Founded in 2017 by Bentley's Center for International Students and Scholars (CISS), the WorldView program aims to foster deeper connections between international students and the greater Bentley University community. It provides all students with access to the diverse knowledge and perspectives brought to campus by our international student community and students with significant lived experiences in other countries and cultures.
How it works: Each semester, International students and students who have significant lived experience in another country apply, interview, are selected, and trained to serve as WorldView Ambassadors. These Ambassadors are then made available upon request as consultants and panelists to faculty and staff around campus, to enhance the content of their courses or provide perspectives not otherwise easily accessed.
Timeline for New Ambassadors
- The WorldView Program is promoted during orientation.
- All International and Exchange Students will receive an email from CISS. If you are not yet on record as an International/Exchange student but have significant lived experience abroad (such as immigration or other status), please feel free to reach out to Nathan Cruz, Assistant Director of CISS at ncruz@bentley.edu.
- Upon completing the WorldView Student Ambassador Application Form, interested students will be called in for group interviews during the school's first and second weeks.
- Once recruited, training sessions will be held during the third and fourth weeks of classes.
- After training, new Ambassadors will have access to SignUp Genius to sign up for panels they are interested in.
- A week before the session, we conduct an internal preparatory meeting virtually. The WorldView coordinator attends the meeting and typically serves as the moderator for panels. Occasionally, CISS staff will also serve as moderators.
- The day of the panel, we arrive 10 minutes early to get set up.
- At the end of each semester, we host a social event to celebrate our Ambassadors and recognize their voluntary contributions.
- The program offers excellent professional development opportunities and public speaking practice for participants.
Timeline for Returning Ambassadors
- Returning Ambassadors are not required to participate in training; however, they are welcome to join if they choose to do so.
- To show interest in returning as an Ambassador, please contact GA_CISS@bently.edu.
- Returning Ambassadors are also eligible to moderate WorldView Panels.
Timeline for Faculty and Staff:
| • | Faculty and staff complete their respective interest forms at least two weeks before the semester starts. (All forms linked below) |
| • | Upon receiving the request, we send a confirmation and begin our internal process. This includes recruiting and preparing panelists who meet the specified requirements (specific languages, nationalities, etc.) provided by the requesting faculty or staff. |
| • | Two weeks before the panel session, we contact the requesting faculty or staff to confirm the details and address any specific questions they may have. |
| • | A week before the session, we conduct an internal preparatory meeting. |
| • | Following the preparatory meeting and before the actual event, we provide faculty or staff with a PowerPoint presentation and other materials provided by the ambassadors to ensure alignment with the session's learning outcomes. |
| • | After the session, we share a feedback form with the requesting faculty, staff, and participating ambassadors. |
| • | At the end of each semester, we host a social event to celebrate our ambassadors and recognize their voluntary contributions. Faculty and staff who have engaged with the program are invited to share their experiences, either in person or by sending encouraging notes that we will display during the event. |
Request a WorldView Panel
WorldView Faculty Interest Form
Provide Feedback