Walking into the grand opening of the USF Global Student Center, there is a sign announcing
it as a “Gateway to Global Engagement.” The center, where international flags line
the ceiling to represent USF’s international student’s home countries, is a place
where students can learn from one another, share perspectives and access support and
programs.
Located in the Faculty Office Building just off USF Willow Drive, the USF Global Student
Center is “a dedicated place on the Tampa campus that our international students can
call home,” said Kiki Caruson, vice president of USF World. “A lot of hard work was
put into creating a welcoming and inclusive space for both graduate and undergraduate
students, their families and the broader USF community.”
USF President Rhea Law, Rocky, USF World leaders and the broader university community
officially opened the USF Global Student Center. The event gave the USF international
community a chance to explore the center’s many offerings, including the Multilingual
Writing Center, which provides one-on-one writing consultations for international
graduate students and the International Student Recruitment and Credential Evaluations
teams. The center also houses the International Student Support and Education Abroad
teams. Additionally, the office suite provides a space for students to socialize and
unwind with games and activities available.
"The Global Student Center will provide our students with educational programming,
robust resources and a place to form a network of peers as they explore the many international
engagement opportunities available through the University of South Florida,” Law said.
“We look forward to seeing how our students will utilize this new space and enrich
the global culture we have embraced at our institution."
“The Global Student Center is a space where students can come to learn about study
abroad opportunities, connect with international students and get inspiration to a
become a Bull abroad,” said Raheleh Dayerizadeh, assistant director for student services
in the Education Abroad Office. "This space is also for students who are interested
in the Peace Corps and the Global Citizens Award. All global opportunities can start at the Global Student
Center."
USF is home to more than 50 student organizations that have a global focus. Nearly
1,500 USF students participated in study abroad programs last year.
“From the standpoint of the education abroad option, being in this accessible space
is exciting, and we are looking forward to seeing and supporting our students as they
study abroad,” said Amanda Maurer, director of Education Abroad.
“A lot of things can happen when you start broadening your experience and looking
at the global opportunities that are out there for you, and there’s no place better
to get that than through USF World and our study abroad programs,” Law said. “It gives
you an opportunity to grow as a person and to be prepared for the challenges of the
future because we are a global economy."