Honors Community Engagement & Development Scholars

Exclusive to the James Scholar honors program, the GFX Community Engagement & Development Scholars will work on grassroots development projects with rural communities across the globe.

Program Information

This course and faculty-led study abroad program provides students with the fundamental understanding of global community engagement. Students will study real world, community-identified problems in sites across the globe. Under the guidance of local leaders and experts, students will collaborate with each other to complete a project for a community during the fall semester. Students will then meet and work firsthand with one of these rural community organizations in Jamaica during winter break. 

By participating in this program, you are agreeing to travel during winter break.

Program Dates & Fees

There is a program fee that includes round-trip airfare from Chicago, ground transportation, lodging, meals, international insurance, and in-country programming. Many scholarship opportunities are available; GFX and IPENG will help students understand their options summer 2024. Students with financial need or other questions should contact IPENG at ipeng@illinois.edu.

Current estimated fees: $4400. Full details about program costs and scholarship opportunities will be communicated to GFX Global Sustainability Scholars by the start of August 2024.

Program dates: January 7-15, 2025
Past program dates: January 4 - 13, 2024 

Fall Semester (2 credit hours)

Take a course to develop your cross-cultural communication, teamwork, and project management skills! You'll complete a virtual service project for a rural community while also learning more about cultural humility, serving others, and the history of Jamaica. 

Winter Break

Travel to Jamaica for several days of experiential learning and service.