Global Intensive Experiential Courses

The School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership offers Global Experiential Courses during academic breaks. These are opportunities to travel and apply themes learned in classes to real service and leadership projects abroad. Through these unique courses, student cohorts of 12 encounter locals and leaders on the ground to explore the challenges for democracy in India, Israel, or Romania. This provides a chance to examine our own republic more carefully. In addition, the GIEs focus on comparative leadership and practical service experiences.

Note on SCETL’s May 2024 course “Leadership and Service in Israel and the West Bank” – This program is now canceled for May 2024; however, the study of this region remains a priority and we hope to resume our experiential course in May 2025.

GIE: SCETL Leadership & Service in India

This program is a leadership workshop "in the field" of urban New Delhi and rural Rajasthan, India. Students will travel to India's urban and political heart, Delhi, to engage with cultural, religious, political, and economic leaders, then interact with university students in a peer-to-peer leadership workshop. Students will then travel to rural Rajasthan to practice and hone their leadership skills on service projects building civil society in collaboration with the Barefoot College NGO. In addition, students will visit the iconic Taj Mahal where they have the opportunity to reflect on ancient, medieval, and modern "greatness." Students will return to ASU with increased global awareness, a robust service learning experience, and strengthened leadership skills. 

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GIE: SCETL Leadership and Service in Israel and the West Bank

GIE Israel West Bank

This program is canceled for May 2024

We will use tools learned during the academic year to listen and learn from Israelis and Palestinians of divergent views and narratives on religious, cultural, historical, and political issues.  At sites focused in Tel Aviv, East and West Jerusalem, and Bethlehem—to include an Israeli settlement, a Palestinian refugee camp, and a Jerusalem bi-cultural classroom—we will practice servant leadership in a variety of contexts. Throughout the trip, students will be called upon to "see through the eyes of the other" as they practice and promote civil dialogue in a polarized region. Back on the ASU campus, students will be required to participate in a post-trip debrief session to reflect on their deepened understanding of the challenges and rewards of leadership and global awareness in the 21st century, and the challenges of being a citizen and leader in a liberal democracy. This global experience will increase your global awareness, help you develop a robust service-learning experience, and strengthen your leadership skills. 

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GIE: SCETL Leadership and Service in Romania

GIE Romania

Romania plays an increasingly military, strategic and humanitarian role as a member of both the EU and NATO. While in Romania you will learn about the country's geo-strategic positioning and explore the Black Sea and Danubian region as a gateway to "the Other Europe". Stepping back in history, you will also learn about the country's ties with the former Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman Empires as well as the USSR that will cast a long shadow over the nations of Central and Eastern Europe. Students will also participate in academic visits to Ceausescu's People Palace, Dracula's Castle in the Carpathians, Transylvania Castles, and more!

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Prior to traveling, student participants will join classmates and faculty in the study and discussion of culture, politics, and relevant contemporary issues in the countries they will visit. During their travels, Global Intensive Experience participants will research, explore, work, and collaborate with people from different backgrounds and perspectives in order to gain a deeper understanding of the important issues that they will need to consider in order to be effective, thoughtful, globally-conscious leaders. 

Hear from our students

Global Intensive Experiences


"This experience changed my worldview and challenged my mindset by exposing me to a completely new culture and community. I was able to hear diverse perspectives and opinions on politics, service, and leadership."  - Carla N.

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Global Intensive Experiences


“Studying the Israeli-Palestinian conflict right there in Palestine, right there in Israel, was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I really don’t think ASU offers anything like it.”  - Dominic F.

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Global Intensive Experiences


"It’s so important you take advantage of that short time by being present in every single conversation and engaging with all of the speakers... because that is not something you are going to be able to get once you come back to Arizona." - Julia J.

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