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 a hybrid learning experience split between Clemson’s main campus and a global setting.
Global Start for Summer 2026 will take place July 5 - July 23.
Global Start is exclusively available to incoming first-year students admitted to Clemson for the Fall or Summer term. Students of all majors are eligible to participate!
How do I select a Global Start Program?
Global Start offers five unique programs that are carefully curated to take advantage of faculty expertise and Clemson's partners around the world.
Applicants should carefully review the course offerings for each program and indicate their top program of interest on the Global Start application based on their academic interests.
2026 Global Start Course Offerings
For Summer 2026, Global Start will offer programs featuring the following courses:
- Evaluating Change and Stability from Place-Based Perspectives
- Environmental Issues and Sustainability
- Global Challenges of Energy Transition
- Global Perspectives on Nations and Identities
- Storytelling and Social Change
For more information about each program, including cost, faculty, course descriptions, and locations, please visit the brochure pages linked below.
Global Start Program Offerings
Global Challenges of Energy Transition
Storytelling and Social Change
Environmental Issues and Sustainability
Global Perspectives on Nations and Identities
How do I apply for Global Start?
Application Process
Global Start is a limited-space program with 80 total spots (16 per program). To be considered, you will need to submit an application that highlights your interest in Global Start. Since this is not a first-come, first serve pathway, each application will be reviewed for program fit.
Applications for Global Start are available on February 17 at 6 p.m. in the Clemson admissions portal. The deadline to submit an application is March 1.
As part of the application, you will answer two short essay prompts designed to evaluate your motivation for participation and interest in your selected program course offering.
Decision Notification
Applicants will be notified of their decision on March 10. Decision types include offered, not offered and waitlist.
Waitlist
Students placed on the Global Start waitlist can visit their Clemson admissions portal for more details about the waitlist movement timeline.
Commitment Process
Global Start requires a non-refundable $750 deposit to secure your spot. This is in addition to the $200 Clemson enrollment deposit. Only the first 80 offered students (16 per program) who pay both the Global Start deposit and Clemson enrollment deposit in their Clemson admissions portal will be guaranteed participation in this Summer Pathway. The final deadline to submit both deposits and commit to participate in Global Start is April 1.
If a committed student withdraws after April 1, there may be financial implications. Learn more about the Global Start Withdrawal Policy.
Participation Age Requirement
To participate in Global Start, students must be 18 by July 5, 2026. No exceptions can be made due to abroad provider requirements.
Contact
For questions regarding Global Start admissions or program details, please contact global.start@admission.clemson.edu.
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 do more 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.
What can I expect?
Program Timeline
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Timeline
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Action
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February 17
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Applications open
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March 1
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Application deadline
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March 10
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Program decision release
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April 1
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Deadline to commit to Clemson and your Global Start Program
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May 1
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Deadline to complete Global Start Information Form and Checklist
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June 1
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Deadline to provide program arrival and departure plans
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Mid-June
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Detailed program itineraries provided via email
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June 25
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Student bills due
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July 5
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Arrive in Clemson for program start
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July 6
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Ready, Set, Roar!
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July 7
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Global Start Orientation
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July 8
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First day of class
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July 15
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Depart for on-site experience
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July 23
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Program conclusion
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Program Details
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 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.
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.
Program Cost
Each Global Start program has different program fees which affects the total cost for students. To view program fees, tuition and other estimated expenses by program, explore the details on the program offerings above.
Transportation
Getting to ClemsonStudents will be responsible for coordinating their arrival to Clemson on July 5. 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 airport (GSP, ATL, CLT) and coordinate independent campus arrival
Transportation from Clemson to International Location
One-way group airfare has been reserved on behalf of program participants to each international location. The one-way group airfare cost is included in the program fee.
Return airfare must be purchased individually. The airfare can be booked through Clemson’s approved group airfare vendor, ScholarTrip. Resources for booking the return airfare will be provided to committed participants.
Returning Home
Global Start will officially end at the conclusion of the international portion of the program on July 23. Each participant is responsible for coordinating their return to the U.S.
All participants will be required to submit their campus arrival and program return flight itinerary no later than June 1.
