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 during the Sophomore year in either of two fascinating cities:

Belfast -  Students choosing to spend the first semester of their sophomore year in Belfast, Northern Ireland, will study Peace and Conflict Resolution together as a cohort at Queen's University Belfast (QUB).   Global Bachelor’s students will take classes with Northern Irish and international students. QUB is a top urban research institution, renowned for its programs in fields from Irish Studies to film, history, and science. Students will live in dorms on the QUB campus in Belfast, a vibrant and growing city  

Shanghai - Students choosing the Shanghai option spend the second semester of their sophomore year at Fudan University, one of the most prestigious universities in China. Global Bachelor's students will study in English alongside Chinese and international students. Students will live in shared apartments close to Fudan, while one of the world’s most dynamic international cities lies just beyond the campus gates.

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.

After the semester in either Belfast or Shanghai, 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 Europe for Belfast students). The second experience may be 8 weeks dedicated to a pre-approved 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.

Program requirements for Belfast and Shanghai:

Belfast

First Year

• IAFF 2040 - Global Inquiries (1 credit)

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 - Shanghai

Program Application - Belfast

FAQs for GBP 

Semester in Shanghai

Semester in Belfast