An award-winning online blended learning program designed to empower professionals worldwide with global skills and intercultural competence. Crafted by AFS, a forefront organization with over 75 years of global leadership in intercultural learning.
Global competence skills are one of the most powerful tools in the 21st century
The ability to understand, communicate, and collaborate across cultures is a catalyst for personal and professional growth. It not only enriches individual experiences but also fosters innovation and adaptability in a globalized landscape.
Enroll and start the online modules at your earliest convenience
Choose a program out of our 4 different versions: At Home, Abroad, At Work or Educator
Join the live sessions with an expert, qualified facilitator
Meeta community of learners from around the world
Earn your Credly digital credential of the Global Competence Certificate
A ground-breaking learning experience
PROGRAM SNAPSHOT
YEAR-ROUND ENROLLMENT
SELF-PACED LEARNING
LIVE DIALOGUE SESSIONS
EARN YOUR CERTIFICATE
FLEXIBLE, TANGIBLE AND HUMAN-CENTERED
Global Up for Individuals provides a flexible and engaging learning experience!
01 Self-Paced Learning
Study at your own convenience and progress through the modules at a comfortable pace.
02 Interactive Learning Activities
Quizzes, peer-to-peer collaboration, forum space. Engage in discussions to apply your knowledge and develop practical skills.
03 Real-World Case Studies
Quizzes, peer-to-peer collaboration, forum space. Engage in discussions to apply your knowledge and develop practical skills.
04 Expert-led Live Sessions
Benefit from the expertise of our experienced instructors who are industry professionals and intercultural communication specialists.
05 Digital Credential & Certificate
Upon successfully completing the program, you will receive a certificate of completion and a digital credential, validating your newly acquired intercultural skills.
FACILITATED LIVE DIALOGUE SESSIONS
A team of global expert facilitators ready to guide your learning
Select the Live Sessions that best work for you in 2025:
February: 4, 11, 18, 25 | Tue, 7:00 PM (ET)
March: 5, 12, 19, 26 | Wed, 12:00 PM (ET)
May: 6, 13, 20, 27 | Tue, 7:00 PM (ET)
June: 4, 11, 18, 25 | Wed, 7:00 PM (ET)
July: 9, 16, 23, 30 | Wed, 12:00 PM (ET)
September: 2, 9, 16, 23 | Tue, 7:00 PM (ET)
October: 7, 14, 21, 28 | Tue, 7:00 PM (ET)
November: 5, 12, 19, 26 | Wed, 12:00 PM (ET)
For private groups of 5 or more, we offer flexible scheduling. If interested, email us at: [email protected]
Jenn believes, as Confucius said, “People are similar to each other by nature; they diverge from each other because of practice.” (Analects 17.2). She has been fortunate to learn this firsthand through her work, travel and by facilitating programs for the Global Competence Certificate. Prior to retirement in 2019, Jenn taught English as an Additional Language (EAL) both in Canada and Vietnam. She continues to teach EAL by offering free classes.
Linda
Stuart
QUALIFIED FACILITATOR
Director of Global Education Innovation at AFS Intercultural Programs, Head of the Global Competence Certificate. Qualified Administrator of CQ, GCI, IDI, & IES. Executive coach/facilitator. MA in International Studies from the Universidad de Chile. Co-published chapter 8: “Global Competence Building: Blended Learning with the Constructivist Paradigm.” Mind the Gap. Stylus Publications – March 2020. Raising her 3 children bilingually and biculturally in Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Raedene
Russon- Le Roux
qualified Facilitator
Rae is an AFS alumnus to Switzerland (2004-2005) and is currently a facilitator of various AFS programs, including the Student Learning Journey, the STEM Academies and the Effect+ program for educators. Rae has a love for bringing out the best in people around her. She is also a mom of 1 and loves playing soccer and feeding birds in the back yard with her toddler.
Claudia
Rojas
qualified facilitator
Claudia is a seasoned HR specialist and cross-cultural facilitator with 15+ years of experience facilitating virtual and in-person training for individuals all around the world. She currently facilitates different programs at AFS including the Global Up, the Global You and the STEM Accelerators. Claudia is also an AFS Alumni 1992-1993 from Venezuela to Germany.
