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Inclusion, Engagement, and Advocacy

Global Cornell envisions and works towards a just, sustainable, connected world where differences are valued, and exchange encouraged. Our international students and scholars make a tremendous contribution to Cornell, both inside and outside the classroom.

Leadership and attentiveness in global matters remain critical for the university as we return to a new normal as pandemic restrictions ease. The Office of the Vice Provost for International Affairs was action-oriented during the coronavirus's unprecedented demands and continues proactively supporting our international students, faculty, and staff on campus and those of the Cornell community who are studying, conducting research, and performing activities abroad. What follows are some of the ways we support our international community.

Please reach out with questions, concerns, or just to say hello.

Wendy Wolford, Vice Provost for International Affairs
Gustavo Flores-Macías, Associate Vice Provost for International Affairs
Brandon Lanners, Executive Director, Office of Global Learning


Support for Turkey and Syria

Map showing concentric red circles over Turkey and Syria.

As the crisis in Turkey and Syria continues to evolve following the devastating earthquakes, we offer solidarity and support to the Cornell community affected by the tragedy. We extend that heartfelt solidarity to people in the impacted regions who have suffered a catastrophic loss of life and displacement.

How You Can Help

Consider donating to reputable international organizations providing humanitarian aid and emergency relief within Turkey and Syria.

Student Support statementCampus-wide statement

Supporting Cornell's Global Community During COVID

Global Cornell has provided leadership, oversight, and programming throughout the past year to support our international community and partners worldwide.

See Our 2021–22 Year in Review

Crisis in Ukraine

Statement from Vice Provost Wolford

Sunflower with blue and yellow ribbon tied around the stem.

War in Ukraine: Campus Support and Resources

Visit Global Cornell's new War in Ukraine resources page for more university statements and resources for the campus community and Cornell's Ukrainian and Russian students, faculty, and staff.

Discussing Difficult Topics

Community Agreements and More

Check out these handy guides to effective tactics for talking respectfully across differences:

  • Community Agreements Guide: Community agreements are “ground rules” that we establish early on to set expectations for how we want to communicate with each other. Establishing community agreements gives us a way to hold ourselves and others accountable for honest and respectful communication with one another. 
  • Using LARA Guide: LARA stands for Listen, Affirm, Respond, and Add Information. LARA aims to help steer a conversation toward a mutual understanding of each other’s identities, lived experiences, and positions.
  • Political Conversations Guide: Prepared before the 2020 U.S. presidential election, this content is applicable to many conversations surrounding politics and conflict.

Resources for Cornell Classrooms

Visit Cornell's Center for Teaching Innovation for classroom inclusion resources and new advice for faculty on responding to incidents that affect the teaching and learning climate.

Inclusion Opportunities

Global Women of Color Mentorship Initiative

Three women working together around a laptop.

Women of color on staff at Cornell face unique challenges. The Global Women of Color Mentorship Initiative (GWCMI) is a program that brings together peers and mentors in a supportive environment. GWCMI encourages career advancement and retention, enhances campus diversity, and enriches the quality of life.


Fostering Understanding Between International and Domestic Communities

President Martha Pollack chats with students at the International Fair.

Story Circles are intercultural understanding workshops designed to address international students' feelings of disconnection. Workshop leaders support students as they share their experiences and stories. Programming focuses on the intersections of nationality and other social identities.

Happenings

International students studying at Cornell will find many opportunities to interact with both international and domestic students inside and outside the classroom.

Iceland President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson sits on stage with moderator Peter Katzenstein
 

President of Iceland: Can Small States Make a Difference?

On November 10, Guðni Th. Jóhannesson discussed his country’s commitment to peace and diversity during a sold-out lecture hosted by the Einaudi Center. Read about the event

Learn More


Select Recent Events

  • (Sept. 2022) Sir Hilary Beckles, vice chancellor of the University of the West Indies and chair of the Caribbean Reparations Committee (CARICOM), visited campus in September to discuss how universities can strengthen the global movement for reparations for centuries of slavery and colonialism.

  • (May 2022) Nobel Laureate Leymah spoke to a crowd of more than 450, with hundreds more online, at the first in-person Bartels lecture since 2019. Watch a recording of the event.

  • (April 2022) Cornell offered a virtual International Career Fair for international undergraduate and graduate degree students graduating before the fall.

  • (Feb. 2022) The Lund Critical Debate, Migration in the Age of Pandemics, focused on how we can promote the best public health outcomes worldwide while working to protect human rights, manage resources, and address inequality.

See Upcoming Events

Immigration Advocacy and Statements

The Departments of State and Education put out a joint statement affirming their support of international students and collaboration.

