About Global Classroom

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, all of our spring 2021 workshops will be hosted on virtual platforms. 

One To World's Global Classroom connects youth with trained, international university scholars to learn about world cultures and global issues through interactive presentations and thoughtful discussions that enhances the learning experience for all involved. Through face-to-face interactions and meaningful intercultural exchange with international leaders of tomorrow, today's K-12 students develop the skills, awareness, and understanding to become global citizens in their communities, both locally and worldwide.

One To World's Global Guides bring insights into classrooms based on their own experiences, serve as role models for newly arrived immigrant youth and American-born students alike, and help program partners, classroom teachers, and afterschool coordinators incorporate diverse global perspectives in reaching their curricular goals. In bringing first-hand knowledge to a wide range of academic disciplines, Global Classroom helps students and teachers communicate across cultures to reduce the potential for misunderstanding and conflict based on racial, ethnic, and cultural differences.

Global Classroom is always interested in building new partnerships to broaden our reach. For more information contact Adana Austin, Director of Global Classroom, or call (212) 431-1195.

Global Lives

All grades 

Students investigate the meaning of “culture,” explore their personal cultures, and various cultures from around the world. Global Guides focus their workshops on different cultural topics, such as religion, the arts, games, traditions, and food, as well as their historical origins. Students participate in hands-on activities, such as playing traditional games, learning songs and dances, creating art projects and tasting cultural foods. The program culminates with final projects, in which students explore cultural topics of interest using the arts, literacy and/or digital media.

Sample Workshop: Uganda: Dance with Me

After-School students learn various songs and dances from a Global Guide in Uganda.

At this Bronx after-school program a Global Guide from Uganda led an exciting and personal workshop about his life in Africa and his passion for dance. As he unpacked his bags of drums and bells, the students did not realize that they were going to be part of the show. The Global Guide taught students basic movements using their voices, hands, and feet to make music. He explained that during his childhood he didn’t have toys or TV, so he and other children created their own dances and songs to entertain themselves. Several students, first- or second-generation immigrants from Africa themselves, especially appreciated connecting with someone with a similar background.

Global Citizenship

All grades

Students investigate what it means to be a global citizen in their own community and around the world. Global Guides lead workshops on various global issues, exploring topics such as climate action, Sustainable Development Goals, justice around the world, and unpacking discrimination. Students learn about various global challenges and possible solutions, exploring how these issues are connected on a local, national, and global scale. By participating in stimulating solution-oriented activities and a final project, students are inspired to become active global citizens and create change in their community and the world.

Sample Workshop: South Korea: Being Free & Equal

An inspirational letter that a NYC student wrote to a North Korean refugee living in NYC after learning about many of the refugees’ hardships from a Global Guide from South Korea.

In this workshop, a Global Guide from  South Korea shared pictures and stories of her hometown, family, and school life with students at a high school in Manhattan. She then spoke about her experience volunteering for an organization that supports North Korean refugees in the U.S., explaining the treacherous obstacles North Koreans encounter when they try to defect to countries such as China, Thailand, and the United States. The students were surprised and disheartened to learn about the difficulties faced by the refugees, and felt compelled to help, even if only in a small way. Taking action as Global Citizens, the students wrote inspirational notes to the refugees, with whom the Global Guide worked directly and who were currently living in NY.

Global Careers

High School

This program connects students with successful international role models pursuing a variety of careers, while cultivating the specific competencies needed to succeed in the global economy. Students develop their cross-cultural communication skills and reflect on their unique skills, passions, and possible career paths. Students employ technology to identify areas of interest, research potential job options, and build portfolios to be used for college and job applications. 

Sample Workshop: Germany: Education as a Career Path

Students learn about special needs education by participating in a blind-folded walk with a Global Guide from Germany.

Students learn about special needs education by participating in a blind-folded walk with a Global Guide from Germany. He spoke about his experience studying Special Education and working in different Special Education classrooms, a relatively new concept for many of the Queens high school students. He led an exercise where students had to guide each other blindfolded and using limited communication. The students had fun, but also were able to think about what life would be like if they had disabilities, or were teaching someone with disabilities.