Study Abroad
Crossing a river in Senegal
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.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have created flexibility for students to meet their international experience requirement. Please review this document.
Get Started
The Office of Study Abroad has provided a road map of the steps to take to enroll in a study abroad program here.
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 abroad liaison. IGS majors/minors who plan to study abroad should speak with the study abroad liaison before they go abroad and once again after they have returned.
The liaison for IGS is Prof. Kristen Lucken. We recommend that you review this document prior to your initial meeting with Prof. Lucken to discuss study abroad plans.
Sample of Approved Programs with IGS Coursework
Visit the Brandeis Approved Programs List to review a comprehensive list of programs that offer IGS coursework. Click on "Advanced Search" to 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.
Receiving Credit in IGS
Students wishing to receive IGS credit for courses taken off campus during the academic year should discuss their desired coursework with their IGS study abroad liaison. After returning from abroad, students must complete the Petition to Request Substitution for a Requirement form.
FAQs
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For more information on flexibility in meeting the international experience requirement during academic year 2020-21, please see this document.
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?
You may count two classes per semester toward the major. If you are abroad for a year, you may count four classes toward the major. In the summer one course can count toward the major, unless you do the Brandeis in Copenhagen program.
Yes — if the other major will accept the class.
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.
No. Students should take their core courses at Brandeis. In fact it is highly recommended that students take their core courses before going abroad.
No. IGS is looking for you to have a substantive international experience. This can be accomplished by either studying abroad or completing an international internship.
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 Mangok Bol, IGS program administrator.
Sometimes. In order for a summer study abroad program to count for the IGS international experience 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.
Please note that Brandeis in Copenhagen does not meet this requirement.
