Summer and winter programs are highly recommended for international relations majors. If you are a double major, a B.S. candidate trying to make room for that statistics track, or just can't seem to find time for study abroad during the school year, consider one of the summer or winter programs listed here.
Depending on your language abilities, courses taken via direct enrollment in a foreign university (rather than as part of a program made up of international students) should be taken in English-speaking countries; the list below highlights programs in England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and Australia that offer courses relevant to international relations majors.
While we suggest you look at these recommended programs first, feel free to browse the programs section [1] of the Office for Study Abroad website, explore an online directory of study abroad programs, and consult materials in the Study Abroad Resource Room.
Russia
Russia in the 21st Century: Politics, Culture, and Global Affairs [2]
This eight week program is aimed at students with an interest in this key world actor, whether or not they have previously studied the Russian language. It was designed by the University of Iowa in partnership with two esteemed universities in Russia: the Higher School of Economics (HSE) and the Pushkin State Russian Language Institute. Students will have a choice between two separate academic tracks: Russian Language and Culture or Contemporary Russia.
The Russian Language and Culture track, hosted by Pushkin, will allow participants to immerse themselves in Russian culture during the entire eight week session. The Contemporary Russia track, split between Pushkin and HSE, will allow students to study Russian language at Pushkin in June, but also allow participants to take courses on Russian politics at HSE during July.
India
International Development: India Winterim [3]
The India Winterim is an intensive, three-week field-based program that provides students with the opportunity to learn from and directly interact with leading social entrepreneurs, non-profit organizations and academic institutions within India’s diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and geographical mosaic. Each course is based in (or near) one of several cities throughout India. This program is designed for undergraduate students, graduate students and community members with related interests and experience.
United Kingdom
Iowa Regents Semester in Wales (University of Wales Swansea) [4]
The Iowa Regents Semester in Wales offers undergraduate students an opportunity to study for a semester at a British university. Students are integrated academically and socially with their British peers at Swansea University [5].
The program begins with a three-week course on British life and politics, after which students enroll in regular courses offered by the university. It may be taken in Swansea, or -- for an additional cost -- in London. The short intensive course provides an introduction to both the unity and diversity of British culture, including British historical, political and literary life. Particular emphasis is placed on the regional distinctiveness of Wales as part of the United Kingdom. Field trips are an integral part of the course and are included in the program fee. Visits will be arranged to places of local interest with guided tours provided for each.
Strathclyde University Exchange, Glasgow, Scotland [6]
The reciprocal exchange program between the University of Iowa and the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland allows UI undergraduates to spend a semester or academic year of study while fully integrated with British students in student housing and regular classes. Because of the one-for-one reciprocal nature of the exchange, cost is based on students’ regular UI tuition; room and board is comparable to Iowa costs in the Mayflower residence hall. Added expenses include airfare, a UI administrative fee, and as much travel as students care to do during December and the long Spring break.
Check here [7] for a list of political science courses currently being offered at Strathclyde.
Iowa Regents Semester in Scotland (University of Edinburgh) [8]
This semester or academic year program offers undergraduates the opportunity to enroll in a wide range of courses in a variety of disciplines at the University of Edinburgh, one of the finest universities in the United Kingdom in one of Europe's most exciting cultural centers. Students are fully integrated academically and socially with their Scottish peers.
Take a look at what is in store for you in Edinburgh. [9]
Lancaster University Exchange, Lancaster, England [10]
Reciprocal exchange programs between the University of Iowa and Lancaster University in Lancaster, England allows UI undergraduates to spend a semester or academic year of study in England while fully integrated with British students in student housing and regular classes. Because of the one-for-one reciprocal nature of the exchange, cost is based on students’ regular UI tuition; room and board is comparable to Iowa costs in the Mayflower residence hall. Added expenses include airfare, a UI administrative fee, and as much travel as students care to do during December and the long Spring break.
University of Hull Exchange, Kingston-upon-Hull, England [11]
Reciprocal exchange programs between the University of Iowa and University of Hull in Kingston-upon-Hull, England, allows UI undergraduates to spend a semester or academic year of study while fully integrated with British students in student housing and regular classes. Because of the one-for-one reciprocal nature of the exchange, cost is based on students’ regular UI tuition; room and board is comparable to Iowa costs in the Mayflower residence hall. Added expenses include airfare, a UI administrative fee, and as much travel as students care to do during December and the long Spring break.
University of Birmingham Exchange, Birmingham, England [12]
The reciprocal exchange program between the University of Iowa and the University of Birmingham in Birmingham, England, allows undergraduate students to spend a semester or academic year there and be fully integrated with British students in student housing and regular classes. Because of the one-for-one reciprocal nature of the exchange, cost is based on students’ regular UI tuition; room and board is comparable to Iowa costs in the Mayflower residence hall. Added expenses include airfare, a UI administrative fee, and as much travel as students care to do during December and the long Spring break.
Ireland
Iowa Regents Semester in Ireland (University College Cork) [13]
This semester or academic year program offers students the opportunity to enroll in a wide range of courses in a variety of disciplines at the University College Cork, one of the oldest universities in Ireland. Students are fully integrated academically and socially with their Irish peers.
Students who attend UCC in the fall will participate in their "Early Start Semester," which includes an intensive 3.5 week course on an Irish theme especially designed for visiting students. Current offerings include: Irish Archeology, Irish Folklore and Ethnology, History and Modern Ireland, Literatures in Ireland, Irish Ecosystems, Musics in Ireland, Management & Marketing in the European Union, and Irish Law.
Australia
Iowa Regents Semester in Australia: University of Tasmania [14]
The Iowa Regents Semester in Australia program at the University of Tasmania offers undergraduate students an opportunity to study for a semester at the University of Tasmania. Participants are fully integrated academically and socially with their Australian peers.
While planning to study abroad, students should browse through UTAS's course listings to see which classes are likely to be available during their term in Australia. Some courses may have pre-requisites, please discuss this with your study abroad advisor if you have questions.
UTAS Courses and Units: http://courses.utas.edu.au/ [15]
Iowa Regents Semester in Austrailia: University of Newcastle [16]
The Iowa Regents Semester in Australia program at the University of Newcastle offers undergraduate students an opportunity to study for a semester at the University of Newcastle. Participants are fully integrated academically and socially with their Australian peers.
While planning to study abroad, students should browse through Newcastle's course listings to see which classes are likely to be available during their term in Australia. Some courses may have pre-requisites, please discuss this with your study abroad advisor if you have questions.
Newcastle Course Handbook (individual course listings): http://www.newcastle.edu.au//course/ [17]
Newcastle Undergraduate Programs (equivalent to degree requirements, useful for finding classes by major or discipline): http://www.newcastle.edu.au/program/undergraduate/ [18]