Board members are increasingly being asked to bless a variety of international engagements. But how many trustees truly understand how to evaluate opportunities or assess potential risks? The author interviewed board members at institutions that already have committed significant resources to global agendas. These interviewees represent a wide range of private and public institutions. The author found major differences in how these trustees discharge their fiduciary responsibilities. The interviews, however, also revealed four common themes that could be illuminating to trustees at other institutions considering global forays: (1) The Add-On Phenomenon; (2) The Difficulty of Defining Engagement; (3) The Pursuit of El Dorado; and (4) The Ideological Foundations of Engagement. (Contains 2 resources.)