TESTIMONIALS
Carl Warren
Professor from the University of St. Thomas Law School
“Global Up Program helps new attorneys discuss their values and perspectives and the values that are already inculcated coming into this profession and how people can perpetuate perceptions of the past. This program addresses implicit bias that influences the way we are. It raises awareness. Moreover, it gave an opportunity for students to discuss their responsibilities as they enter the profession without having to strip themselves of their identity or moral compass.”
Leanne Petry
Director, Faculty Development at Central State University
“The Global Up program provides a transformative learning experience that exposes to the integrative nature of culture and identity. This intercultural awareness enabled faculty to discuss its relevance in our university community and work cooperatively toward a shared understanding of the impact and significance of global and cultural competency at our institution and on our students’ success.”
PARTICIPATION FEES
The participation fee for the Global Up program is $295 USD
We offer a 10% discount for higher education faculty and staff, students, and non-profit organizations. Send a certification of your current status to [email protected].
What are the steps?
Submit your application below
We’ll send you a link to make program payment and finalize your enrollment.
The participation fee for the Global Up program is $295 USD.
Can I get a discount?
Students, educators and non-profits have a 10% discount upon proof of current status. Please send a certification of your current status as a student, faculty, teacher or member of a non-profit organization to [email protected].
How long is the program?
The program is flexible, requiring 2-3 hours per week. It includes 20 self-paced modules that can be completed over the period of a minimum of 4 weeks or a maximum of 6 months, depending on your preference.
You’ll also have 4 online dialogue sessions with peers and a facilitator to reflect, exchange ideas, and discuss global competence skills. Times and dates are offered for different time zones and daily work or personal routines.
What are the requirements to participate?
Anyone over 18 years old from any background can enroll in the program.
These are the program requirements:
Complete all the modules of the AFS Global Up program of your choice, hosted in our online learning platform.
Attend at least 3 out of the 4 sessions facilitated by an expert AFS Qualified Facilitator.
Can I take any version of the Global Up programs?
You can enroll in any of the following versions:
Abroad
At Home
At Work
Educator
You can find more information about each version here.
What are the program dates?
The program has been designed to be flexible and adaptable to any individual’s schedule, which means that learners can enroll and start the program at any moment.
The facilitated live sessions are offered on a variety of times and dates throughout the year. Participants can decide the cohort that fits their schedule best.
What are the live sessions and how do I join one?
The live sessions (or Facilitated Dialogue Sessions) are 90-minute online discussions led by an expert Qualified Facilitator of the program. In the sessions, participants connect, share their reflections and discuss their insights about the program. These are opportunities to network and put into practice key global competence skills with learners from around the world.
Learners will be invited to the sessions, conducted via Zoom, by their Qualified Facilitator.
What if I can't join a live session?
It is a program requirement to attend at least 3 of the 4 required live sessions.
In case you are unavailable for a specific live session, you can simply look for the next available date. In case you miss a session, you can simply join the next one without any consequences. You have up to 6 months to attend all 4 sessions, complete the program and claim your Global Competence Certificate.
What resources do I need to participate in this program?
Besides keeping an open-mind and open-heart, you will need:
A computer, smartphone or other digital device to access the program content and forum
An integrated webcam and mic for taking part in the online live sessions
A stable internet (wifi) connection
Do I need to speak English?
Yes. All sessions are facilitated in English. We recommend having an Intermediate level of English that enables you to read the content, participate in forum discussions, and understand the live sessions.
Do I get a certificate?
Yes. All learners who successfully complete all requirements will earn the AFS Global Competence Certificates, which features a complete list of the educational goals you met and skills you developed.
Besides that, you will also earn a Digital Credential issued in collaboration with Credly. Your digital credential is a verifiable source that certifies your accomplishment and can be easily added to any professional platform or social media.
Are there group discounts?
AFS offers a discounts and flexible schedulling for groups. Please reach out to [email protected] for more information.
Can I run the program at my institution/company?
If you are part of a higher education institution, an organization or a company interested in running the program with your students, faculty members or colleagues, please send an email to[email protected] or visit the “Contact us” page for more information.
Sign me up!
Submit your request below to receive a payment link via email and finalize your enrollment.
Buy a voucher for the program, a gift that will truly make a difference
Why purchase a voucher?
Purchasing a voucher allows you to gift someone the invaluable opportunity to develop global skills and intercultural competence. This thoughtful present provides access to our program for a full year, empowering the recipient to broaden their horizons and thrive in today’s interconnected world. It’s the perfect way to invest in their personal and professional growth, opening doors to new experiences and perspectives.
