Global Circles is a short cross-cultural exchange opportunity, where participants from around the world gather in small, facilitated online groups to discuss current events and global issues that matter to them.
Here’s how we facilitate dynamic dialogue exchanges for young people on compelling social impact issues that matter across cultures and continents.
By participating in Global Circles, you will:
Meet with people from around the world and make new friends
Discuss current issues that matter to you in small, diverse groups
Develop your skills in communication, leadership and critical thinking
Earn a certificate of participation recognizing your contributions to key global issues
Become a member of an active, global alumni network
Gain exclusive access to skill building workshops, town halls, paid internships and other career/learning opportunities
Access the Stevens Initiative network for future growth and learning (for eligible participants)
Gain access to the U.S. State Department’s International Exchange Alumni network (for eligible participants)
Be considered for competitive, merit-based scholarships to Soliya’s Dialogue Facilitation Course.
Upcoming Rounds
Participants must be 18 or older. Limited scholarships are available and are awarded based on need and on a first come, first served basis. Participants can apply to join as many rounds as desired.
June 2025
Dates: June 16 – June 27
Live Sessions: June 20th and 27th at 2pm or 5pm GMT/ 10am or 1pm ET
Topic 1: Beauty standards and cultural diversity: How can we fight homogenization?
What are beauty standards in your country? Should some standards define beauty? How are beauty perceptions influenced by race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age or other cultural norms? Do beauty standards objectify women? Is men’s beauty perceived in the same way as women? In what ways do social media, traditional media, and globalization impact our perception of beauty? What steps can we take to actively address and combat body shaming?
Topic 2: Intergenerational Relations: How do we bridge the gap?
How different are young people today from their parents and grandparents? How different is the world today than it was one or two generations ago? How are education, work or relationships different? How do we coexist as generations? Where do misunderstandings come from? What are the cultural perceptions of aging in your country? Do modernization, the internet, and social media impact our perceptions of aging?
App. Deadline: June 1st, 2025
Program round
Each round lasts for 2 weeks and includes 2 online live group meetings in addition to independent assignments.
Live sessions
Live sessions are 2.5 hours in length and are led by trained facilitators.
Learning
Participants learn from and with each other through discussion-based activities.
Time commitment
The weekly time commitment is 5 hours. The time commitment for the full program is 10 hours.
No prior experience with virtual exchange is required.
"Faith in this work is purposeful. It pushes me to do as much of it as possible in order to reach the threshold where it will be stronger than violence."
Rafael Tyszblat, Innovation and Design Specialist | Soliya
Dialogue Digests
FAQs
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Global Circles are opportunities to meet and engage online with other participants from various countries and cultures on topics that matter locally and globally. The learning comes from the participants themselves through constructive dialogue supported by trained facilitators. Through your participation, you will not only increase your knowledge on the topics but also start building meaningful international relationships.
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Each round starts on a Monday and usually takes place in the months of February, March, April, June, September, October and November. Start dates are communicated in advance. During the rounds, the asynchronous part of the program takes place via posts on our learning platform. The live sessions take place on zoom rooms that are accessible through the same platform. Live sessions usually happen every Friday between 2.00 and 4.30 PM or 5.00 and 7.30 PM GMT / UTC.
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The activity is designed to provide a rich online experience with minimal technical requirements. Our team provides technical support and trouble-shooting throughout the round. Computers should have the following specifications:
The latest version of a modern browser (Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge (Chromium) or Mozilla Firefox).
A webcam, headset/headphones, and a microphone.
Minimum bandwidth of 100 Kbits/sec download and 50 Kbits/sec upload is required. We strongly recommend using a stable and robust connection for an optimal experience.
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To receive a certificate, participants will be expected to engage with the posts by inserting comments on the group stream and, most importantly, attend the two live sessions.
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Your certificate will be shared via email two weeks after the end of the experience.
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You may participate in as many rounds as you wish. In fact, we encourage it for improved experience!
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Each round is independent and will offer you the opportunity to participate in an online facilitated dialogue with different group members.
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Once you apply, you will receive an invitation to register before each round. If you’re interested in a certain round and topic, please make sure to apply by the deadline mentioned under the round’s topic and details.
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Global Circles is implemented by Soliya and is supported by the J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative (JCSVEI). JCSVEI is a U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs program administered by the Aspen Institute.