Giving
Learn By Doing in a Global Context
Global Scholars Fund
The International Center has established a Global Scholars Fund to provide scholarships for outbound study abroad students and for inbound international students and scholars.
The intention of the fund is to support students for whom participation in study abroad is a challenge. We are committed to access and eliminating barriers to study abroad. This scholarship fund evinces our commitment to excellence and diversity and makes clear that all students should have the opportunity to study or intern abroad, and that international students represent a valued aspect of diversity and a resource to the campus.
Jon M. Ericson Founders Scholarship
The Jon M. Ericson Founders Endowment for the London Study Program was initiated in 2000 to provide scholarships in support of study abroad on what is now called the Cal Poly in London program.
The exclusive purpose of the endowment is to provide scholarship aid to qualified London students with financial need and a strong interest in the program demonstrated by a willingness to help themselves by working and saving towards program expenses. Dr. Ericson was the founder of the London Study Program, a former Dean of the Cal Poly College of Liberal Arts (formerly the School of Communicative Arts and Humanities), and a strong supporter of international education. Dr. Ericson passed away in January 2021 and this scholarship continues as one of his many legacies to Cal Poly and international programs in particular.
International Initiatives Fund
The International Advisory Council developed Strategic Priorities for Internationalization.
The International Initiatives fund supports the International Center’s efforts in developing these initiatives including international professional development for faculty and staff, and international programming and other events, activities and initiatives by the Cal Poly International Center.
Internationalization
Cal Poly’s vision for internationalization is to provide foundational experiential learning, teaching, service and scholarship opportunities at home and abroad that will best equip graduates and the campus community at large to solve complex global challenges sustainably, ethically and inclusively.
Learn By Doing in a global context drives students, faculty and staff to critically evaluate themselves, their own cultures, their values and place in the world. It fuels informed global systems thinkers and doers, and activates Cal Poly students to be positive forces in the world.
Cal Poly in Costa Rica (Chelsea)
‘I could not be more grateful for the generous support that was provided for my time abroad. I grew up on a farm in the middle of the Central Valley and I would have never thought I would be taking this trip abroad if you asked me even a year ago. This was my first trip outside of the United States and the five weeks I spent in Costa Rica was one of the most valuable experiences I have had in college, and in my life. Agua Buena was where I did the majority of the course work for the two classes I was taking called “Social Dimensions of Sustainable Food and Fiber Systems” and “Ethnicity and the Land”. I learned so much about the coffee industry from their farming practices and processing, to coffee politics and issues within the system of buying and selling. It was so amazing to see the process right in front of me and to know that this is what happens to the coffee we drink back at home. I did not realize how much work, time, and skill goes into making those cups of coffee I drink every morning.
Cal Poly in Spain (Cindy)
‘The Cal Poly Global Scholarship was a significant turning point in my academic career. I would never have been able to pursue my dream of studying abroad if it wasn’t for that financial assistance. Global education has given me the tools to broaden my horizons on the academic and personal fronts. An academic goal I had was to truly learn the Spanish language and be able to come back home and teach others. The language is one of the biggest things that I will want to incorporate due to the fact that my family speaks Spanish but the Spanish I will be learning (in Spain) is different then the one I grew up learning.’
International Student (Alex)
‘Hello! My name is Alex and I’m a 3rd year Landscape Architecture student minoring in Sustainable Environments and Theatre Arts. I’m from Hong Kong, but have lived in England, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, and now the United States. My time here at Cal Poly SLO has been more than great. I’ve participated in many events relating to my major and college, as well as being an International Welcome Ambassador (IWA) for over a year now. Before coming to SLO, I had many concerns and speculations about college life, however, being here for 2+ years has proved those initial thoughts wrong. I’ve had many opportunities to discover myself and where my passions lie. I was in the university’s production of Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief. I’m currently the President of a Landscape Architecture club which has proved to be fun and challenging. Professors and friends have been supportive of anything I do. They have brought the best out of me and my time here so far is one that I greatly appreciate and don’t regret. I’ve been pushed to be the best version of myself and I think it’s paying off.’
Campaign
About 25% of undergraduates studied abroad by the time they graduated. We are committed to raising this number to 28% as part of the Institute for International Education’s Generation Study Abroad campaign. Our efforts are centered on expanding opportunities and support for underrepresented students to participate in Cal Poly study abroad programs, and each generous gift brings us closer to reaching that goal.
We host nearly 400 international students annually. In our efforts to increase the diversity and global savvy of our campus community, to create a global reach for Cal Poly, and in recognizing the talent we want to cultivate, we have created funding resources for international students to join the campus community at Cal Poly.
Your financial support will help in our effort to Bring Cal Poly to the World and the World to Cal Poly!