proliferation Treaty committees dealing with international law, and several pre-med (BIOL) students have served on the Security Council, Committee on the Status of Women, and United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).

The International Travel Team is generously funded by the President's Office and generous donors. We thank Dr. Joe Bertolino for his continued support!