Global Bachelor's Program

The GW Global Bachelor's Program is an exciting opportunity to make study abroad a central part of your undergraduate degree. The Global Bachelor's Program was designed for top students in the Columbian College, Elliott School and the School of Business to spend multiple semesters abroad as part of their GW studies. Participants will leave GW with significant international experience having explored and learned to adapt to diverse social, cultural and academic situations in at least two countries outside of the U.S. Students will study their own major from leading scholars at GW and abroad and will encounter a broad international perspective. They will learn how to communicate with others from different cultural backgrounds while establishing a network of colleagues around the world. Successful completion of the program will earn students a Global Bachelors designation on their GW transcript. 

The Global Bachelor’s Program begins with a first semester abroad cohort experience during sophomore year in one of two fascinating cities: Shanghai, China or Belfast, Northern Ireland. Students choosing to focus on Peace and Conflict Studies will spend the first semester of their sophomore year at Queen's University Belfast (QUB). Students choosing the Shanghai option will spend the Spring semester of sophomore year at Fudan University. All students must take a core course in their first destination and must also complete a series of three one-credit courses offered over three years. These are designed to engage students academically and to help students prepare, engage and reflect upon their global experiences.

After the first semester abroad, Global Bachelor's students will choose two additional international experiences. One semester must be at an approved study abroad location somewhere else in the world (that is, not in China for Shanghai students or not in Europe for Belfast students). The second experience may be 8 weeks dedicated to a full-time international internship during the summer term or during a semester of leave, or a third semester of study abroad at any GW-approved location. Students must apply to the program in the spring semester of their Freshman year. Courses other than the required, cohort course will transfer for GW credit towards majors, minors and electives.

Belfast

Students in Belfast will study in classes with Northern Irish and international students at Queen’s University, a top urban research institution, renowned for its programs in fields from Irish Studies to film, history, and science. The required core class PSTD 3191 The Northern Ireland Conflict and Paths to Peace uses the Northern Irish Troubles as a case history to examine principles of peace and reconciliation across the world. Students will live in dorms on the QUB campus in Belfast, a vibrant and growing city and currently the number one spot in growth of visitors in Europe. 

Shanghai

Students in Shanghai will study in English with Chinese and international students at Fudan University, ranked one of the top 5 universities in China. The core class, Survey of International Economics (ECON 2180), taught by GW Professor Steve Suranovic, examines current international trade conflicts and explores China’s role in the international economy. Students will live in shared apartments in central Shanghai with close proximity to some of the city’s most exciting neighborhoods.

The Global Bachelor’s program includes several additional course requirements. Students must complete the Global Bachelor's Sequence, a series of three one-credit courses offered over three years designed to help them prepare for, engage, and reflect upon their global experiences. In each of the cities chosen to start the program, students will take a core class together.   In Belfast, students will take Peace and Conflict Resolution, using the Troubles as a case history to examine principles of peace and reconciliation across the world. In Shanghai, students will take a course in Economics. GW Professor Steve Suranovic will teach the course at Fudan.

Program requirements for Belfast and Shanghai:

Belfast

First Year

• IAFF 2040 - Global Inquiries (1 credit) – Taken after admission to the program

Sophomore Year

• Cohort Semester Belfast
• Course in Peace & Conflict Resolution

Junior Year

• IAFF 2040 - Global Investigations (1 credit)
• 2nd Study Abroad Semester
• 3rd Study Abroad Semester  OR 8+ Week International Internship=

Senior Year

• IAFF 2040 - Global Insights (1 credit)

Shanghai

Sophomore Year

• IAFF 2040 - Global Inquiries (1 credit)
• Cohort Semester Shanghai
• Course in International Economics

Junior Year

• IAFF 2040 - Global Investigations (1 credit)
• 2nd Study Abroad Semester
• 3rd Study Abroad Semester  OR 8+ Week International Internship

Senior Year

• IAFF 2040 - Global Insights (1 credit)

Students must apply to the program in the spring semester of their Freshman year. Courses other than the required, cohort course will transfer for GW credit towards majors, minors and electives.

Individual School Requirements

Program Finances

Program Leadership

Program Application

Semester in Shanghai

Semester in Belfast