Politics
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“What better way to examine the multiple ways that political problems and questions cross borders than by living and studying abroad? Politics majors – open yourself to intellectually and culturally challenging experiences, explore how politics is lived and experienced in different places, and learn how to ask and navigate some of the most difficult political questions that emerge from cross-cultural encounters - in other words, study abroad!” – Shampa Biswas, Professor of Politics, Politics Department
Off-Campus Studies can help Politics students …
- Learn about the salience and expressions of politics in other countries and regions, such as different political institutions and movements; the most pressing political issues, problems and concerns in other contexts; how people think and talk about politics, etc.
- Improve foreign language skills
- Develop a global perspective
- Gain primary research skills from field studies or work with primary sources
- Expand cross-cultural communication and problem-solving skills
How does a semester or year of OCS help students in Politics prepare for graduate school or various career opportunities?
- For students seeking graduate degrees in Political Science, Public Policy and Law (these are the areas most commonly chosen by our majors), a study abroad experience helps students understand the conduct and study of politics from a comparative and global perspective.
- Living and studying overseas, especially in relatively challenging physical and cultural contexts, help students develop essential skills for cultural negotiation and critical thinking that are increasingly necessary in most careers, whether pursued in the U.S. or abroad.
- Study abroad experiences help students gain and enhance foreign language acquisition, which makes graduate student applications and job applications stronger.
- OCS programs that include collaborative work with community partners exposes students to future career possibilities, organizations and networks.