International Studies

An interdisciplinary program designed to prepare students for international leadership roles in the 21st century

International Studies is a comprehensive course of study which offers a major (Bachelor's Degree) and a minor. The program encourages its students to think both globally and across disciplines as they seek to understand the dynamics of a global society. The vitality behind this program comes from experienced faculty members who offer courses in several disciplines. During their program at SUNY Fredonia both majors and minors in International Studies interact with the Office of Study Abroad Programs, with the Department of Modern Languages, are exposed to a variety of academic disciplines and research methodologies, have the opportunity to join several campus student groups, and attend countless cultural events.  In addition to providing students with knowledge, research experience, and critical thinking skills in a cooperative and interdisciplinary learning environment, the program also provides the intellectual foundations required in the global job market and for admission to graduate school. This rigorous course of study prepares students for careers in education both in domestic and the international arenas; with local and federal governments in the sectors of policy analysis, public affairs, diplomacy and national security; with non-governmental organizations and humanitarian agencies; the curriculum will also satisfay those seeking positions in international law, media, entertainment and tourism industries and global business. Proficiency must be demonstrated in a foreign language equivalent to a two-year course of study. More advanced study of a foreign language is strongly encouraged. Students must gain international experience through a study program abroad or an international internship.

What is New?

STUDY ABROAD SUMMER 2012 AND J-TERM 2013

Several courses and study trips are being prepared. To know more, attend the Fall Study Abroad Fair on campus.

For more information, please contact SUNY Fredonia Office of Study Abroad Programs, LoGrasso Hall: Click Here

A valid passport is needed to travel abroad (including Mexico and Canada). The Post Office branches, including those in Dunkirk-Fredonia area, will handle passport applications. The entire process can take more than 6 weeks.

International Resources

  International Volunteerism, Internships, Scholarships, Careers: A World of Opportunities

 Breaking News

 Announcing the U.S. Department of State Student Experience Program (formerly known as the U.S. Department of State Internship Program).

This program offers U.S. citizen undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to participate in 10-week, unpaid internships that provide intensive educational and professional experience within the environment of America's principle foreign affairs agency.

The unpaid internships are available at many of the over 265 U.S. embassies, consulates and missions to international organizations around the world, as well as at the Department of State in Washington, D.C. and other locations throughout the U.S. Participants gain first-hand, hands-on experience, and learn the realities of working in – and with – Foreign and Civil Service professionals who are at the forefront of America's diplomatic efforts.

As a Student Experience intern, you may have the opportunity to:

Participate in meetings with senior level U.S. government or foreign government officials;
Draft, edit, or contribute to cables, reports, communications, talking points, or other materials used by policy makers in furthering U.S. foreign policy objectives;
Help organize and support events, including international and/or multi-lateral meetings and conferences on critical global issues;
Contribute to the management and administration of the Department of State and America's foreign policy; and
Engage directly with U.S. or foreign audiences to promote U.S. foreign policy and improve understanding of U.S. culture and society.
So consider spending your summer 2013 with the U.S. Department of State, witnessing and participating in the formulation and implementation of U.S. foreign policy, working closely with the U.S. diplomats and civil servants who carry out America's foreign policy initiatives. You'll not only have an experience of a lifetime, you may even earn educational credit.*

* Applicants who are selected for a U.S. Department of State Student Experience can contact the selecting bureau, or the central Student Programs office, if they require further details about the program to support their request for academic credit.

Please visit http://careers.state.gov/students/programs for more information about the Student Experience Program, and to start the online application process via USAJobs. Please note that the deadline to submit completed applications is November 2, 2012.

We appreciate your interest in a career with the U.S. Department of State.

Visit our forums if you have any questions, or to search for topics of interest. The forums can be found under Engage on the careers.state.gov website. You can also search our FAQs for more information.

U.S. citizenship is required. An equal opportunity employer.

Alumni News 

 See where some SUNY Fredonia graduates with a degree in International Studies are working now!

Ford Foundation; The Freedom House; The World Bank; Teaching English Abroad; The Jamestown-Post Journal; Public Libraries; Homeland Security; Environmental Organizations, Federal Government Agencies, Non-Profit Organizations, City Councils, Media Organizations.

Several are enrolled in graduate programs both in the United States and abroad in fields such as International Development, International Relations, History, National Security, International Education, Middle East Affairs, Russian Studies, Latin American Studies, and Law. 

A number of graduates are interning with humanitarian agencies, some are candidates for Fulbright Fellowships, while others are being prepared to take positions with the U.S. Foreign Service.