International Studies

International studies is an interdisciplinary program designed to prepare you for the changing world of business, economics, agriculture, science, technology, diplomacy and communication. The Bachelor of Arts in International Studies combines a solid foundation in a foreign language with a regional specialization, overseas experience and an issue emphasis chosen by you. You'll graduate positioned for success in business or graduate school, or in a career in the ever-changing world of nongovernmental organizations, governmental agencies and international organizations.

You can concentrate your study in one of three areas:

• International Relations
• Global Resources and Development
• International Economics and Business

Students enrolled in other University of Idaho programs may wish to add international studies as a second major or a minor to increase their international expertise and their marketability in a future career.

As an international studies major, you will spend at least 12 weeks abroad. We’ll help you find challenging opportunities in which to study, volunteer or intern that complement your academic programs. The program also requires six semesters of foreign language study. You also will combine language skills with course work about a region in which the language you study is spoken. Current majors are studying Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish.

Your course work culminates with one of the most challenging and rewarding classes at Idaho – the international studies capstone course. You’ll bring all your training and experiences together to propose solutions to real-world problems. Many students say this course defined their career path and goals.

What makes this program distinct from all the others?

• International Speakers Series: All students get to hear these guest speakers on campus, but only international studies majors meet with them in small groups for coffee or over dinner.
• Spotlight Seminars: The Spotlight Seminar is designed to bring experts at local universities to the Martin Institute, where they present research on important global issues to small groups of international studies majors. Designed to last two hours, a Spotlight Seminar includes an interactive research presentation, refreshments and a lively question-and-answer session.
• Martin Scholars: Selected students work as paid interns with faculty members to research major international issues.
• Visit the UN: You may participate in a weeklong trip to New York City and the United Nations to meet with UN ambassadors, Idaho alumni, representatives from nongovernmental organizations and other students from around the world.
• Learn from Leaders: The Martin Institute Mentor program links current students with international studies alumni. It’s a Vandal connection that shares real-world knowledge, and gives you a competitive edge.

Prepare for Success

To prepare for an international studies degree, high school students will want to take a foreign language as well as have advanced placement (AP) credits. International subjects are common interests for our majors.

Your First Year

As a first-year student, you will take courses in a foreign language, world regional geography, peoples of the world ,as well as courses toward your general education. These courses will prepare you for your sophomore experience, which will include the Model United Nations experience. Your junior year will be spent abroad taking courses in your language and specific to your region of study. You will return in your senior year prepared for our capstone experience to finish your degree. With the right planning, you will finish your degree in four years.

What You Can Do

University of Idaho international studies alumni can be seen in a variety of jobs. If you want a career in a foreign service agency, state government or nongovernmental organizations, the PeaceCorp or teaching in your language, the international studies degree is for you. Many of our alumni go to graduate school, law school or into the military as officers.

Opportunities

You can find our graduates in many federal and state agencies or at the Nature Conservancy.

Current Research

The Martin Scholar program provides an opportunity for students to work with an individual faculty member who is a specialist in the current research projects. We provide funding for students who have researched global health policy, conflict resolution, land management, UN peacekeeping and the francophone world. This is a unique opportunity for our undergraduate students, and the knowledge and experience gained from it can really set you apart from those of other institutions.

Activities

You will have an opportunity to become part of the International Affairs Club, which is well known for organizing the early Oxfam Hunger Banquet as well as the International Dance Festival. Club members also meet with Martin Forum speakers to learn firsthand from specialists in the international field.

Hands-On Experience

Each spring semester, faculty associated with the Martin School of International Studies teach a senior seminar on International Policy Formulation. This serves as the "capstone" to a senior's academic experience at the University of Idaho and exposes students to the nuances of formulating policy. Work is directed toward the production of a white paper, which is a comprehensive document commonly used by both governmental organizations and nongovernmental organizations to state their policy goals. Topics of the white paper have included:

• Illegal Immigration and Human Smuggling: Central America and Mexico
• Proposal for Bolivian Access to the Sea
• Policy and Management Strategy for the Aral Sea Basin Ecological Disaster
• Integration of Immigrant Children: The Example of Germany’s Public School System
• Development Initiatives and Poverty Reduction in Ecuador
• The Coca-Cocaine Industry: The Andean Region and The United States
• Drowning in the Desert: International Relations between Turkey, Syria, and Iraq regarding the Euphrates-Tigris River Basin
• Environmental Protection and Conflict Alleviation: The Prokletije Mountains