What is Global Start?
Are you interested in getting a head start on your Clemson Experience? Global Start is a pre-freshman study abroad opportunity designed exclusively for incoming first-year students offering campus-based instruction and international travel during the Summer (July 6- July 24, 2025). Through Global Start, students will:
- Earn credit for one 3-credit hour Global Challenges course.
- Travel to 1 of 5 international locations with a peer cohort, faculty member and staff mentor.
- Spend over a week on Clemson’s campus to experience and settle into college life with other students.
Global Start is exclusively available for first-year students admitted to Clemson for the Fall or Summer term. Students of all majors are eligible to participate!
Where are the Global Start locations?
For Summer 2025, Global Start will travel to Germany, Greece, Italy, Puerto Rico and Scotland. Locations are carefully selected to take advantage of Clemson's partners around the world, match faculty expertise and create the best student experience. Explore more about Summer 2025 programs locations, including cost, age requirements, faculty mentors and other details on the brochure pages below.
How do I apply for Global Start?
Application Process
Global Start is a limited-space program. Applications for Global Start 2025 open at 6 p.m. on February 24, 2025, in the Clemson admissions portal.
This program is filled based on priority submission of the program application and space availability in ranked location preferences.
Commitment Process
If offered a spot in Global Start, students must confirm and commit to Global Start by paying a $750 non-refundable program commitment deposit in addition to paying the $200 enrollment deposit to Clemson by May 1.
If a committed student withdraws after May 1, there may be financial implications. Learn more about the Global Start Withdrawal Policy.
The Global Start application has closed for Summer 2025.
We have received enough applications to fill the Global Start program. We encourage you to explore other summer program opportunities.
Contact
For questions regarding Global Start admissions or program details, please contact global.start@admission.clemson.edu.
Rome, Italy
As one of the world's most iconic cities, students will have the opportunity to discover the rich artistic and historical culture of Italy. They will explore Rome and its connection to literature, art, education, and justice, and how these works shape history, knowledge, ideologies, and community-making. To participate in this location, students must be 18 by July 6, 2025.
Explore Details
Stirling, Scotland
Stirling offers an authentic experience of Scotland's charming mix of history and natural beauty, allowing students to assess the local and global challenges that communities face when encountering change and stability through the evaluation of industry, politics, economy, education, art and ecology. To participate in this location, students must be 18 by July 6, 2025.
Explore DetailsSan Juan, Puerto Rico
As the longest colonized nation, students will experience the rich Puerto Rican culture, from its complex history to indulging in the cuisine and connecting to local artists and community organizers, all while learning about the processes of globalization and change. Plus, as a U.S. territory, a passport is not needed to experience this incredible destination.
Explore Details
Thessaloniki, Greece
This unique experience offers students the opportunity to reside at the green oasis of Perrotis College while being surrounded by a semi-urban environment situated in the seaport city of Thessaloniki. Here students will explore the relationship between conservation and sustainability, and think critically about how science is understood differently across cultures.
Explore DetailsRegensburg, Germany
Situated along the Danube River and steeped in history, Regensburg blends a lively modern city where students will explore leading global industry companies and gain a first-hand understanding of the production, consumption and experience of goods across national and cultural identities. To participate in this location, students must be 18 by July 6, 2025.
Explore Details
What can I expect?
Program Timeline
| Time Frame | Action |
|---|---|
| May 1 | Deadline to commit to Clemson and your Global Start Program |
| May | Complete other forms, documents and trainings needed to travel internationally |
| May 31 | Flight purchase and payment due through group airfare vendor |
| June | Meet with academic advisor and register for Fall coursework |
| June | Student bills dues |
| July 6 | Arrive in Clemson for program start |
| July 7-8 | In-person orientation program |
| July 9 | First day of on-campus classwork |
| July 15 | Last day of on-campus classwork |
| July 16 | Check out of Clemson accommodations and depart for abroad location |
| July 24 | Return from abroad location and return home |
Housing and Dining
Students will be provided on-campus housing and dining as part of their program fee. Global Start housing assignments will be available in mid-June. Students do not need to fill out a separate Clemson Housing Contract for Global Start, but should plan to complete a Fall Housing Contract through Clemson Home.
International housing accommodations will also be included in the program fee. Provided meals abroad vary by location.
On-Campus Itinerary
During the on-campus portion of Global Start, students will attend class and complete coursework while also participating in an in-person orientation, joining informative sessions about campus resources and services, and connecting with other students through offered social programming.
International Itinerary
International itineraries are customized by location to offer the best experiential learning opportunity specific to the culture and coursework of that location. Detailed itineraries will be emailed to students mid-June.
Program Cost
Each Global Start location has different program fees and flight costs, which affects the total cost for students. To view program fees, tuition, airfare costs and other estimated expenses by location, explore the location brochure pages above.
Transportation
Getting to ClemsonStudents will be responsible for coordinating their arrival to Clemson on July 6. Arrival options include:
- Drive to campus and park a car for the duration of the program
- Be dropped off on campus by family or a friend
- Fly into GSP airport with a provided shuttle to campus
Transportation from Clemson to International Location
Roundtrip group airfare has been reserved on behalf of program participants to each international location. The airfare cost is NOT included in the program fee and must be purchased individually through the approved group airfare vendor, Scholar Trip. Instructions for airfare booking will be provided in early May to committed participants.
Shuttles will be provided to transport participants between Clemson’s campus and the departing/arriving airport for the abroad location. This is included in the program fee.
Returning Home
The program will end upon return to the U.S. To officially depart the program, students have the options to:
- Be picked-up from the arrival airport by a family member or friend
- Return to Clemson's campus on a provided bus, where they will need to be picked up or drive home
- Depart the arrival airport on a flight to their final destination
Students who are flying from the arrival airport to their final destination are responsible for purchasing tickets to their final destination.
Why Global Start?
Program Benefits
As a Global Start student, you will be able to earn college credit before starting your first Fall semester. While living on campus and during your experience abroad, you will have the opportunity to learn about campus resources, explore Clemson and develop relationships with peers, faculty and staff. Our goal is to support you as you embark on your Clemson Journey!
Earn Course Credit
You will complete three credit hours of Global Challenges coursework. Please note that this course may not be required for your degree curriculum. In this case, this course would be considered a general elective. Please visit the Summer Programs tab of your Clemson admissions portal to view how this course would count for credit.
Join a cohort
Each program will consist of up to 16 students, one faculty member and one staff member. So, even before starting your Fall semester, you have a network of peers and professionals in place!
Start your Clemson Experience early
Get to know your way around campus, familiarize yourself with Clemson services and get some of the paperwork out of the way before the busy rush and longer lines in Fall.
Explore future options
Get a feel for the broad range of options Clemson offers, particularly in the area of experiential learning. Maybe you'll decide to domore global work, or you may find that a Creative Inquiry or internship is in your future.
Build a foundation for success
Early study abroad programs have a positive impact on students' GPA, time to graduation and sense of belonging.
