Global Citizenship Cohort (GCC)

Think responsibly. Become a global citizen.

Do you dream of making the world a better place to live? Are you interested in the environment and social justice issues?

• Study with a small cohort group of like-minded students.
• Enjoy a first-year experience that will introduce you to a variety of disciplines and build your study skills.
• Participate in courses connected by a common theme.

The Faculty of Arts & Science Global Citizenship Cohort (GCC) offers a unique opportunity to connect some of your first-year courses around a common theme while interacting with a group of like-minded students. The theme for 2025/2026 is Dealing with Disagreement and Polarization which explores a basic fact of human life: For anything about which we have an opinion or belief, there are people who disagree with us, sometimes deeply. This theme is about the vast variety of disagreements we can encounter, the ways these disagreements can polarize us and push us apart, and the resources we have for addressing, resolving or living with disagreement. Contact the Coordinator, Dr. Kat Stevens to learn more about the theme.

The GCC application deadline for Fall 2025 is June 30, 2025. Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Entry into the cohort program is competitive, and space is limited. If you have not already applied to the University of Lethbridge, APPLY TODAY. Once you complete your U of L application, apply to the GCC for a seat in this unique opportunity offered by the Faculty of Arts & Science.

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Mission Statement

The Global Citizenship Cohort (GCC) will provide students with an enhanced first-year experience that is unparalleled in the province and which offers connections:

• between a carefully chosen set of courses which relate to a theme;
• to a group of like-minded students who support each other’s ideas and efforts, academic and otherwise; and
• to professors, mentors, job opportunities and volunteer opportunities that will complement the students’ academic experiences.

This combination will provide students with a unique and engaging undergraduate experience, and a head start in whatever career they choose to pursue.

A Day in the Life of a Cohort Student

In your first year, you will take five of your first ten courses with other students in the GCC. You will build friendships with students who have similar interests, be taught and mentored by a core group of inspiring professors, develop leadership skills, and learn how you can have a positive impact on the world around you.

In the fall semester, you will take three courses alongside all of the other cohort students for your theme. One of these courses is a half course that meets once per week, giving you the chance to talk about what you are learning in your other cohort courses, and hear from guest speakers on topics related to the theme. You’ll also be able to raise concerns and ask questions, as this course will ONLY be cohort students. At the same time, you’ll be taking other courses to fulfill the requirements for your major. Students usually take 5 (3 credit) courses per semester so that you could take two full cohort courses, the half course, and two or three other courses outside of the cohort.

In the spring semester, you’ll again be taking two full courses with your cohort, plus the half course that meets once per week. In this semester you’ll start using this half course to work on a cohort project of your choosing, something that you bring some passion to, or that you want to learn more about. Some students work individually, and some work in groups. The key is to find connections between your courses and what’s going on in the world around you. You’ll also be taking other courses for your major.

If you already have a major in mind, the cohort will help you fulfil electives and liberal education requirements. If you haven’t chosen a major yet, these courses can give you a taste of the variety of disciplines available, and help you to find your pathway. Students who complete the five courses as part of the cohort will receive a CERTIFICATE of GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP.

Additional Opportunities

As part of the half courses that meet once per week, students from the GC Cohort will have guided access to further opportunities such as Applied Studies, Independent Studies, and Co-operative Education positions. Select students may be encouraged to apply for Teaching Assistant (TA) positions in subsequent years.

We have secured 20 beds in residence for students participating in the GCC for 2025/2026.

You must apply for the GCC by March 15, 2025, and indicate "Yes" for this question in the application to be considered for one of the twenty spots.

In addition, you must apply for housing directly via the button below before March 31, 2025. Please budget for your housing costs with residence rate information. The University of Lethbridge's on-campus residences are home to 1000+ students. All full-time students (9 credits or more per term) whose permanent address is 100km away or further, are encouraged and welcome to apply! Due to high demand, housing is unable to GUARANTEE ROOMS to all applicants. Applying to the GCC by the March 15, 2025 deadline is a great way to increase your odds of landing a spot in residence.

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Learn more about the GCC student experience

What is proving to be equally important as the cohort themes, is the transformative impact that students who participate in the GCC experience. Many students speak of how “different” they are now, then when they started. Students who never knew each other prior to joining the GCC now live together and/or continue to work together on initiatives that they started when they were part of the GCC.

For example, a group of students from the GCC worked with the Oldman Watershed Council (OWC) to do clean-up and conduct water testing on the Old Man River. One of these students is now on the Board and continues to be active in promoting their efforts. A second example is five students from the GCC who raised funds for the uLethbridge Refugee Action Committee (RAC), a volunteer group formed to help resettle a Syrian family in Lethbridge. Students from this cohort are still involved with the RAC. Check out Jamie and Antoine's stories below to learn more!

Sample Capstone Project - Video created by and for students

GCC Showcase

This online showcase provided an opportunity to learn more about the GCC and hear from students who have participated in the GCC. Although this event was scheduled for an hour there was no stopping this group of over 100 enthusiastic participants as they had great questions. For those who were unable to attend, you can watch the video here to learn more about the GCC.

In addition, students tell us that this program feels like “home” and gives them a sense of belonging right from day one! Watch the video below to learn more about Kahsha's GCC story.

The GCC family is continuing to grow and “graduates” of the cohort are ambassadors and champions of the program.

If working with others to improve the world as global citizens appeals to you, join this small group of curious and motivated students and enjoy an enhanced first-year university experience.

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