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Deakin Life Student news and insights

1 July 2025

Studied abroad or studying from overseas? The Global Citizenship Program can award your achievements

Have you completed a study abroad experience, or are you an international student studying in Australia?

The Global Citizenship Program (GCP) is an opportunity to recognise and award the contributions you’ve made while representing Deakin overseas, or while studying here in Australia from another country. The program awards your cultural intelligence, global experience and leadership skills through participation in extension activities.

The benefits of GCP

Participating in GCP activities will help you build on and communicate your skills as a true global citizen to future employers. It will also allow you to make connections with fellow global citizens and your award will be a great addition to your resume.

How to participate

  1. Complete an international experience – Your Deakin study abroad program is the primary international experience pre-requisite for qualification for the GCP. You are also eligible if you are an international student studying a degree at Deakin.
    • If you’re a domestic student who hasn’t yet had the opportunity to have an international study experience, take a look through Deakin’s range of Study Abroad programs.
  2. Undertake a series of activities – Participate in a wide variety of eligible activities: speak at an event, attend a globally focused lecture or symposium, write a reflective piece, make a video testimonial, become a DUELI buddy or more.
  3. Receive your Global Citizenship Award – receive an award from the stream aligning with your activities: Independent, Community Focus or Leadership.

Enrol through CloudDeakin

The program is free to join and open to all current Deakin students.

Enrol now through CloudDeakin to begin your journey!

Cheryl’s international journey

2024 Global Citizenship Award recipient, Cheryl Avila, has shared how the program helped contextualise her international experience once she returned home and set sights on graduation.

‘I joined the Japanese Politics, Society and Culture Immersion Program for three weeks. During my time, I developed my critical thinking skills and broadened my awareness to a level I didn’t know was possible! This program was incredibly challenging yet rewarding for me.

Coming from my background and family history with war, the ideas and concepts discussed were distressing for me. I redefined what resilience was for me. With the support of my supervisors, peers and university staff, I was able to navigate my emotions to develop a renewed sense of gratitude for the sacrifices made to make our future brighter. At Musashi University, we were encouraged to discuss the taboo and learn from difficult discussions, creating a widespread deepened sense of empathy for others and acceptance – key skills needed as future industry leaders in governance.

I can proudly say this trip was pivotal in my personal development, emotional growth and resilience which prompted my ability to see the world in all its colours and to be brave in having enriching discussions.

Consolidating the lessons learnt in Japan, I endeavoured to bring my holistic and empathetic mindset into governance. Therefore, I sourced my 2024 internship with the Social Impact team at Sustainability Victoria where I applied my critical thinking skills to support the delivery of campaigns aimed at driving the uptake of Circular Economy behaviours with a holistic mindset.’

GCP award activities

‘One of the domestic activities at Deakin that contributed to my GCP award was my role as a DUELI buddy. These experiences were incredibly fulfilling, as I connected with a wide array of interesting students and felt a part of the Deakin community. They gave me the opportunity to develop my leadership skills.

I become a local buddy for international DUELI students as I’d recently moved out of home and wanted to share the experience of community with students who may have felt out of place like I did.  We bonded over our taste in music, explored our perspectives of culture and shared uni life anecdotes. Supporting each other and exploring Melbourne through the international perspective was incredibly eye-opening. I forged meaningful international relationships and mutual learnings that still thrive to this day.’

Got a question?

If you have any questions about the Global Citizenship Program, reach out to the Deakin Abroad team at global-citizenship@deakin.edu.au.



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