SE Valley Times

When Zainab Al Nasr arrived at Arizona State University (ASU) from Saudi Arabia in 2017, she not only learned English in a classroom setting but also through activities like board games and karaoke. Al Nasr was part of Global Launch, a program designed to teach English to international students and assist them in adapting to life at ASU.

"Global Launch really prepared me to go to ASU," said Al Nasr, who was admitted in 2018 and graduated with a degree in supply chain management in 2023. She credited the program for helping her academically and personally. "Even if you were just feeling homesick or missing your family, they will help you in every way that they can," she added.

This fall marks the 50th anniversary of Global Launch, which has been instrumental for over a million international students seeking university degrees and new beginnings. The program offers more than just language instruction; it provides a supportive community and assists with academic requirements.

"A lot of people would describe us as a soft landing place for international students," said Dianna Lippincott, director of Global Launch. She explained that the program helps students navigate various aspects of life in a new country, such as finding housing or accessing healthcare services.

For the 2023 academic year, Global Launch enrolled 1,054 on-campus students and 332,945 online learners from 63 countries. It generated $5.3 million in revenue and employed 38 instructional professionals fluent in 35 languages.

The initiative began as the English Skills Program in 1974 before evolving into its current form. Its primary goal is to prepare international students for participation in ASU's degree programs by enhancing their English proficiency across speaking, reading, and writing skills.

Chris Bragg joined Global Launch as an English teacher in 2001 and now serves as a student advisor. He emphasizes using English predominantly with students despite his fluency in Japanese because "that's what they're here for."

Global Launch also extends its reach globally through partnerships with universities seeking short-term immersive experiences for their students. It offers industry-specific courses like "English for Health Care" and collaborates on projects such as improving Taiwan's National Sun Yat-sen University's English-language program under the Taiwan Bilingual 2030 policy.

Technology plays a crucial role in expanding access to education through online platforms amid visa challenges faced by many prospective international students. The use of artificial intelligence further aids language practice by providing virtual-reality labs where learners can converse without self-consciousness.

Bragg shared an anecdote about Chalachew Seyoum, an ASU PhD student who overcame initial admission hurdles thanks to creative problem-solving within Global Launch. Seyoum later contributed significantly to paleoanthropological research and now teaches at the University of Arizona College of Medicine.

The presence of refugee students has increased due to initiatives like Welcome Corps on Campus. In December 2021, more than 60 Afghan women joined ASU via Global Launch following turmoil back home—a testament to ASU's commitment toward accommodating diverse groups facing adversity abroad.

Activities beyond academics foster social connections among participants while enhancing language skills—an integral component according to Lippincott: "It encourages them... They know they have people they can be with." After completing her coursework successfully herself—Al Nasr stayed involved first volunteering then working directly supporting fellow peers' integration efforts too: “I'm really glad that I had this impact.”