A Global Summer of Think and Do

This summer, the Global Training Initiative (GTI) at North Carolina State University put the university’s “Think and Do” ethos into global action, welcoming two cohorts of international students through distinguished Fulbright-affiliated programs.

In August, GTI hosted 30 undergraduate students from German universities of applied sciences in the 2025 Fulbright Germany Summer Institute. The four-week “Culture of Sustainability” program (Aug. 3 – 29) paired GTI’s cultural-competence training with NC State’s campus strengths in sustainability to examine how culture intersects with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The curriculum combined interdisciplinary coursework, field-based experiences and cultural excursions — from research visits with the NC State Sustainability Office, World Languages & Cultures, and beyond — to explore both local and global pathways to sustainable development. As part of the program, participants completed group research projects, presented posters to GTI staff and NC State faculty, and benefitted from a “Developing Cultural Competency” course provided by GTI. Students wrapped up their experience by teaming up with We Recycle at the NC State vs. ECU football game. Together, they sorted landfill, recycling and compost — all while experiencing the excitement of gameday at NC State. 

Building Skills in Innovation

“It was interesting to explore the topic of sustainability from multiple perspectives,”  said Industrial Engineering Mechanical Engineering student Bente Greta Kotulla. “I also got to know NC State with its vibrant campus life and American culture. I met many great people and had a wonderful time in Raleigh.”

In September, GTI welcomed a second cohort from the Fulbright Comisión México-Estados Unidos para el Intercambio Educativo y Cultural (COMEXUS). During the month-long U.S. immersion, Mexican students earned an innovation and entrepreneurship certificate while surveying U.S. higher education and cultural systems. Site visits included Raleigh museums, campus tours, and engagements with local institutions such as the Consulate of Mexico in Raleigh and Research Triangle Park (RTP).

“I’ve always dreamed about having an experience in a foreign country to study,” said Automotive Engineering student Israel Victoria. “I had an idea that the difference between Mexico and the US education system was big, but it took me by surprise how big the gap was. By visiting the labs, the student facilities, and seeing all the opportunities college can provide was awesome and very impressive.

GTI’s summer programs advance its core mission: to create customized, short-term education and training experiences for students and professionals from around the world, connecting NC State’s academic assets with global partners.

Expanding Partnerships

GTI stands ready to collaborate on student mobility opportunities, faculty-led workshops, or multi-week programs aligned with global exchange priorities. GTI brings intercultural training expertise, full access to NC State’s 12 colleges and research units, and flexibility in delivery formats (online, hybrid, on-campus, or overseas). 

If you are a faculty member interested in leading a one-time workshop or developing a four-week curriculum for incoming international student groups, we want to hear from you. Please visit the GTI Faculty Engagement portal to complete the Interest Form and explore how your expertise can enrich our training portfolio. Faculty mentors can also participate in GTI’s research programs (e.g., GEARS) and co-design other international engagements.

With your involvement,  GTI and NC State can expand the impact of Fulbright and similar programs to offer meaningful, high-impact global learning experiences.

This post was originally published in Global Training Initiative.