Global Citizens Project Scholars
The Global Citizens Project Scholars is a NAU Education Abroad program, in collaboration with the Honors College and the Economic Policy Institute, providing new opportunities and resources to increase access to a global experience for NAU undergraduate students.
Selected Global Citizens Project Scholars will participate in a 1.00 credit course during the spring semester learning about leadership, responsible volunteerism, and ways to engage in the local and global community. After the spring term, scholars will study abroad for 9-11 days in either Ecuador, Italy or Vietnam on a GCPS NAU-Led program. The immersive program itineraries will include hands-on cultural and service activities where students are able to both learn about and become part of the local community. On past trips, students have planted trees, built a rock wall fence, worked on a farm, built a community garden and completed a river clean up. Projects are completed with the local community, engaging students into the local culture. Locations will be assigned to student scholars upon review of application. See location details below.
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Applications due November 7, 2026
Important dates:
Deadline November 7, 2026
Notice of placement by November 17th, 2026
Confirmation of placement by December 1, 2026
Eligibility
GCPS is open to:
*An undergraduate who is a member of the Honors College, a student who is not enrolled in Honors but meets the GPA threshold (3.30 cumulative NAU GPA), an Indigenous student, or a First-Generation student
*Have never traveled abroad (family visits through border crossing does not disqualify)
*Demonstrate financial need (receives a Pell grant or is Pell eligible)
*Good standing with the university (academic and student conduct)
*Completed at least one semester at NAU with a cumulative 3.30 GPA or higher (this will be verified for Freshman after grades are posted in December)
*18 years or older at the time of application
NAU defines first-generation students as individuals where neither parent(s) nor guardian(s) graduated with a Bachelor’s (4-year) degree
Language requirement:
There is no language requirement to apply for this program.
The opportunity:
Students will apply for the Global Citizens Project Scholars program, ranking in order their preference for location. Locations preferences are not guaranteed at time of application. Selected NAU Scholars will be notified of their selected program location and will have one week to confirm the placement. They will be enrolled in a mandatory 1.00 credit HON 408 or SA 408 course during the 2nd 8 Week (S8B) session of the Spring 2027 session, focusing on the following topics (subject to change):
- Identity and global citizenship
- Rural communities
- Language and culture
- Responsible volunteerism/service and public health
- Safety abroad – Pre-Departure
The Scholars will then go abroad for the dates for their designated program (dates vary by program). Service to the community is an essential part of the program. Students should be prepared to do intensive work in each country.
Cost:
Selected participants in the Global Citizen Project Scholar program will be charged $400.00 (billed to LOUIE account upon acceptance) which includes the cost of airfare and in-country program costs.
Flights will be booked out of Phoenix; therefore, students should plan to pay for their own transportation to Phoenix.
Required visas, passport fees, travel day meals and personal spending money are not included in the $400 program fee and will be covered by the student.
Students will be required to have their passport or passport receipt prior to December 1, 2026. Please apply for your passport as soon as possible, as it can take 3 months for processing.
Cancelation:
Students will be responsible for the cost of the flight in addition to the $400 charge if canceled after placement confirmation. Students may be able to use the flight for future travel (usually within one year of purchase) with a fee/cost difference paid by the student.
For more information, please email the Director of Education Abroad, Angelina.Palumbo@nau.edu