Why is international experience valuable for History Majors?

What classes can I take abroad?

When should I go?

Where can I go?

How can I afford it?

How do I get started?

What better way to experience and learn by living and studying in another region of the world? Experience what it is like to be a minority, gain more cultural perspectives, and make a connection with a variety of people from all around the world. Take the chance to develop yourself and your career prospects.

79% of people in the United States agree that students should have a study abroad experience sometime during college, but only 1% of students from the United States currently study abroad each year. Do you want to be the top 1%? Study Abroad!

Why is international experience valuable for History Majors

• Go beyond the classroom with culture, food, and history
• Examine the cultures and traditions up close!
• Complete an internship or service-learning experience for hands-on work.
• Immersion in a host country is incomprable for to experience what you're studying
• Develop career skills and contacts
• Learn more about diversity
• Take courses not offered at IPFW 
• Gain a rich understanding of a certain area or subculture
• Be able to visit that monument or talk to people who've been through what you're studying in the classroom

The Government Supports Students Studying Abroad

 "Studying abroad isn't just an important part of a well-rounded educational experience. It's also becoming increasingly important for success in the modern global economy."  - Michelle Obama, January 19, 2011

First Lady Michelle Obama spoke on the campus of Howard University on January 19, 2011 about the 100,00 Strong China Study Abroad Initiative. The initiative is a national effort designed to increase dramatically the number and diversify the composition of American students studying in China. The Chinese government has already committed 10,000 “Bridge Scholarships” for American students to study in China. The initiative also seeks to develop specific opportunities and funding sources for underrepresented students to study in China. 

What classes can I take?

 Students will find a wide variety of courses offered throughout the world.  With careful planning, students are able to transfer courses back to IPFW to fulfill degree requirements.  Elective classes are often easier to transfer back, but students are still able to fulfill degree requirements abroad.  Some students also choose to take the opportunity to complete an internship to enhance their resume and boost their professional skills and contacts.

Upper-level History Electives can often transfer back to fulfil degree requirements, especially the Topics courses.  

What type of programs are there?

• Focus on a theme such as Baltic Studies 
• Intensive Langauge & Culture programs 
• 1-2 courses in a language + English courses 
• Intern or volunteer for credit in History

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When should I go?

That depends on you!  IPFW students can study abroad any summer or semester after completing two full semesters on a college campus.  For History Majors, the best time to go may be junior or senior year.

Where can I go?

Below are featured programs but there are many other programs also available around the world. 

With ISEP Exchange - Pay IPFW Tuition, Housing, and Meals and study at one of the following schools: 

Featured ISEP Exchagne Programs:

Univ. of Malta* Discover the heart of the Mediterranean Sea on the largest of the Maltese Islands. With over 7,000 years of history and culture Malta is described as “one big open-air museum” because so much of its past is visible today. Visit the Megalithic Temples which are the oldest free-standing structures in the world, or let your imagination wander as you consider whether Malta could truly be the location of the mystical lost city of Atlantis. The Maltese have one of the highest standards of living in the Mediterranean, and the official languages are Maltese and English making conversations with locals both easy and interesting.

Keimyung Univ., South Korea : The beautiful Keimyung University is the perfect study abroad option for a student to immerse themselves into the traditional Korean culture - there is even a traditional village on campus. Located in the third largest city in Korea and only an hour and a half commute from Seoul, Keimyung University boasts a prime location. With a variety of English course offerings and an excellent Korean Language Program, students have the opportunity to truly get the most out of the classroom experience. Keimyung also offers a variety of cultural experiences which include free Korean culture classes and field trips. Students spend days touring historical sites as well as visiting hi-tech companies such as POSCO and Hyundai motors. Keimyung University is guaranteed to immerse students into Korean culture and reward them with rich experiences and lasting memories.

CUHK* Hong Kong: Experience the perfect blend of East and West in the bustling metropolis of Hong Kong. CUHK professors and students come from all corners of the world. Courses are available in the arts, business, engineering, sciences, and social sciences fields. Particularly recommended for students interested in Asian, Chinese, and international studies. CUHK also offers many cultural activities including Tai Chi classes, field trips, and part-time teaching opportunities.

Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz, Austria: Named both a "Cultural Capital of Europe" in 2003 and a "City of Culinary Delights," Graz is the perfect place to start your European adventure. Its six universities help make up a city with more than 44,000 students and Graz’s "Old Town" is one of the best-preserved city centers in Central Europe. The birthplace of Arnold Schwarzenegger, this modern student city is not just for history buffs. Students can study in both English and German, as well as take courses at the Technical University of Graz, to round out their academic experience. Activities for international students also include excursions to nearby countries, hiking trips and a student mentoring program.  Got questions? Contact an ISEP Student Ambassador who studied at the Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz.

Univ. of Latvia Latvia, on the Baltic Sea, shares borders with Estonia to the north, Lithuania to the south, and Russia and Belarus to the east. In territory it exceeds Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland. It is the central and strategically most significant part of the Baltic States, with a population of 2.5 million people. As a result of the intense Russification during the Soviet occupation from 1945 to 1991, ethnic Latvians make up only 56 percent of the population. Riga, its capital, was founded in 1201 and is by far its largest city; it is also one of Latvia's major ice-free seaports that handles considerable shipping to and from Russia.

The field especially recommended for ISEP students is the Baltic/Latvian Studies Program. It is taught in English and includes a Latvian language course. It covers Latvian literature and anthropology/cultural studies (focusing on Latvia); other topics include history and economics of Latvia and the Baltic region.

Univ. of Ulster*, Northern Ireland: The university headquarters are located to the north of Coleraine, a pleasant, medium-sized market town, situated about 90 minutes by train from Northern Ireland's capital city, Belfast. The countryside here is beautiful. Views from the student lounges and cafes overlook rolling green hills and the lough. The surrounding farmland and forest parks, the River Bann that borders the campus, and the beaches of the north coast offer opportunities for hiking, fishing, boating, and surfing. The campus is in a bit removed from the town, but frequent buses run to the city center or to the coastal towns of Portstewart and Portrush, which are popular among students for nightlife. Tourist attractions such as The Giant's Causeway and Bushmills are only a few miles away and other sights throughout the rest of Northern Ireland are also easily accessible via public transportation. More information about the Coleraine campus is here.   Summer Program in Irish Studies also available.

Univ. of Johannesburg, South Africa The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is a premier city university located in South Africa. It shares the pace and energy of cosmopolitan Johannesburg. Noted for its strength in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, UJ offers a comprehensive menu of programs and is committed to delivering outstanding higher education. The university embraces South Africa's rich histories, cultures, religions, races, genders and social and economic classes and languages. With a focus on identifying research areas, community engagement, and a commitment to internationalization, UJ addresses the challenges of the 21st century by combining the best of university and vocation-oriented education. Most interesting for study abroad students would be Africa Diplomacy and International Relations, Political Studies, Management and Accountancy, Physics, Entrepreneurship Development, Visual Identities in Art and Design, Education Rights and Transformation.

UJ RAG (Remember and Give) provides a good opportunity for service learning and volunteering in the communities in and around Johannesburg. UJ AIESEC also provides opportunities for short term and long term internships opportunities for all students on campus.