Dear Future Global,
Congratulations!! You are now a part of something truly incredible. This page is specifically for YOU; it is filled with advice and frequently asked questions for you to read and use going into Global. The most beautiful thing about the Global Perspectives Program is that it is different every year, and it is different for every person. So work hard, and put everything you have into global, because it will truly be the best 5 months of your life.
-Global 2017
Congratulations!! You are now a part of something truly incredible. This page is specifically for YOU; it is filled with advice and frequently asked questions for you to read and use going into Global. The most beautiful thing about the Global Perspectives Program is that it is different every year, and it is different for every person. So work hard, and put everything you have into global, because it will truly be the best 5 months of your life.
-Global 2017
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average day in global like?
Well there is a certain element of structure most days in Global. Similar to an average high school day, your classes are quite structured, and your teachers run classes just as they might in a normal class. However, there are many days that will be altered due to guest speakers, projects and special events that you, as a Global student, get to attend! Lunch changes day-to-day as technically Global students do not have a scheduled lunch period, and the teachers decide when you get to eat lunch. Lunch normally starts some time between 11:00 and 11:30 and ends at 12:00 in time for the next class.
How do global students deal with the extremely high expectations held for them throughout the course of the program?
Every student deals with stress differently, but it certainly helps that there are 27 other students going through the journey along with you. Many students thrive under the pressure, as Global pushes you to be the best you can be. I would say that the most important thing to remember is to lean on each other for support. Global is a lot of hard work, but it’s worth it in the end.
What is the group dynamic like? Is it hard to spend so much time with your classmates in such little spaces?
The first month or so, you spend most of your social time getting familiar with your classmates. After the first month, you feel very close with a lot of your classmates, and you just want to be with them all of the time. After Cuba, however, you will begin to feel like a family, and you do not want to talk to anyone else besides fellow Global students. The time that you all spend together will become special and you will never want those moments to end.
When the exchange student comes in October, what are the responsibilities of global students while the German student is here?
There are not very many specific responsibilities for Global students when the German students are here. You have to feed them, give them a nice bed to sleep in, and make them feel like a member of the family. You also have to find a way to get them to Innisdale for the beginning of school almost every day. You have the option to take your partner to places that the group might not go, like to a family cottage, to the United States of America, or any other place that they might find interesting. But making them feel like they are a part of the family is the biggest, and most important, responsibility for global students.
How does global affect the rest of your life (ie. social life)?
Global becomes the rest of your life. There will be little time for you to socialize and interact with non-Global students. You will probably spend most of your nights doing homework, and even stay awake all night doing a few of the projects. Naps are very common during Global as you will be tired almost all of the time. That being said, you will have plenty of time to socialize and interact with your classmates, and that brings everyone that much closer.
What are evaluations like? Do global students have a lot of tests?
Assignments or presentations are the basis of most of the marks. Most of your evaluations will be done by one teacher, with subject-specific assignments in your different classes, but there are also a few projects that will be evaluated by all of the teachers as part of the integrated marks. For our class there was only one written test in Global and it was in art. Expect to have plenty of projects in lieu of tests.
On average how many hours of sleep does a global student get?
Sleep is generally a big concern among Global students. Although often times Global students pull “all-nighters” to get work done, there are many students that still maintain a healthy sleep schedule, and therefore, it’s nothing to worry about. The most important thing to remember as a Global student is to maintain a healthy balance between school work and take care of yourself. Don’t get yourself sick by working too hard!
Should I keep my job?
This question comes up a lot with Global students, so here’s the deal: Global will require a lot more of your personal time than regular school and it can be hard to keep life balanced while in Global. Some students quit their jobs to focus more on their schoolwork while others are able to continue working throughout the semester. It’s really a personal choice. There’s no rule as to whether or not you must quit your job. Remember though, that you only have the chance to experience Global once, and the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it.
What is it like to come to Innisdale from another school for global?
The transition from a different school can be challenging, but only for a few days as you learn your way around the new school. Coming into a new school can be hard, but the global classroom is such a welcoming environment that you hardly notice you’ve left your home school. Plus, after the semester is over you will return to your home school for your grade 12 year.
How LONG ARE YOU ACTUALLY TRAVELING FOR?
In total, you are travelling for 6 weeks, two weeks to the beautiful island of Cuba, and 4 weeks to Germany. These trips will change your life forever.