Office of Study Abroad

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International and Global Studies

In order to gain a deeper understanding of other cultures, International and Global Studies (IGS) majors take one additional language course (beyond the university requirement) and complete either a study abroad program or an international internship. A study abroad experience will allow students to understand, from an international perspective, the complex processes of globalization that profoundly affect politics, economics, culture, society and the environment.

IGS Study Abroad Liaison

To assist students with their academic choices abroad and to help answer any questions about receiving major/minor credit while abroad, each academic department and program has assigned a faculty member to serve as the Study Abroad Liaison. As every department has different policies regarding credit from abroad, the Study Abroad Liaison can assist you with guidance on major/minor credit. Find the Study Abroad Liaison for IGS here.

We recommend that you review this document prior to your initial meeting to discuss study abroad plans.

Sample of Approved Programs with IGS Coursework

Development Studies and Internship in Dakar (MSID) - Dakar, Senegal
Cultural Identity, Social Justice, and Community Development in Valparaiso (SIT) - Valparaiso, Chile
Development Studies and Internship in Chiang Mai (MSID) - Chiang Mai, Thailand

Visit the Brandeis Approved Programs List to review a comprehensive list of programs that offer IGS coursework. You can also filter options or search for unique program traits like internships or research. Additional programs might have acceptable coursework, but this list shows the primary locations where IGS courses may be available.

IGS Pre-Reviewed Courses

View pre-reviewed course list here

The IGS department has established a list of courses abroad that have been pre-reviewed for IGS credit. Please note: if a program or course you are interested in is not listed here, it may just mean that it hasn't been requested previously. Speak to the Study Abroad Faculty Liaison about whether or not it may fulfill an IGS requirement.

Receiving Credit in IGS

Students wishing to receive credit in IGS for coursework done off-campus during the academic year should discuss these plans with the Study Abroad Liaison. All students as part of their application process will be required to have a course proposal reviewed by the department if they wish to receive credit in that major/minor. This is an initial conversation and students should continue to discuss plans with the department as they have more course information (syllabi, etc.). Upon return, semester students should complete the Petition to Request Substitution for a Requirement form for final and formal review.

FAQs

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Can I receive IGS credit for courses taken overseas?

Yes, provided that the courses offered by your chosen study abroad program are closely related to IGS requirements.

The class for which you are seeking IGS credit does not need to be identical to one being offered on campus: After all, you are going abroad to learn things you can’t learn here. The classes should, however, resemble IGS classes. Ask yourself: Will this class teach me something critical to understanding the country or region to which I am traveling? Will it illuminate some aspect of its politics, economics, and/or culture?

How many classes from my time abroad can I count toward the IGS major?

Can I count a class toward IGS and some other major?

How can I be sure that classes I am planning to take abroad will count as IGS electives?

You can't. The IGS study abroad liaison can review the classes that you are interested in — both at the time you apply for study abroad and sometimes by e-mail while you are enrolling in classes. But we can only confirm IGS credit once you have taken the class and returned to campus. For more information on receiving credit after you've returned to campus, review the: Receiving Credit in IGS section.

Please note that the topic and focus of classes taken abroad for IGS credit must be relevant to the location where you are studying. A generic course that can be taken anywhere will not be considered for IGS credit.

Is it possible to take one of the "core" IGS courses (the equivalent of IGS 10a, ANTH 1a, ECON 28b, POL 15a) abroad?

Do I need to do an international internship AND study abroad?

I am an international student and my native language is not English. Do I have to study abroad and learn a third language?

No on both counts. By being at Brandeis you are already fulfilling our requirement to have an "international experience." If you speak another language at home, English can count as your foreign language.

The Registrar should automatically give all international students credit for an international experience. If you do not see this credit on your Undergraduate Degree Audit, please write to Jazz Dottin, IGS Academic Administrator.

Can a summer study abroad program count for the IGS "International Experience" requirement?

Rarely, and only in unusual circumstances, such as a planned semester-long program being cancelled. If you do need to use a summer program to fulfill the requirement, it must be at least eight weeks long and involve substantive academic work related to the culture and society one is exploring overseas. Programs need to focus on immersion into the culture and society, preferably including a homestay. We do not count programs that are solely for language study. Please meet with the IGS study abroad liaison to review the specifics of a given program.

Studying Abroad as an IGS Major

Arlenne Serna '21

IGS major Arlenne Serna studied abroad in South Korea in Fall 2019.

READ ARLENNE'S PROFILE