Global Partners Zone

Georgia Southern University is a multicultural university that currently hosts approximately 500 international students on student visas whose priority in the U.S. is academic study. As educators, we must do the best we can to help them succeed. In order to support international students, we must make sure that our staff and faculty are deliberately trained to improve their multicultural competency, specifically addressing international student difficulties such as adjustment and support services. Beyond simply accepting them into the classroom and expecting them to perform the same as Americans, faculty should understand the different academic backgrounds of and additional challenges for international students.

Beyond simply advertising resources and support services, staff and faculty members should understand that international students may be unfamiliar with these services since some are distinctively American concepts. International Programs & Services created and facilitates The Global Partners Zone program (GPZ) that provides the participants, or “global partners,” information about cultural differences, unique needs of, and resources for international students.

We offer several GPZ trainings every year. ​Please check the website for upcoming dates.

Please contact Sara Nobles (snobles@georgiasouthern.edu) for GPZ training sessions or if you have any questions.

---

International Awards

The Global Partners Zone committee accepts nominations for individuals who embody the spirit of the award for which they are nominated. Any faculty, staff, or student can submit a nomination (including self-nominations). You may nominate an individual for more than one award; simply fill out the form again for the other award category. Please read the criteria carefully. The nominees will be recognized at a ceremony during the close of International Education Week. Recognizing the accomplishments of these individuals will offer positive reinforcement toward continued success and collaboration.

Award Recipients

International Student Leadership Award

Recipient 2019: Foram Patel

Recipient 2018: Darnel Howlett

Recipient 2017: Nipuna Ambanpola

Global Community Building Award

Recipient 2019: BreAisha Walker

Recipient 2018: Yearim Yang

Recipient 2017: Kaushal Patel

International Student Overcoming Obstacles Award

Recipient 2019: Abdulhamid Aldubaykhi

Recipient 2018: Nhien Lê

Recipient 2017: Karuna Mary Bollam

International Student Academic Distinction Award

Recipient 2019: Jennifer Udeogu

Recipient 2018: Darnel Howlett

Recipient 2017: Iva Šćepanović

International Student Advocate Award

Recipient 2019: Sara C. Nobles

Recipient 2018: Dr. Dorothée Mertz-Weigel

Recipient 2017: Kristin R. Kasting Karam

---

Last updated: 2/6/2020