Who cares about global awareness?
Many of the people who will have a direct impact on your future, and the future of Georgia.

Michael F. Adams, President of the University of Georgia
"If we're going to prepare young people for success in the 21st century, they need to understand cultures, languages and traditions other than their own, and they especially need to be open to seeing the world in a different way.
Click here for a complete interview with President Adams on global learning from GEORGIA Magazine.

Tino Johnson , Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions, UGA
"After academics, some of the main factors that can help students stand out and make themselves more marketable in the eyes of colleges are:

1. Their ability to benefit from and contribute to a culturally and intellectually diverse community of scholar citizens.
2. An understanding of and respect for intellectual, social, and cultural difference.

The following is one of four written questions applicants must answer on the UGA application:
Share an experience through which you have gained respect for intellectual, social, or cultural differences.

Students that can demonstrate open-mindedness and participation in culturally diverse experiences are very marketable to the University of Georgia ."

Andres Villegas, Vice President of International Trade, Marketing and Governmental Affairs, Langdale Industries.
" The opportunity to study abroad helped me grow in ways that would have otherwise been difficult in the United States .  Being challenged to adapt to a different culture, language and customs helped me gain a tremendous amount of confidence in myself.

The ability to understand and work with others is perhaps the greatest skill that a person can develop. The best leaders in business, politics and religion have these skills. This is especially important in today's global environment where companies, cultures and people must move easily across political borders and lines."

Kevin Langston , Director of International Offices, Georgia Department of Economic Development
"Of the $5.7 billion of total new investment in the state in fiscal year 2006, some 30 percent was from international companies. Some 15 percent of the 254 projects announced in 2006 were by international firms, and international companies were responsible for 25 percent of the 24,660 jobs created by those projects."

Dr. Dan Colley , Director, University of Georgia Center for Tropical & Emerging Global Diseases
In the world today, everyone needs an appreciation and understanding of global issues. It is true, whether they think so or not. No matter who we are, or how isolated and separate we think we are from other cultures and countries, we will be in a better position to make a difference in our own lives, if we know about those of others. What someone does 10,000 miles away really does impact us in terms of our social, political, economic and health-related daily living. Having a global perspective on what is going on in the world, and an appreciation of how others live their lives, prepares us to deal with these differences, and provides us with a foundation to make a positive difference ourselves.

Jeff Buckley , State 4-H Staff, Language Instructor
Immersion in a foreign language environment is the only way to become truly proficient. Spending time in a culture where a different language is spoken is the ultimate compliment to classroom studies. There is simply no substitute for exposure to authentic accents and cultural contexts. Travel opportunities provided through 4-H are an excellent opportunity for youth to set themselves apart from their peers as they apply for colleges and jobs after graduation.

Even if travel is not an option, the internet provides a wide array of safe opportunities to interact with native speakers of other languages while developing valuable experience with the latest communication technologies.