Global Community

Global Community encourages students to find out about different cultures, travel and international issues. They can get involved as Intercultural Ambassadors or by staying in Ellerslie Global Residence.

Global Community opportunities

Global Community opportunities help UK and international students feel part of one global community and develop cultural awareness and other skills valued by employers. As well as supporting staff to develop intercultural opportunities, they help to connect students from different cultural backgrounds through activities such as:

  • Global Cafe
  • Intercultural Ambassadors Programme 
  • Ellerslie Global Residence
  • Language and cultural exchange.

Intercultural Ambassadors Programme

Each year a group of UK and international students become University of Leeds Intercultural Ambassadors. The volunteer programme is an opportunity for students to increase cultural awareness and intercultural communication skills, make new friends and get experience of multicultural teamwork, project development and activity management. The ambassadors will receive training and mentor support to develop and run intercultural projects which connect students from different backgrounds and help them to get the most out of being part of our global community.

Students who wish to take part in the Programme can find out how to apply on the Global Community webpages.

Ellerslie Global Residence

Ellerslie Global Residence, on the University campus, offers an opportunity for undergraduates from the UK and all over the world to live together in a friendly, lively and comfortable environment and share the experience of university life. Ellerslie Global Residence is an intercultural home for 50% UK and 50% international students who benefit from a uniquely diverse social life and the opportunity to broaden their horizons, develop cross-cultural skills and build a global network of friends. For students interested in practising different languages, the diversity of students in Ellerslie also offers the possibility of language exchange opportunities.

Students can apply to live in Ellerslie Global Residence and find more information on the University accommodation website.

Find a language exchange partner

If students are interested in developing language skills, by practising and interacting with native speakers of many different languages on campus, there are a range of opportunities available. More details can be found on the Global Community webpages.

Students can also meet at Global Cafe or in the Language Zone where they can access multi-media materials including films and TV to watch with their language exchange partners in the language they’re interested in.

Cultural exchange visits

The University has teamed up with HOST UK to link international students and British families for a weekend of cultural exchange. International students who want to visit a British home or British students whose family would like to host an international student for a visit can find out more about how to apply on the Global Community webpages.