“Many of our most pressing challenges are inherently global in scope and impact and can only be addressed by nations and individuals working together. From tackling pandemics and the climate crisis, to reducing economic disparities and building prosperity, to countering threats to democracy and maintaining peace – resolving these global challenges requires partnership and collaboration across borders. It is imperative that we continue to cooperate with our allies, invest in our relationships, and broaden our engagement worldwide.”

Read President Pollack’s statements on behalf of the international community.

Immigration Resources


Cornell values the contributions of international students, faculty, and staff and continually joins with other American universities to advocate for our international community.

  • (Sept. 2021) Cornell-supported lawsuits to counter H1-B immigration rulings set by the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Labor to end existing H-1B lottery procedures and imposed new H-1B wage levels for international employees at the university have been vacated. Learn more about the victory.
  • (June 2021) Cornell joined 150 other higher education institutions on an amicus brief in support of OPT for international students. 
  • (May 2021) Vice Provost Wolford sent a letter to Secretary of State Blinken regarding recent visa denials for international students based on consular officials interpreting policies unevenly and unpredictably.

Read More Statements

Funding Opportunities

Grants, Internships, Fellowships, and Research Support

Global Cornell is committed to supporting faculty through grants that foster global learning and collaboration. For students, funding can provide engagement opportunities with cultures worldwide, mastering languages, and travel for research projects.

  • The Cornell China Center (CCC) annually invites proposals from Cornell faculty for multiple types of research grants. Learn more about the funded research.
  • The Einaudi Center supports faculty, postdoc, and student research through numerous funding opportunities through partnerships on campus, in our region, and around the world. Global Summer Internships for undergrads are currently open, apply today. 
  • Migrations: A Global Grand Challenge is funding research and engagement that centers the connections between racism, dispossession, and migration in interdisciplinary, innovative, and impactful ways. Learn more about the Migrations grants.
  • International Research Intern Program is designed to offer qualifying international student research opportunities on campus, for up to 12 months, under the direction of a Cornell faculty member.
  • Global Cornell offers International Cornell Curriculum grants to create, develop, or improve curricula that provide students with international experiences.
  • Global Hubs offers faculty joint seed grants with several Global Hubs partners to explore potential research and teaching collaborations with colleagues at Hubs universities.

Connect with Funding Opportunities

Guidance for Students and Faculty

The Office of Global Learning (OGL) advises international students and scholars on U.S. immigration, tax, and labor regulations, and travel documents.

FAQ for Students FAQ for Scholars


Police officer in riot gear

Protests and Your Rights

Do you feel passionate about a cause and want to get involved? Read our Protests and Your Rights page. You’ll find guidance on your rights and risks as an international visitor.

Three smiling students walking down a tree-lined path.

Prepare

Prepare is the pre-orientation program for incoming international undergraduates, where first-year and transfer students meet new people and learn about Cornell and Ithaca.

Wellness

Cornell Health offers resources especially for international students to learn about health care in the United States and services and support at Cornell Health.


Additional Resources

  • Maintaining Your Status: Whether you are taking a leave of absence or extending your time at Cornell, we have advisors to help you navigate your time as a Cornell student or faculty member.
  • Travel: Do you have questions about travel documents, visas, or entry questions? We're here to help you whether you are coming or going.
  • Employment and Taxes: Did you work on campus? Will you have to file income tax forms? U.S. tax law is complex, and you can come to us with questions.

Student Resources Faculty Resources

Cornell Stands Against Hatred and Bias

Moments of Delight

Wherever we are, there are moments of delight and caring that bring a smile to your face and bind us together.

Birdseye view of students socializing around a refreshment table.

Welcoming International Students: Spring 2023 Orientation and Reception

OGL's International Services team helps undergraduate, graduate, and professional students settle in and discover what they need to know to succeed at Cornell. Topics covered at the spring 2023 orientation included wellness and inclusion, health and safety at Cornell, academic integrity and culture, and immigration requirements. 

Telling Your Stories

Abstract image of layers of blue mountains

Race and Racism Across Borders

Prose, poems, and visual art submitted by Cornell students and alumni who gained new knowledge about racial dynamics by crossing a literal or figurative border.


In the News

Read More News

Getting to Know You

Student organizations on Cornell's Ithaca campus total more than 1,000 and about 150 of these have an international orientation. These groups provide students opportunities to connect with those who share similar backgrounds, and with those who don't.

Students gathered for game night
New transfer and international students gather for games and socializing in Klarman Hall during First Night, in early 2020.

Find Student Organizations

Ethical International Engagement

Cornell is committed to global engagement and supports open, international collaboration.

A Cornell student sitting on the floor with a circle of people in traditional Indian attire.

Speaking to Each Other

Four students with laptops looking at a central monitor

Educating the Educators

English-Language Proficiency

English for International Students and Scholars is a 1-credit summer and winter class offered by the School of Continuing Education.

Learning Languages

At Cornell 58 modern and ancient languages are available for study.