Steps to Becoming a Global Citizen

Step 1. Learn About Your Family Heritage

What countries did your grandparents or great grandparents come from? Talk to them or find out from your parents about the stories they have in immigrating to the United States. What was life like in their native counties, what were some of their traditions?

Step 2. Study Your Map

Keep a globe or a world map within reach at all times! Whenever you come across a new country whose location you're uncertain about, locate it on the map. Before long, the world will feel like a familiar place.

Step 3. Learn a Second Language

Make learning a second language a top priority as early as possible. They state that one of the reasons U.S. students are so poor in second languages is that we start to learn them too late in our development.

Step 4. Read, Read Read!

Read books, newspapers, the web about news from foreign countries. Current events are wonderful. The more you read, the more all of the news and global happenings will make sense to you.

Step 5. Explore Other Cultures through Food, Music & Art

One great way to do this is to pick a different country and follow some of their holiday traditions each year. By doing this, you will begin to understand the country's culture and lifestyle.

Step 6. Connect with a Foreign Exchange Student

Encourage your family to invite a foreign exchange student to live with you, whether for a short stay or whole semester.

Step 7. Visit New Places

Encourage your family to take interesting family vacations, not to resort type places, but rather to sites within the United States of historical significance or to foreign countries for an extraordinary learning experience.

Step 8. Take Advantage of Study Abroad Opportunities

Try to incorporate an Internship or study abroad programs into your Academic career.