International Programs

Global Ties Event Highlights

Students holding signs and smiling
Pre-Arrival Zoom Sessions (July)

Global Ties Mentors prepare a series of three informational sessions in July for the incoming international students to learn information about Pitt and the city of Pittsburgh! The sessions will end with time for students to freely ask questions. The sessions are hosted via Zoom and scheduled to accommodate multiple time zones.  

Students outdoors at International Welcome Week event
International Welcome Week (Late August)

This week-long series of events prepares incoming international students with all the information needed to succeed in their new lives in the US and at Pitt. We offer several events to help students socialize and meet friends through three multiculturally free dinners to students, a Target shopping trip, Pittsburgh trolley tour, and informative presentation.

Students sitting at table playing card games
Fall Social (early September)

Fall social is Global Ties’ first event of the fall semester, fostering an opportunity for Global Ties Mentors (GTMs) and their mentees to meet in-person and connect through board games, snacks, and some form of crafting activity.  

Students picking pumpkins in a field
Apple Picking & Pumpkin Patch Trip (late September)

The Fall Festivities at Soergel Orchards offer a variety of seasonal activities, including apple picking, pumpkin patches, flowers, apple cider, pastries, drinks, outdoor activities, and shopping. Transportation to and from the venue will be provided.   

Students sitting around bonfire
Global Getaway Retreat (mid-October)

Global Getaway is an annual overnight retreat that offers students of different cultural backgrounds a chance to connect through outdoor activities, team-building games, cabin lodging, and bonfire experience. This program aims to foster new connections, promote open-mindedness, develop cultural competency, and help international and domestic students build meaningful and lasting friendships.   

Students sitting at tables with papers in front of them
International Student Employment Workshops (October)

This series is for international students to learn about job opportunities on campus, create and edit resumes, learn job application tips, and practice their interview skills! The first session will be a formal presentation followed by the opportunity to create resume and job applications with the help of Global Ties Mentors and staff. The second session will focus on interviews. This event is in collaboration with the Career Center at Pitt.

Students dressed in Halloween costumes
Halloween Party (End of October)

The Global Ties Halloween party provides international students with a taste of Halloween and fosters a connection between international and domestic students through mask and pumpkin painting, candies, face painting, costume contest, etc.   

Board game with Global Ties logo in the background
Winter Social (first week of Spring semester)

Global Ties’ first event of the spring semester, fostering an opportunity for Global Ties Mentors (GTMs), international, and domestic students to connect through board games, crafts, and snacks on the 6th floor of WPU. 

Students sitting at a table creating tote bags
Global Teatime Series (late January & March)

The Global Ties Mentor program offers a relaxing gathering with tea and snacks from different cultures, along with engaging arts and crafts activities participants can take home.

Students dancing in fancy dresses
Global Gala (late February)

Global Gala is a formal dance party with global music, dancing, finger-foods, and a photobooth. Students can request music from their home country and teach each other dances from their own culture. 

Students posing in front of palm trees
Spring Break Trip (during Spring Break)

Global Ties takes 10 undergraduate international and domestic students on a trip to visit a US city. This trip provides students with exposure to American culture in another city and opportunities to form intercultural friendships. The fee for the trip includes hotel lodging, admission to a variety of sightseeing locations, scheduled tours, and some meals. In the past students have been to Waikiki, Hawaii; Seattle, Washington; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Boulder, Colorado.    

Two students admiring art in museum
Washington D.C. Trip (late March or early April)

Join Pitt for a two-day overnight cultural immersion trip to Washington DC during the Cherry Blossom season where we will also visit museums such as National Museum of African American History and National Museum of Natural History! $40 Tickets will include hotel reservations, bus transportation, most meals, and access to famous museums.