Discover the United Kingdom
During the 2025–2026 academic year, the KSU campus and community will embark on a journey to discover the United Kingdom. From education abroad opportunities to dynamic on-campus programs, the Year of the United Kingdom will offer a yearlong exploration of the country’s vibrant culture, complex history, and global impact.
This initiative builds on KSU’s proud tradition of globally focused programming through the annual Year of Country Study, established in 1984. We are excited to continue collaborating with international, national, and campus partners to present performances, events, lectures, exhibits, film screenings, and seminars. Each offering is designed to spark connection, foster engagement across cultures, and deepen cross-cultural understanding.
Throughout the year, we’ll explore the unique identities and shared heritage of the UK’s four nations: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. We invite you to be part of this exciting celebration of global learning and cultural exchange. Join us!
Year of the United Kingdom Programs & Events
See the 2025-2026 program and events listed below, as well as special resources and academic credit opportunities. We look forward to seeing you at the diverse programming being offered this year as part of the Year of the United Kingdom. Many thanks to the faculty and staff, as well as the campus, community, and international partners, who are bringing the UK experience to Kennesaw State University!
Please follow us @ksu.yearof on Instagram to keep up with event details, including updated times and locations should unforeseen circumstances require a change.
If you have any questions about the events listed below, contact Community Engagement and Outreach in Global Education at global.engagement@kennesaw.edu.
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Fall 2025 - August & September
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Fall 2025 - October-December
Check back - MORE than 20 programs to be added for October-December 2025! -
Spring 2026 - TBA
Check back - MORE programs to be added for Spring 2026! -
Course Credit with UK Content - TBA
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Library Links - TBA
Royal OWLS Voluntary Service
In recognition of the amazing work that Britain's residents have been doing for over 85 years through the Royal Voluntary Service, KSU Owls will have the opportunity to volunteer as part of the "Year of the United Kingdom" and our Global Learning Opportunities (GLO) program, earning unique merch and leaving their mark on our local community. For the 2025-2026 academic year, KSU's Office of Global Education will be partnering with KSU's Office of Student Volunteerism and Service to create the Royal OWLS Voluntary Service Team. Once you sign up to be on the Royal OWLS Team, you can earn points and prizes -- just for helping others!
We think the Royal Voluntary Service says it quite perfectly on their website: Calling all students! Your local area needs your help, why not make a positive difference to your community and volunteer today? Volunteering is a wonderful thing to do, not just for others, but for yourself as well. Not only does it help...your community, it’s also good for you in many ways. Volunteering has a proven benefit to your physical and mental wellbeing, with great social opportunities offered through the roles you can choose from. It can also help you gain valuable experience, which can be handy when updating your CV or applying for jobs.
At KSU many of these volunteer opportunities aren't limited to students, so faculty and staff can join in -- and we invite alumni and community members to volunteer at KSU Day of Service to be a part!
To add to the joy of giving, we want to give back to you. As part of the 2025-2026 Royal OWLS Voluntary Service Team, you can earn points and win prizes while you help others!
- Every hour of service between August 18, 2025-April 15, 2026 earns you a point
- Every hour of service in a “Year of United Kingdom” project earns you 2 points per hour (instead of 1)
- Volunteer for the WOW OwlsServe on Saturday, August 23, 2025 and earn 10 points (instead of hourly points)
- Volunteer for KSU Day of Service on Saturday, March 28, 2026 and earn 10 points (instead of hourly points)
NOTE: All hours will be tracked by the Office of Global Education, however hours must be documented and verified in KSU’s GivePulse. All KSU students, faculty, and staff have a GivePulse account.
Click the GivePulse button below, then log in by clicking the grey “Login via Kennesaw” button and enter your KSU email and password. Important: Include #RoyalOwls in the "Requested Information" section of your GivePulse reflection
after each volunteer event for the volunteer efforts and hours to count.
Point System:
- 10 points - Royal Owls Voluntary Service - Collectible Button
- 25 points - Royal Owls Voluntary Service or "Year of the United Kingdom" - T-shirt or Hat
- 40 points - Royal Owls Voluntary Service or "Year of the United Kingdom" - Tote Bag
This is your chance to join a team who is making a difference! Please note, the Royal Owls Voluntary Service Team membership application closes 12/1/25. Sign up is simple; just click the JOIN link below!
Email jasmine.edwards@kennesaw.edu for more information. #Playingmypart #YoUK
JOIN! GivePulse"Year Of" Undergraduate Research (YOUR) Funding
A priority of the annual Year of Country Study program has been and continues to be inspiring and supporting international partnerships and research. To further this goal, Global Education is working with KSU's Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) to provide funding of up to $1,000 for faculty who choose to mentor undergraduate researchers, while expanding their research in partnership with colleagues in the country of focus. Faculty who wish to be considered, must identify a research partner within that country's higher education institution/s or organization/s, and complete the application.
Congratulations to Dr. Soon Goo Lee, Assistant Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Science and Mathematics AND Dr. Shadi Beshai, Associate Professor of Psychology, Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Both received funds to support their research during the 2024-2025 Year of Country Study on Canada.
Applications for the Year of the United Kingdom will open in August. They will be
reviewed on a rolling basis until December 15, 2025, or when all funds are disbursed,
whichever comes first. Please review the requirements at the OUR website link below.
Education Abroad
KSU students and alumni can visit parts of the United Kingdom (UK) and experience some of their culture firsthand during the 2025-26 academic year. Alumni, get ready for Scotland from April 11-18, 2026! Students, come back to this site in September for opportunities to study in the UK in the coming year.
Panels & Trivia
In collaboration with KSU's Museums, Archives, and Rare Books (MARB), the Year of the United Kingdom has developed a set of introductory exhibit panels to provide a general overview of important topics related to the country of study, and to draw the campus into the Year of the United Kingdom experience. Look for these panels across campus and test your knowledge with the UK-focused trivia embedded on each piece.
Year of the United Kingdom Logo
In collaboration with KSU's Geer College of the Arts and the School of Art and Design’s Design Practicum course (ART 4030), we are excited to present the iconic Year of the United Kingdom country study logo (seen at the top left of this page). This logo will be used throughout the year to identify official programs that are affiliated with the university-wide focus. Many thanks to Assistant Professor John King and the following seniors who created this design: Jada Dreyfus, Tru Mitchell, Melissa Sandoval-Zavala, and Ariel Zachary. Global Education is proud to feature the work of our young professionals as part of this signature focus at KSU.