International Studies

Major

International Studies is an interdisciplinary major that expose students to a broad range of international issues through course offerings from the arts, humanities, and social sciences.

It also offers students the opportunity for in-depth study of a geographical area of the world through an area emphasis, language studies, and study abroad program. In addition to language, history, and literature courses, students will study macroeconomics, world politics, international environmental policy, world religions, art, and music.

International Studies Snapshot

Courses

Research and Internships

Careers After W&J

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Beyond the Classroom

Students have a wide array of opportunities for research, internships, conferences, and networking beyond the classroom that give them an advantage to prepare for life after W&J.

“I want to serve both the United States and Morocco as a student-diplomat through the Fulbright program…and be a source for strengthening US-Moroccan relations through education,” Sherwood said of the opportunity. “I’ll be in the city of Tangier teaching at the Ecole Supérieure Roi Fahd de Traduction (King Fahd Translation School), Abdelmalek Essaâdi University. I’m quite excited to…make use of my Spanish skills, as well as Arabic.”

Clara Sherwood '22

Conflict & Resolution Studies, International Studies, Spanish, Music

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What are you most proud of doing while at W&J?

I’m most proud of giving a Tom Talk at the Symposium on Democracy kickoff event. If someone had told my first-year self that I would give a Tom Talk, I wouldn’t have believed them, because I was so frightened of public speaking then. However, through my many class presentations, I was able to improve my public speaking skills so much that I felt ready and excited to give a Tom Talk.

Isabelle Kratz '22

International Studies, Spanish

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What are you going to miss the most about W&J?

Everything!

Annalyse Friday '22

International Studies

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Three Washington & Jefferson College (W&J) students have been admitted to the Vira I. Heinz Program (VIH Program) and selected to receive scholarships to fund international experiences in the summer of 2022.

2022 Vira I. Heinz Program Scholars

Political Science, International Studies, Biology, English

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If you are a residential student, where have you lived at W&J and with whom? I loved living on Chestnut Street with my sisters!

Lillien Shaer '22

Political Science, International Studies

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Living at the University of Vienna with other exchange students, speaking German, and traveling around the region, Michaela had an incredible semester that expanded her view of the world and her academic study.

Michaela Culley '18

German, International Studies

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What was your favorite moment with a faculty or staff member?

While I was studying abroad in Munich, Germany, I remember going out to eat with one of my professors who was in Munich for a business trip. The restaurant had one of those historical backgrounds on the menu, and I read it with ease… [and] We both started laughing about…how far I had gotten in learning the language without even realizing it.

Blake Melchert '22

German, International Studies

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“One thing I’ve come to realize is, it’s totally different having a 20-page research paper due versus having a list of 2,000 lawyers in the district that I have to find contact information for,” Belofsky said. “But I think my time at W&J has prepared me really well because, even though there is a difference in the work, I feel like the ethic that our curriculum creates, transfers really well.”