BSU hosts celebrations for 10 years of the Certificate in Global Citizenship.
On Friday 21 March 2025, BSU celebrated 10 years since the first graduating cohort of the Certificate in Global Citizenship, a co-curricular course students take alongside their undergraduate degree.
It includes a lecture series on international issues and topics, a group debate, and a grant for each student of up to £1,000 to undertake a placement abroad during their time as a student.
30 alumni took part in panel discussions and networking events with current BSU students and reconnected with our academics.
It was fantastic to hear back from our alumni about how the course had impacted their career choices and next steps, and how the connections made on the course continue to positively influence them.
Here's what our alumni have to say about the course and their time since graduating:
"I would like to emphasise how instrumental taking the Global Citizenship course was to my outlook and has given me the mindset to pursue many global opportunities post graduation so far.
"I am incredibly privileged to have lived these experiences. And at the heart of this I am also extremely grateful to Bath Spa’s Global Citizenship course for equipping me with a global outlook and understanding the importance of connecting with people, ideas and places to make positive impacts."
Isabelle Farias (née Hogarth), Fine Art
Global Citizenship Cohort: 2013/14–2015/16
“I can only say that my time at Bath Spa University and in the Global Citizenship programme paved the way for everything that followed – including my current PhD in Psychology.
"I still vividly remember the wide range of panels, the fascinating discussions, and the inspiring experts who were invited! Those experiences – of course including the placement in Sri Lanka – were incredibly motivating and I have loved all of it.
"Those years, the opportunities, and the connections I made – not to mention the emphasis on “looking beyond my own horizon” – had a significant influence on everything that came after.
"Not only am I now working in an interdisciplinary research team – a role for which the Global Citizenship programme prepared me greatly for by teaching me how to find common ground among different perspectives – but I’m also developing a science communication theatre project that combines my passion for the arts and psychology. This, too, builds on the foundation I established during my time at BSU.
"I am incredibly grateful for it all. In fact, I don’t believe any of what happened afterward would have been possible without those formative years at BSU.”
Jane Momme, Psychology and Drama
Global Citizenship Cohort: 2016/17–2018/19
“Since graduating, I've worked in various roles including a marketing assistant for a bamboo bike company, creative producer for House of Imagination, and duty manager for a creative hub.
"Currently, I work as an associate peer recovery trainer for the Mid-Essex Recovery College where I co-produce free courses for those on their mental health recovery. I also work freelance as a writer and artist, having written articles for DIVA Magazine, created a mural for a street art festival, and album cover for a local musician.
"I also curated my first exhibition back in 2022 which investigated creative responses to the climate crisis. I sell my artwork on Ko-fi and have had my poetry published in a few zines. I also self-published two poetry anthologies in 2022 and 2024. As well as this, I'm developing my mindfulness practice and have been learning Spanish for over a year and a half.”
Indigo Moon, Creative Writing
Global Citizenship Cohort: 2016/17–2018/19
“Global Citizenship had a significant impact on my career choices, both during my time at BSU and after graduation. It broadened my perspective on global challenges, particularly in areas like water management, risk, and resilience, which shaped my academic and professional path.
"The programme allowed me to seek international experiences, such as my internship in Canada, where I explored best water management practices and built a global network of colleagues and friends.
"For students taking or considering Global Citizenship, my advice would be to fully embrace the opportunities it provides – engage in discussions and make the most of the international placement as part of the programme and the funding it offers to connect with people from different backgrounds.
"The skills and global awareness you develop will open doors to diverse career paths, whether in research, policy, or fieldwork which I use regularly in the classroom as a Secondary Geography Teacher. Most importantly, maintain and nurture the connections you make, as they can lead to unexpected opportunities and lifelong friendships.”
Harry Watts, Geography
Global Citizenship Cohort: 2020/21–2022/23
Find out more about the Global Citizenship programme, or visit our Alumni pages to learn about our BSU's diverse international community.