Global Communities has been an integral part of the University of Maryland's rich tradition of fostering student interest in and engagement with global cultures and issues for the last nine years. The history of the program stretches back another decade in the past. In 1991-1992, a group of UM students received approval to organize International House in Dorchester Hall. International House promoted understanding, cooperation, and friendship between international and domestic students at the University. It was almost entirely student run, with an executive board and committees to organize events encouraging cross-cultural understanding. In 1992, International House hosted the first Cultural Explosion, a showcase of international student talents that continues to this day.
In 2001, International House formally joined the ranks of other living-learning programs on campus. The proposed Global Competencies Program sought to help students develop strategies to live and work in a global society, acquire a broad range of intercultural communication skills, and build an awareness of cultural differences. The program was renamed Global Communities and launched in the 2002-2003 academic year. In the spirit of International House, the program brought together under one roof international students, exchange students, transfer students, and UM students from all disciplines and cultural backgrounds.
In the fall of 2011, Global Communities was the only living-learning program included in the launch of the university's Global Studies program. The current Global Communities program combines the existing program’s focus on developing intercultural sensitivity with new courses on globalization and experiential learning. As the world becomes ever more interdependent and diverse, Global Communities is committed to educating globally aware, empowered, and active citizens.
