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International Travel
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign prioritizes the health, safety, and security of students, faculty, and staff during university-related international travel. International Safety and Security supports travelers on a 24/7 basis through numerous services. Staff who are planning to travel abroad should review the policies, insurance enrollment requirements, and helpful tips on the Safety Abroad website.
Travel Safety Quick Links
Intercultural Training
Developing Intercultural Skills
Each workshop follows a simple plan: practice cultural awareness, learn intercultural self-management skills, and apply intercultural models to your workplace.
Participants describe our workshop atmosphere as “relaxed and collegial” and report feeling more equipped to solve intercultural communication problems in their work.
Training Approaches
- Interactive Workshops: These large-group trainings are interactive and practical, preparing staff with the intercultural knowledge and skills they need to succeed on diverse teams as they serve the university’s international population.
- Global Competence Coaching: These small-group trainings encourage participants to assess global competence, provide custom development plans, and work with teams as they build their intercultural communication skills.
Available Workshops
Exploring Intercultural Communication Styles
Exploring Intercultural Communication Styles is an interactive training session designed to help participants navigate various communication skills. This session explores key communication styles, including: direct vs. indirect, linear vs. nonlinear, affective vs. neutral, and more. Participants will learn how adapting to different communication approaches can lead to more effective interactions.
Stumbling Blocks to Intercultural Communication
This classic training examines six common causes for intercultural communication breakdown and offers suggestions for how to avoid them.
Names Trainings
The Names Training series is designed to deepen understanding of names as powerful expressions of identity. Participants will explore naming conventions, cultural meanings, and pronunciation strategies that foster respectful and inclusive communication.
Understanding Intercultural Development
In this training, participants will become acquainted with the stages of intercultural development. As participants develop intercultural competence, they will learn to bridge the gap from diversity to inclusion.
Supporting International Students – Best Practices for Advisors, Staff, and Instructors
Learn how to support international students at Illinois by understanding common challenges they face—such as immigration, academics, language, and cultural adjustment—and your role in helping them succeed. This session provides practical information and campus resources for advisors, staff, and instructors.
IDI Assessment
This assessment tool evaluates where participants are on the Intercultural Development Continuum and offers a developmental plan to progress to the next stage. Includes a one-on-one coaching session with a Qualified Administrator!
Custom Intercultural Workshops
Interested in bringing an intercultural learning workshop to your department? We offer customized workshops, presentations, and consultations tailored to your audience and goals. Whether you’re seeking a one-time session or ongoing collaboration, we’re happy to work with you.
Schedule a ConsultationInternationally-Themed Event Grant
This grant supports on-campus or community-based events hosted by Illinois faculty, staff, or departments that have an overall international theme. The original source of these funds is an endowment initiated by a grant from the Hewlett Foundation that was matched by private donations and university funds.
Eligibility and Requirements
- Events supported include cultural programs, conferences, symposia, and educational outreach events geared towards students and/or the community.
- Funding amounts depend on the nature and scope of the activity, but will not exceed $1,000.
- Illinois faculty and staff may apply for these grants on behalf of their unit or department. The grant is not open to Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) or other student groups.
- Departments and units can only apply once annually (July 1 – June 30) per event or series, and must demonstrate how the event fosters an environment where international perspectives are integral to our institutional culture.
- Open houses and receptions are not eligible for grant funding.
- Recipients must include formal acknowledgement of Illinois International sponsorship on materials and communications about the event.
Deadline and Application
Grant applications are accepted on an ongoing basis but must be received at least six weeks prior (but no longer than one year prior) to the event taking place in order to be considered.
Decisions will be sent within 10 business days of application submission.
Staff Global Exchange Program
The Staff Global Exchange Program provides professional development opportunities to enhance global competencies and institutional capacities. The program is achieved through staff exchanges between the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a partner institution abroad. The exchange model provides mutually beneficial opportunities to share best practices and expertise, and in turn gain a more global perspective on various university services. This grant is funded by the Office of the Provost and administratively supported by Illinois International.
Current Partner Locations
- Japan
- Mexico
- South Africa
- Taiwan
- South Korea
- United Kingdom
Eligibility and How to Apply
Academic professional and exempt civil service staff from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign who have limited international experience are eligible to apply. To review all application requirements and apply, visit the Vision 2030 Global Strategy website.
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